My chickens are going nowhere!!! "UPDATE" #2

Good luck in your fight!! I hope you win.

 

I wish you tons of luck

 

Are your coops permanent buildings? Though most of us don't do it, anytime you erect a permanent building you are supposed to have a building permit. Most people who live in the country are not bugged by it, but there is always somebody who likes to complain about something. From the sounds of it they probably complained about the noise and were told nothing could be done, so they complained to the health dept and zoning board.

If you lose build chicken tractors with wheels then they are cages tarp them with heavy tarp and you have chicken coops. You can get lumber tarps from flatbed suppliers they usually will make them to size for you. Metal carports are not considered permanent in most places. Fence the carport in and attach roll up tarps to sides and back to make a large legal coop. Nothing says you can't put your chickens under your carport of a night.

 

FIGHT IT!! The one who complained will surprise you. Its usualy the last person you think would complain. Between you and your parents I think you have enough. Go around to the people that you know have chickens and get them on your side then go to court. Its in there best interest to help you fight it so they should be with you. Good luck. Keep us up to date.

 

This "new law" you refer to, I doubt that it is or can be retroactive. Did you have your coops built before the "new law"? If so, I don't see how it can be enforced. Our township is zoned against mobile homes, however there was a mobile set and inhabited before the new regulations and the township cannot do anything about it until the current owners move or pass away.

 

I bet if you build a coop on a small trailer base, such as 4 wheeler trailer, you wouldn't need building permits. Either way, you will be in my thoughts, if I was you, contact your state Vet, NPIP testers, BYCers (just let me know and I'll send in a nice letter about the benefits of owning poultry), then contact animal control, selectmen/woman, and don't forget to contact those you vote for in the Senate. Work work work, keep at it and perhaps an easement on one piece of property or another.
There has to be a loop hole and you need to get your nose to the grind stone! Knock on the doors of the others that do not have permits...also local media, TV stations love this type of battles, especially where Easter is coming round...No eggs for the bunny!
Good luck!

 

Seriously check out the grandfather clause. That's probably your best bet. Let us know what happens. That really sucks that someone would do that. It's one of my fears living where I do on the fringes of the city but not in it. I know someday I'll face something like that after the city annexes us.