Experiences with town zoning not allowing chickens?

[quiltymare]

The real trick here is to research your breeds and don't tempt fate! Backyard Buddies and I both live in the great suburban sprawl on smallish lots. We have both successfully kept chickens for over a year.

In my case, I have bantam cochin hens that are quiet and can't fly. No one even notices them...

Now, my Seramas are kept in the garage because they can be a lot louder.

Also, keep things really clean...

we call it flying in the feathered underground!

Also... you said you live in Portland? There is a huge city chicken movement there. go to http://www.geocities.com/thecitychicken/chickens.html

I'll bet you'll find some help there...

 

[SeaChick]

Well I wish you guys were right, but I believe the correct way to read that is:

the keeping of farm-type animals, including but
not limited to horses, ponies, cattle, pigs and fowl (is prohibited, and also) the keeping of dogs, cats and rabbits for commercial purposes and other uses offensive and detrimental to the neighborhood are prohibited.

I talked to the lady in charge of code enforcement in person and that's what she implied. I told her that they would be pets.The way it is worded seems to me to say that all "farm-type" animals are prohibited, and also that even non-farm animals like cats/dogs/rabbits that are raised for commercial purpose is prohibited.

Don't you think?

 

[SeaChick]

thanks quiltymare.... my Portland is the Maine one, though. No chicken underground here.

 

[quiltymare]

Stacy, I agree with your interpretation... but I don't think all is lost yet.

Go check out that City Chickens website...

You'll find a way!

 

[MoonGoddess]

Though wording IS everything. I think, yes..that was probably the way it was SUPPOSED to be read. But it wasn't stated clearly. A lawyer would be able to fly through that mischoice of words. Really, that's all a loophole ever is.

But again, it is your decision, and the fact you seem so hesititant should probably tell you that it makes you too uncomfortable. Never go above your own comfortablity level. Disappointment is a fair exchange, for a situation that could possibly cause you more unhappiness in one way or another.

 

[SandraChick]

ok....still a loophole in my opinion.

Just because it was intended to say it one way...does not mean it is READ that way. As someone already said, a lawyer could walk his way right through it.

What I would do is talk to your neighbors...have them sign a letter saying they don't think that you keeping pet chickens is offensive nor detrimental to the neighborhood. Then keep those letters on file.

If you have to go to court later.....voila.... "Mr. Judge, I read the code, so I checked with the neighbors and no one though it was offensive or detrimental."

IN the meantime...do as was suggested. Pick your breeds carefully, keep everything tidy, and bribe neighbors with eggs!

TADA!

Sandra

Edited to add.....now while you have those chickens....take pictures of your kids holding them, walking them on a Leash in the back yard and some pics with "outfits" too. Then you'll be able to prove they're definitively pets. "Mr. Judge" have you ever seen chickens on leashes or in outfits on a farm? These are not farm animals they are pets!".

 

[Backyard Buddies]

The website that Mary (Quiltymare) provided gives a long list of city regulations regarding owning chickens in city lots. I see Portland, ME is listed as "not allowed." But, maybe you don't have to do this alone and shoulder the entire cost on your own. I cannot believe that you are the only person in your area that wishes to own chickens on a city lot. Perhaps you can seek out others who want to join you in changing city hall. I believe doing so is especially effective if children are the ones leading the charge.

I once read in a book that politicians can be recognized as the ones walking about town with an index finger in the air. They're the ones checking to see which way the wind is blowing. Thus, if you wish to change city hall, you start by changing the direction of the wind.

 

[chickaddicted]

Sadly this country is all fowled up...sorry couldn't resist!!

But really, 50 or 60 yrs ago it was common to have a few chickens, even if you lived in a town/city, now people are so separated from reality they think chickens are bad/dirty/evil! I've had more problems with domestic animals (dogs and stray cats) than any "livestock" animals I've ever had.

It gets really goofed up to when you live in the burbs like I do. If I lived in the city limits chickens, INCLUDING roos would be ok....however living on a large lot in a subdivision means living life undeground.

So goofy...if we all had a few chickens think how much less bug spray we'd need...fewer skeeters, ticks and other ickies that can make us sick or even kill us...!

Just keep it subtle talk to the neighbors and make sure the chicks are well kept and don't get off your property.

Good Luck!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

I think there's a loop hole there that a Langshan could run through...
If you do a bit of research on lawyers, you might be able to find one that might make your case for you pro bono.

 

[SeaChick]

Hi everyone:

I've had a couple of lawyer friends look at it and they agree with me that it's clearly stating NO CHICKENS.

However they have advised on the wording change that's needed.

I have checked the zoning ordinances of all of the surrounding towns and cities and they all have more lenient, or at least more loop-hole-ridden, ordinances than South Portland, wouldn't you know! It looks like even chi-chi Cape Elizabeth next door has no obvious exclusion. Also, a neighboring town may be on the verge of amending their code after an incident last fall where complaints against a bee-keeper and chicken-keeper made the news. I think they are going to allow him to have 4 hens, so he'll have to get rid of some, but that's something at least.

My 10-yr-old daughter is going to write a letter to a city commisioner this weekend and see if we can get some interest in this through her and/or the press. She'll get signatures from the neighbors and collect lots of facts off the web to back it up. Do you folks have some photos of cute chickens-as-pets with kids that she could use???

Really silly. On one side of our small lot is a neighbor with three dogs in a tiny house that rarely get walked. One is a beagle and howls like crazy. Very annoying. On the other side of me the people have a cat they claim they can't force to use her litter box. She likes to use my yard and garden instead. So every time I garden I find sticky stinky cat poop. I have tried the sprays and predator-urine powders to no avail; finally resorted to letting her poop in the flowers but putting 100's of bamboo skewers point-up in the veggie patch to keep her out of there. I've begged the neighbors to at least put her litter box outside for her or SOMETHING but they won't do anything about it.

And we can't have 4 hens!!!

Stacey