I hate living in the city

[1stepcloser]

No, he didn't mention who complained. It was anonymous and he said it could have been someone driving past (although I doubt it). The guy said there was a code that said any LIVESTOCK must be kept 250 feet from any given direction from the property line. Then he said he was wrong and it was 200 ft. After doing a little googling I have found LIVESTOCK is normally defined as horses, mares, mules, jacks, jennies, colts, cows, calves, yearlings, bulls, oxen, sheep, goats, lambs, kids, hogs, shoats and pigs.
http://definitions.uslegal.com/l/livestock/

My city defines FOWL as a domestic animal. http://www.montgomerycountytn.org/county/animal_control/forms/Animal_Control_Regulations.pdf That same link gives the definition of a nuisance, none of which apply to my chickens.

The ONLY mention I can find of FOWL is this: Clarksville City Statute Section 3-104: Keeping in Such a Manner as to Become a Nuisance: No animal or fowl shall be kept in such a place or condition as to become a nuisance either because of noise, odor, contagious disease, or other causes. http://www.montgomerycountytn.org/County/animal_control/regulations.aspx


We spoke again today and he was said if they were in a garage no one would know...but then if they were discovered later on it could be a problem. Poor guy. I think he was trying to drop hints to go underground. I however want to fight this and win. Chickens are not defined as livestock and what I think we have here is a lack of education combined with miscommunication. I am reading everything I can find on this site about getting ordinances changed right now.


And I was joking about the 12' fence. Sort of. I mean I WISH I could have one but not gonna happen.

 

[1stepcloser]

OK. Finally found what he is talking about: http://montgomerycountytn.org/County/building_codes/forms/bc/zoning_regulations.pdf

This district is intended to provide for the spacious arrangement of single familydwellings and single family mobile homes on lots containing one acre or more. The intentof the district is to prevent lands currently being used in this manner from being resubdivided into lots smaller than those in existence and thereby protect the physical andgeneral well-being of areas already established.

PERMITTED PRINCPAL AND ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURE
1) Agriculture uses and their accessory structures as defined in Article II, provided that no buildings to be used for the keeping of poultry or farm livestock shall be located closer to any property line or dwelling than two hundred (200) feet.

and Article II says: AGRICILTURAL USE: This includes the growing of raising and maintenance of poultry and other livestock, horticulture, viticulture, floriculture, forests and timber, and any processing of products raised on the premises. Commercial feed lots, the raising of furbearing animals, riding academy, livery or boarding stables or dog kennels are not considered to be normal agricultural uses.


So...lemme get this straight. In one area is defines them as livestock and in another area they are defined as domestic animals. In MY world, they are my pets. Does anyone have any suggestions? If my coop is the issue, I have a nice, large deck that can be fenced in and the chickens can not have their own structure but rather "live" with us? Good grief!

 

[rufus]

Be careful, be very careful. The BTK killer was a compliance officer. Those types of jobs attract officious individuals.

Rufus

 

[CreleChick]

Just out of curiousity, how big is your yard? We had a "rule" that any coops had to be at least 40ft from any property line. Well...our backyard is less than 40ft by 20ft I'd guess. I have little chicky tractor coops everywhere. I invited all city officals to come to my house and they are welcome anytime to see how I'm taking care of them and see where things are. No one has come over hehe....

Do you have the 200 feet to spare and put a coop somewhere else? Do you have one of those decks with a crawl space underneath? Why not just wire it up underneath and call it a coop and turn them out later

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Is that the zone you live in? How large is your property? Look in your code under pets and see what it has to say. BTW, you mentioned them as food--if you meant eggs, that is probably ok, but if you meant also for meat, that would pretty much negate the pet argument.

 

[1stepcloser]

Quote:
YOU TOTALLY READ MY MIND!!! LMAO!!! I am putting up wire and then covering it with lattice this weekend! Since my "domestic pets" do not have their own structure it shouldn't be an issue?

My backyard is 72'x138'. There is nothing about the size of yard needed for domestic pets at all...so I am thinking my enclosed deck space is my best bet.

 

[CreleChick]

That's so funny. That's the first thing that came in my head. If they come back and say something just be like "What, you want me to take my deck down?" I didn't build another structure....

I think that's a good idea if you can do it. About how much head room do you have underneath your deck? I'm sure they would be fine under there. Just watch out for any weed killer or poison you may put down around the edging (I'm sure you've thought about this already) and if you have a basement or window underneath-close it! You may wake up in the morning to cackling under the house.

 

[Poliwag]

Quote:
I've got one of those... had to get rid of my rooster because of her

 

[Jonathanq1]

Do you have a set-up like this underneath your deck? If so can you post pics. I have actually thought about doing this myself.

Quote:

 

[CreleChick]

Quote:
I don't have one set up. My yard is barely 40ft by 30 ft! From the size of her yard it sounded like it was a property with a deck for some reason

I think it's a fine idea myself, and if I had a deck you'd be sure some kind of chicken thing-maybe the young ones? Would be going underneath it.