Has anyone ever had to get neighbor approval?

[meltedviking]

I live in the Twin Cities (Minnesota), and both Minneapolis and St. Paul require signatures from the owners of 75% of houses within 100 ft in order to get a chicken-keeping permit.

Has anyone ever had to do this? Did it work? Would a small ($25-$50) bribery help?

 

[sourland]

I had to do this when getting a variance for a kennel license. We had just moved into our home and the neighbors were great. Understand we are talking a rural area and basically country folk. The most telling comment from one neighbor, "Let me tell you how we do things here. That's your property. You do what you want, and if there is a problem I will come and talk with you about it." I went home and said to the Princess, "We have moved to the right place." 50 years in the same home and no neighbor problems. Hope yours are as nice. Good luck.

 

[meltedviking]

That's great. I would kill for neighbors like that.

Unfortunately, we will likely live in a urban area, and I'm worried that people won't be quite so understanding.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

That's great. I would kill for neighbors like that.

Unfortunately, we will likely live in a urban area, and I'm worried that people won't be quite so understanding.

Are you moving? If so keep an open-mind and look around, don't settle. You might find a place where chickens are allowed.

If not- you can keep coturnix quail in most cities. They'll give you eggs or meat. They're like mini-chickens.

 

[meltedviking]

I will be moving - I grew up in the area, live in a more rural setting now (with our three chickens) and will be headed back to the Twin Cities soon for a job.

I'll have to lease property (I've never owned a home), so my plan is just what you said - look around a bunch and hopefully I'll find the right place.

I'm just wondering if anyone has been required to get approval from neighbors and, if so, how they went about getting it.

 

[pinkmartin73]

Where I live there are no "requirements". If we want a few chickens or a couple of 4-h lambs in our yard we can have it. This area is very rural. However, because we were the newest residents, and our yard is skinny and deep, we talked to our neighbors anyway. It was the right thing to do. Our houses are reasonably close. We have good neighbors and didn't want to ruin that. We asked the two immediate neighbors. Promised no more than 20ish birds. Promised to send them eggs now and then. Promised no free ranging and completely enclosed run. And promised to do all we could to control flies and smell. (I can't say enough about deep litter method!) Our neighbors gave us their blessing. People usually are more open minded than we give them credit for. Good luck!