How do I find the city laws/ordinances in my local?

[borja010]

Hi everyone! Very informative group

I'm just wondering, who do I contact or where do I look for info regarding keeping chickens in my area? I live in a small city in Los Angeles county and haven't had any problems yet (we just have 2 hens so not too many people know I'm sure) but have been thinking about getting the girls some fertile eggs since they've been so broody lately. I'm just worried if I get a rooster crowing before I can place the chickens in good homes animal control will come and take all which would not be good

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Anna

 

[Drafthorsegal]

It should be a matter of a simple phone call or two.... if you can stand wading through the phone tree. Just call your city hall and ask the operator who you talk to in order to get a copy of the laws for keeping chickens.... or google your city's municipal website. Hopefully since its LA and not a small town in the middle of no-where they have all their ordinances online and save you the phone tree dance.

 

[Chickenmaven]

You need to read the ordinance yourself. This forum has been chock full-o stories of people being misinformed by gov't employees.

I found my township ordinances online & read EVERY line. In the first couple of pages, I read a definition of a farm as 40 acres, minimum(!) THEN, I read all the exceptions to the rules & found in statute 19 (or something) that one exception to the 40 acre rule was a collection of animals kept for recreational or educational purposes. I homeschool: That's educational!

 

[Drafthorsegal]

Yup, Chickenmaven is totally right. Get yourself a COPY and read them - either paper or online. Most people, even officials, don't know whats written in them, how things are defined, etc. Don't bother asking someone what they say, especially in your area - LA and surrounding cities. It's pretty amusing down there how each little city is different. Some even allow horses in the back yard, while others won't let you have more than one dog. Crazy stuff.