I am so sad!

[chzheadgrl]

When we bought our house three years ago, the previous owners had chickens and a huge chicken coop. SO, considering we live in the country and own one acre, we didn't think twice of getting our own chicken. This morning I called our township to see if we were allowed to get a potbelly pig. To my surprise, we have to have TWO acres in order to own ANY animal besides dogs, cats and other household pets...

Please explain why I have to have two acres to have chickens? I'm not trying to get a 1500 pound horse! How is there any comparison? Oh, and the best part is that I can pay $500 to arrange a "hearing" with the zoning board to get permission. However, whether we would win or not...we still have to pay!

I am just irrate and devistated that we have to give our pet chicken away. Thankfully, my in-laws can take him but it's so sad for my family.

 

[wegotchickens]

I'd keep the chicken, keep my mouth shut, and act like the previous owners left the chicken behind. That way maybe you can be 'grandfathered' in since they clearly had the coop longer than the ordinance?

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Time to move to a more leniant place. Those who don't like animals, don't like themselves!

 

[PineappleMama]

^ Same here. That structure was already on the property, makes sense that a lone chicken might be there too.

And, obviously that coop was there the last time they did a tax evaluation, so it's not a New Structure or anything.

Yup, I definitely play dumb.

 

[georgialee]

I agree with the others...keep your chicken and play dumb if anyone brings it up.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Where I live, they just recently passed an ordinance that we can have backyard chickens, but folks had them before it was legal anyway. My advice would be to have several chickens so that you can give eggs to your neighbors and keep them happy and on board

 

[illegal avian]

Viva la Anne Frank!

 

[Buugette]

I'm illegal... I just bribe neighbors with eggs and will make sure I never have to have the building inspector our to my house for anything.

 

[chzheadgrl]

I called my State Rep this afternoon just to see if their was anything that could be done or what steps I could take to be legal. They told me the state is not allowed to change the townships ordinance and I would have to hire a lawyer to take that step. This whole situation just completely sucks! According to the regulations, if I get caught, I have to pay a $600-$1000 fine...!

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Actually that State Rep is full of it.

They can make it a right and then the township is SOL.


You might want to look into the grandfathering provisions of both your states zoning regulations and those of the county and township you are in.