Help!! I was told rid of my hens!

[PoultryPedia]

Thanks for posting the link! It indicates that a permit is required, but doesn't give any info about permit cost, etc. Do you know where to find info about that?

LATER EDIT--I'm seeing Section 19.24 is referenced. Will continue researching.

Do you know of anyone else in your neighborhood or another R1 neighborhood that has chickens? They may know ways to work around. Also, Section 19.26 provides for you to have a zoning exception if people around you have similar exceptions.
But, I wouldn't tell city about other chicken owners without talking with the people and carefully reading related rules, because you might endanger their ability to keep their chickens.

 

[XHippieChickX]

OMG, this is so stupid. A permit? For raising CHICKENS? Ok, this is...I am devastated. Ugh, stupid chicken laws.

 

[PoultryPedia]

If you are in the unincorporated county surrounding Chico,
Per reference from gryeyes (THANKS, gryeyes!!!!!!!!!!) see Title 8, Chapter 2, Zoning. Specifically: Sec. 8-2.2411. Keeping animals in certain zones.
http://www.yolocounty.org/Index.aspx?page=432#Title 8
(c) Regulations regarding the keeping of
animals in residential zones. The keeping of
animals in the Residential Suburban (R-S),
Residential One-Family (R-1) Residential One-
Family or Duplex (R-2). Multiple-Family
Residential (R-3), and Apartment-Professional
(R-4) zones shall comply with the following
regulations:
1) Small domestic animals. Small domestic
animals are allowed as follows:
(i) Up to four (4) small domestic animals may
be kept on any parcel smaller than or equal to
10,000 square feet in size. For parcels that
exceed 10,000 square feet, up to six (6) small
domestic animals may be kept. Immature
animals not yet at the age of sexual maturity shall
not count against the total number of animals
allowed.
(ii) The fencing and enclosure requirements
set forth in subsection (4) of this subsection shall
apply to small domestic animals.
(2) Large domestic animals. Large domestic
animals shall be allowed as follows:
(i) The minimum lot size for the keeping of
any large domestic animal shall be no less than
one acre.
(ii) Animals may be kept in numbers not
exceeding the allotment of Animal Density Points.
A property one acre in size shall receive 25
Animal Density Points and shall receive 5
additional points for each additional one-fifth (1/5)
of an acre. Any combination of the following may
be used:
(ff) Fowl, including chickens, turkeys and
ducks, but excluding geese and
peacocks (which constitute wild, exotic,
108
dangerous, or prohibited animals), shall
count for 1 point each.


I'll check back in here to see the latest later today.

 

[EggSpudition]

Hi! You might try looking up your local sustainable living/locavore group sites. They may have some literature or an advocate with can help with your situation. Good luck and I'm sending you good juju! Your neighbor should be ashamed of themselves for being such a uptight---

 

[thedudeabides]

Here is the letter I received last Saturday.

 

[PoultryPedia]

Thedudeabides--THANK YOU for providing the letter & other helpful info!!! That really helped in tracking down answers.

I called the Planning Office and got info on more legal specifications, etc. The long and short of it is that under current regulations, yes, it would cost over $1,400 to apply for a Use Permit in your R1 neighborhood in Chico. This is to cover cost of holding a public hearing that is required, checking over requirements being satisfied, etc.

The city said the zoning ordinances are designed to preserve both the urban nature of the city, and the rural lifestyle surrounding it. It said that it is aware of the growing interest in local production and sustainability, and society's perception shift of well-kept chickens as being acceptable urban additions.

In light of this, they said the city will probably be reconsidering the regulations regarding urban chicken-keeping. They said it would be very expensive for an individual to propose a change in zoning regulations at this time, but the city will be doing an overall update of its zoning ordinances in about a year.

It would be very helpful for residents to contact the Chico City Planning Office at (530) 879-6800 around this December to ask them about progress on the revision of zoning regulations, and ask how you can give input on chicken-keeping issues.

I SO wish there were a way to avoid this barrier, but there doesn't appear to be at this time. Fees can't be reduced because there is too much expense involved in current approval process, Zoning Admin is very unlikely to be willing or able to make an exception because other residents have in the past been required to get a Use Permit for farm animals, etc.

I hope you can find a good home for your hens! I hope you and others will voice your opinions when the zoning ordinances are being revised. It sounds like there is a good likelihood that they might be favorably changed if people contribute.

Best wishes!

An FYI: Info on Use Permit fees and application, and other Planning Services info can be found at http://www.chico.ca.us/planning_services/fees_and_forms.asp

 

[shay20]

have a freind house them until things go over, it is only 2, will some one help you out?

 

[Tylt33]

thedudeabides- I am also in Chico, and am looking at getting chickens (already have ordered them). I just bought my first house, and the previous owners had chickens, so I think I'm safe. I actually grew up within a half mile or so of my current house, and know of two other people that have chickens. One person has a coop fully visible from the street. They're all R1 as far as I know.

In looking at the code:

"19.76.040 Animals and fowl.
A. Household Pets. Household pets may be kept as an accessory use of residential
property, provided they are kept in a humane and sanitary manner and in compliance
with the provisions of this section."


Can you try claiming they're Household Pets? I mean, you have TWO hens, it's not like you're running a production farm. And keeping chickens as household pets is not uncommon. Buy some of those ridiculous (sorry, lol) chicken diapers and chicken saddles and parade your hens down to City Hall to file your appeal. Give them links to BackyardChickens, MPC, etc.

 

[Tylt33]

Quote:
Oh, and for part B of that:

"B. Requirements.
1. The area proposed for the animal to be kept is in compliance with Subsection F
(Other Animals), below;
2. Bulls, cows, goats, hogs, horses, pigs, and sheep shall not be kept within 50 feet
of any dwelling or occupied structure on neighboring properties; and
3. Fowl shall not be kept within 20 feet of any dwelling or occupied structure."

They're telling you you can keep fowl as household pets, but not within 20 feet of your house, that's why you have a coop.

 

[Tylt33]

Quote:
Look at page 112... Household Pets are permitted in your zone. I really think that's the angle you need to work, as page 111 looks like it is intended for farmers. I think this is a case of "spirit of the law" versus how it is written. It looks like the way the code is written you are permitted to keep fowl as household pets, but not allowed to keep them within 20 feet of your house, thus you need a coop, however, they're still "household pets".