Indiana

[Badgerralph]

I live in an old subdivision in St. Joseph Co, IN. I am half a mile from City of South Bend who just passed an ordinance to allow backyard chickens. Limit 5 Chickens, no Roosters, etc... . I have been told by a county official that to raise a few chickens in the county, I need 5 acres. Really!!

 

[LisaKring]

Hello from Elkhart! So glad that I don't have that problem. We live on just under an acre. We talked to all of our neighbors and they are all fine with us having them. This is my first shot at this and am hoping to have lots of fun! Good luck to you.

 

[jbcmom]

I live in an old subdivision in St. Joseph Co, IN.  I am half a mile from City of South Bend who just passed an ordinance to allow backyard chickens. Limit 5 Chickens, no Roosters, etc... . I have been told by a county official that to raise a few chickens in the county, I need 5 acres. Really!!

I'm also in the stupid "county"! I joined a Facebook page South Bend Urban Chickens, and asked this verry same question! This is long, but here is the conversation hope it helps
Cris Diaz Anderson
We are getting our chicks on May 28th, I called today to see how I go about getting a permit, trying to do things the right way....because we are considered "county" and not in the city limits, we have to have at least 5 acres to have chickens!!!! Seriously?! Our neighbors 2 doors down have had chickens for years!! What should I do now?


Like · · Unfollow Post · Share · 17 hours ago

Robert Vandendriessche If your neighbors like you and you keep it all clean, and use common sense, nobody will say anything. Enforcement is complaint driven. No complaints=nobody cares
17 hours ago · Like · 1

Cris Diaz Anderson Awesome, thank you for you quick response
17 hours ago · Like

Steve Lesniak Cris, did you ask them where this rule is? People have been saying there is a 5 acre rule but nobody can prove it.
16 hours ago · Like

Cris Diaz Anderson I didn't no, maybe I'll call again and find out. I called the County City Building first, and they gave me the number for the Humane Society of St Joe County, she's the one that told me. I don't get it, but they will be well taken care of and I don't think my neighbors will have a problem. I don't understand what the differ
16 hours ago via mobile · Like

Cris Diaz Anderson Oops! Don't understand why we're different from the city! We can't even vote for mayor!!! How messed up is that!!
16 hours ago via mobile · Like

Steve Lesniak 90.08 ACREAGE AND ZONING.
Nothing about acreage:
Any person desiring to keep any domestic animals or fowl in the county must have the appropriate zoning of land upon which the animals would be kept. The maximum number of animals that may be maintained on the property shall be determined in light of current animal husbandry and veterinary standards. No shelter or feeding station for domestic animals or fowl closer than 50 feet to the adjoining property line shall be constructed after the date this chapter is in effect. Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the keeping of bees in a hive, stand or box located or kept within a zoological park, school or in a university building for the purpose of study or observation, as long as public safety is ensured. Search for yourself here: http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway....htm$f=templates$3.0&vid=amlegal:stjosephco_in
ALP
www.amlegal.com
Contains 2013 S-5 Supplement, current through: Ordinance 140-12, passed 11-13-20...
See More
16 hours ago · Like

Cris Diaz Anderson Thank you so much, I'm not going to stress out about it anymore
16 hours ago · Like · 1

Steve Lesniak we have people all around us with birds in clear sight. Complained to the Humane Society a couple years ago about the one house because the chickens were always in the street and some getting killed. nothing happened!
16 hours ago · Like

Cris Diaz Anderson I guess now I'm just glad we don't have a neighborhood association!
16 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

Joseph Caro Cris, my understanding was that the 5-acre rule was on the books for within the South Bend city limits (but now that ordinance has been amended). There never was an acreage limit for St. Joseph County in general. Each municipality would have (or not have) its own regulations. So, if you lived in the county you are all set, i.e. a 5 digit address. Anyone want to fact check me on this?
15 hours ago · Unlike · 2

Erica Garrett ^^ That's the rule I use too. I don't have 5 acres but I keep the coop clean, and my girls are well cared for. I asked all the neighbors, and they don't care a bit.
14 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2

Erica Garrett My property is fenced and so when I range the small flock they don't bother anyone at all.
14 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1


Options