I just spoke to the zoning office...

[FourKnights]

I ask if there were any ordinances on raising chickens in my area. She said, "Yes, you must have 10 acres". I groaned. She told me that she knows of people who do raise chickens on less than 10 acres, but that I would have to go through the Michigan Right to Farm Act. I told her that I live on just under an acre and ask her if she knew of anyone else on less than an acre doing this. She said she knows of a woman who lives in a subdivision and has less property than I do and raises chickens. The key is to go through Michigan Right to Farm Act. How would I go about doing this? Is there someone to contact? We would really like to be able to have some chickens. We are in the Grand Blanc Township in Michigan.
Thanks

 

[Imp]

I wouldn't trust anything told to me. I would want to see the written ordinance. Perhaps the person you spoke with doesn't know what she is talking about.

Here's a long thread about the Michigan RTF. Maybe something here will help you out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/182280/michigan-right-to-farm-law-what-does-it-mean

btw Welcome to BYC

Imp

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Ten acres likely refers to commercial production (either egg or meat), but with commercial intent, MRTFA definitely governs. Keeping birds for ones own family is not covered by MRTFA, but is often allowed on much smaller properties.

 

[wingless]

FourKnights, try starting here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...o-farm-law-what-does-it-mean/590#post_9027892

You'll also find links in my signature line that might be helpful.

Good luck!

 

[Iamgrateful]

I ask if there were any ordinances on raising chickens in my area. She said, "Yes, you must have 10 acres". I groaned. She told me that she knows of people who do raise chickens on less than 10 acres, but that I would have to go through the Michigan Right to Farm Act.

I also live in Grand Blanc Township on over 4 acres of land and was told that I am not allowed to have ANY chickens unless we have 10 acres. We do anyway.....4 acres is plenty of space to have a few chickens.

I asked "What is a person to do with the land if they have 5-9 acres of property.....just mow it?" and she said "Yeah....I guess so!"

 

[ranger2974]

You can have them under the MFTFA. All you have to do is sell some eggs. So either sell some or put up a sign selling eggs for $20 a dozen. I live on a double lot (about half an acre) in Garden City and have 6 hens. They dont want you to but they cant stop you and they know it, they will say you cant, but if you stand your ground, you will be all right. Raising chickens for the eggs is a type of farming, but guess what, so is if you grow 1 tomato plant and sell a couple. Raising or growing any type of crop or animal that is intended for human use is considered farming, thats right out of the MRTFA and it doesnt say how big a farm has to be.

 

[Iamgrateful]

You can have them under the MFTFA. All you have to do is sell some eggs. So either sell some or put up a sign selling eggs for $20 a dozen. I live on a double lot (about half an acre) in Garden City and have 6 hens. They dont want you to but they cant stop you and they know it, they will say you cant, but if you stand your ground, you will be all right. Raising chickens for the eggs is a type of farming, but guess what, so is if you grow 1 tomato plant and sell a couple. Raising or growing any type of crop or animal that is intended for human use is considered farming, thats right out of the MRTFA and it doesnt say how big a farm has to be.

Yes, thats what I have heard as well. However, I've also heard people say that the interpretation is not clear and that the MRTFA only protects agricultural zoned areas that are near newer residential areas and does not apply to any residential zoned areas that have never been zoned for farming.

No one has said anything about our chickens as of yet so we will just keep them clean and deal with any issues if they ever come up.

 

[CaraBear]

Ranger2974 - have you successfully argued MRTFA in your city or against a citation? If so, how did you do it? I'm being told "no", and trying to figure out how to fight...

 

[ranger2974]

I had chickens last year got a citation and got rid of them. I have been working hard with the city council to get the ordinance changed, and next monday the 11th is a council meeting to discuss the issue. One city council member said that they were going to allow 3 hens per household. Well me and my wife went out and picked up 6 Rhode Island Red hen chicks the other day. I got a copy of the MRTFA from Michigan State University's ag dept. that was prepared by Dr. Gary Taylor who's is a former Legislative and Goverment Specialist from Michigan State University and Dr. Patricia Norris who is Chair in Natural Resorce Conservation and the break the Law down so its easier to understand and give actuall court cases and verdicts from the Michigan Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals who has the final say and in every case the city or town ship has lost. Its in plain black and white to the point that it would be just a waste of money for and city to try to challenge it. Of couse they will try to tell you some story about how it doesn't apply to you but if you have your stuff together and are willing to knock a few heads (if it came to that point) you will be victorious. They even Updated the law so the beginning June 1, 2000 they said and I quote "it is the express legislative intent that this act preempt any local ordinance, regulatin , or resolution that purports to extend or revise in any manner the provisions of this act or generally accepted agricultural and management practices. A local unit of government shall not enact, maintain , or enforce an ordinance, regulation, or resolution that conflicts in any manner with this act. So if the ordinance passes, cool. If not, they can write me a ticket if they want, even after I educate them, and I will let them know that they are breaking state law by writing this citation and I will inform them that any further contact with me regarding my flock will bring on a harassment law suit. I love having a lawyer in the family. So after all that being said, Nope I have not "yet" but I'm ready. I really dont think they will want to go as far as I am ready to take them if they do want to challenge this.

 

[ranger2974]

Heres that info if you havent seen it. http://www.animalagteam.msu.edu/uploads/files/20/Tech Bullitin Land Use.pdf