Help-Code Enforcement came by

[HannaLee]

I had a run in with code enforcement today. One of my hens flew over the fence and though we saw her go and retrieved her right away, the bad neighbor called code enforcement. We were given 72 hours to relocate them. I have a friend they can go to, but I want to change the city codes. I've been researching this site and others, and appreciate all your stories. I hope it will not be too much of a fight!

Here's the code they cite:

§ 6.16.015 Allowable animals.

The keeping of animals at each residence/ dwelling within the city limits shall not exceed two cats and three dogs over ten weeks of age.

(Ord. 08-02, passed 2-19-2008)

They say that excludes ANY animal, even parakeets and lizards, etc. and especially chickens. Can you believe that? How likely do you think it is that this can be expanded to allow backyard hens? How would I go about getting an extension for my pets?

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

Wow steep code enforcement ! Only cats and dogs insane. I myself actually moved so I could have my hens legally. I lived in a city that the law allowed them however people complain about anything they can.
I have no idea how to go about changing the law in your city. Sure someone will know here. I know alot of codes seem to be outdated. People tell people to go all green and then when they go green by having hens they complain. I think for now you will have to re-home then from there fight. You might also be able to find others people in your area to help you fight.

Good luck !

 

[tjweaver84]

If your town has a construction clause saying if the code doesn't speciffically list a use then it isn't allowed then yes you are in the wrong. But if they don't have a clause saying something to that effect then there is a lot of wiggle room. You should look up your town and county ordinances to see what they say. Just because that particular paragraph doesn't mention anything about chickens doesn't mean it isn't listed somewhere else in the code. If you say where you live many people on here will help you scour the internet for the applicable laws. Just because they say chickens aren't allowed doesn't mean they aren't allowed it means he thinks they aren't allowed. Just because he enforces the law doesn't mean he knows the law

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

The way it is prhased pretty much disallows anything except the two cats and three dogs mentioned. Your first step is to find out how many people have pets that are not on the allowed list: parakeets, hamsters, rabbits, canaries, cockateils, fish in tanks, ponds with fish, turtles and tortoises, snakes, lizards, etc. If it is pretty prevalent, as in most communities that a fair number of people have these disallowed pets, thats your starting point.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
x2

Then to really start the fun file formal complaints against those people start first with any lawyers, public officials, and professional people in your town.

That should get at least several council agenda items going.

This place needs its pot stirred.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
x2

Then to really start the fun file formal complaints against those people start first with any lawyers, public officials, and professional people in your town.

That should get at least several council agenda items going.

This place needs its pot stirred.

Don't leave out the pet stores; anyplace that sells pet products of any sort.

 

[Rozzie]

Hmm that would also disallow hermit crabs & pet rabbits (including house rabbits) to add to the list that was started above.

You'll have to see how they define "animal" too. It's possible it even means that a worm box would be illegal where you live.

Hmmm. If they did a poor job defining animal, it could even include insects, which means that people's fishing bait (crickets? mealworms? ) could be illegal.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Since you were so kind to point out "animal" definition as being a critical item in this ordnance I'd go so far as telling the Code Enforcement Officer if he lived in that town to relocate himself because the last I knew he too is an "animal" and not on the allowed list.

 

[ekemily]

where are you located? Maybe some other people near you are in a similar situation that can help/team up.

 

[HannaLee]

Quote:
Since you were so kind to point out "animal" definition as being a critical item in this ordnance I'd go so far as telling the Code Enforcement Officer if he lived in that town to relocate himself because the last I knew he too is an "animal" and not on the allowed list.

Exactly, the Fox and Rozzie! Besides the environmental benefits, I am going to argue against this idiocy. I plan to ask each councilman if his children have pets that fall into the illegal catagory. Of course, the councilmen likely do not live in city limits...

ekemily, I live in the Vislalia/Tulare, CA area. It's south of Fresno, smack dab in the agricultural center of CA. There are longhorn cattle less than a mile from me, and city limits is about a block and a half from my western property line. I wish I had this interest in homesteading when we we looking for our home. We certainly would have bought a different place.