Need help designing an irregular-shaped covered run

[K0k0shka]

I'm having a hard time figuring out who to ask about what part of the "code" applies to chicken runs, and what exactly (if any) regulations there are... The building code itself doesn't address chicken runs, and I'm not sure what else they classify as. Not a building per se, not really a fence either... Fences can't be more than 6 feet tall; this will be taller than 6 but won't be a fence exactly. Plus it will be within my property, not on the border like a fence. Footing information is for decks, fences and buildings (sheds, etc.) exceeding a certain amount of floor area, but the run is not a building, plus it's smaller than that, so technically not *required* to have footings... So not sure how deep I'm supposed to make them, and if anybody would care?

I asked local animal control, who oversee chicken keeping in my town. The lady said she doesn't know. I asked a local farm, which does educational work with the community. They have 40-ish chickens. The lady there didn't know either (she also insists a raccoon cannot kill a full grown chicken, so... not sure how much to trust her on chicken matters). What other authority should I ask? @DobieLover where do you check about your code and how it applies to chicken structures?

 

[aart]

Are there regulations applied to chickens in your area?
Sometimes they will state min/max sizes, set backs, etc.
If there are such regulations, those are the people I would ask about related building codes for coop and run.
Other than that, use common sense.

 

[AgnesGray]

I'm having a hard time figuring out who to ask about what part of the "code" applies to chicken runs, and what exactly (if any) regulations there are... The building code itself doesn't address chicken runs, and I'm not sure what else they classify as. Not a building per se, not really a fence either... Fences can't be more than 6 feet tall; this will be taller than 6 but won't be a fence exactly. Plus it will be within my property, not on the border like a fence. Footing information is for decks, fences and buildings (sheds, etc.) exceeding a certain amount of floor area, but the run is not a building, plus it's smaller than that, so technically not *required* to have footings... So not sure how deep I'm supposed to make them, and if anybody would care?

I asked local animal control, who oversee chicken keeping in my town. The lady said she doesn't know. I asked a local farm, which does educational work with the community. They have 40-ish chickens. The lady there didn't know either (she also insists a raccoon cannot kill a full grown chicken, so... not sure how much to trust her on chicken matters). What other authority should I ask? @DobieLover where do you check about your code and how it applies to chicken structures?

In my case, I had to contact the township building regulations officer who told me that anything agricultural as the coop apparently was, did not need a permit or require specific codes to be followed. Do you have a building regulations officer in your city/township/county offices?

We did start the not irregular part of our roof and can say.. the suntuf panels from home depot are great! We haven't had to cut them yet, but they seem to have enough flex to them that they will cut ok on the parts that need trimming at an angle.

 

[K0k0shka]

Are there regulations applied to chickens in your area?
Sometimes they will state min/max sizes, set backs, etc.
If there are such regulations, those are the people I would ask about related building codes for coop and run.
Other than that, use common sense.

Regulations are very loose and generous. No set backs required, because yards are already very small, so there's no room for setbacks. Number and type of birds and size of operation seem to be dictated by the general rule of "don't piss off your neighbors". So I guess I'll default to common sense and hope I'll be okay...

 

[K0k0shka]

In my case, I had to contact the township building regulations officer who told me that anything agricultural as the coop apparently was, did not need a permit or require specific codes to be followed. Do you have a building regulations officer in your city/township/county offices?

We did start the not irregular part of our roof and can say.. the suntuf panels from home depot are great! We haven't had to cut them yet, but they seem to have enough flex to them that they will cut ok on the parts that need trimming at an angle.

That's a good idea. I just called the building regulations office and they didn't know what to tell me, so they sent me to the town inspector (who's busy and not picking up, so I'll keep trying). Chickens are just a hobby around here, and a newly growing one, so most town officials still meet my questions with a confused "Huh?"

The suntuf panels are exactly what I want to get for the run roof! Glad to hear they've been working out well for you.

 

[AgnesGray]

That's a good idea. I just called the building regulations office and they didn't know what to tell me, so they sent me to the town inspector (who's busy and not picking up, so I'll keep trying). Chickens are just a hobby around here, and a newly growing one, so most town officials still meet my questions with a confused "Huh?"

The suntuf panels are exactly what I want to get for the run roof! Glad to hear they've been working out well for you.

I think the chickens will love having some light in the covered run.

It's funny because here was just the opposite. They just assumed that I would know how it works.... like everyone has chickens, right?? Haha... Where I'm from, the confused "huh?" look would be the look I'd be getting I'm sure. It's all relative, I guess!

 

[K0k0shka]

It's funny because here was just the opposite. They just assumed that I would know how it works.... like everyone has chickens, right?? Haha... Where I'm from, the confused "huh?" look would be the look I'd be getting I'm sure. It's all relative, I guess!

Oh definitely, it's all relative. I'm in the 'burbs, two blocks away from the city line, so chickens are quite exotic around here. I've spent so much time reading through this forum that, when I went to the chicken workshop at said local "farm", I almost couldn't believe what the lady was telling everybody! Raccoons are not a danger to chickens, advertising tiny prefab coops for way too many birds, etc... I'll probably be fine building my run, but I just wanted to do my homework first and check with the proper authorities juuuuuuust in case...

 

[K0k0shka]

Bad news.... baaaaaaad news But not where I expected it! Building inspector said run will be fine. Wohoo! But... the coop! Needs to be 8 feet from the property line, and mine is 1 foot from it! I specifically asked the animal control officer (who oversees chicken keeping and gives information and advice) about setbacks for coops, and she told me coops can go right by the property line because yards are small and people have no room for setbacks. So I thought I’d done my part and went and spent all summer building this damn coop. Inspector says she shouldn’t have said that. WTF!!!!!!!! He’s gonna think about this and see if he can come up with something, because all the paths from here are long and expensive, or impossible (moving the coop).
I want to cry

 

[K0k0shka]

P.S. I also asked around and lots of other people in town have their coops in a back corner by the property line as well. Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken up? That’s what I get for trying to be nice and play by the rules Except the rules are confusing and not clearly posted anywhere (neither the town info brochure on chickens, nor the town website, nor the workshop mentioned ANYTHING about coops and setbacks!!) I am pissed!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Bad news.... baaaaaaad news But not where I expected it! Building inspector said run will be fine. Wohoo! But... the coop! Needs to be 8 feet from the property line, and mine is 1 foot from it! I specifically asked the animal control officer (who oversees chicken keeping and gives information and advice) about setbacks for coops, and she told me coops can go right by the property line because yards are small and people have no room for setbacks. So I thought I’d done my part and went and spent all summer building this damn coop. Inspector says she shouldn’t have said that. WTF!!!!!!!! He’s gonna think about this and see if he can come up with something, because all the paths from here are long and expensive, or impossible (moving the coop).
I want to cry

I’m sorry. I know it’s a hassle but it’s been my experience in Massachusetts that there is always a setback of some sort. Even when installing fences you are supposed to allow 2 feet from the property line.