Need help designing an irregular-shaped covered run

[aart]

It can’t be moved, sadly. It’s 5x7 and 8 feet tall, with a shingle roof. And there are fences or walls all around the property, which is on a slope, so we can’t get any kind of machinery in. Damn, I’ve really painted myself into a corner here!

You can't get an exception after that fact?

 

[K0k0shka]

I was kinda wondering about that.

Given how many people have their coops right along the property line (I’ve seen them), all I can conclude is that they didn’t speak up and the town is closing their eyes. Now I wish I hadn’t asked... but I didn’t want to make it worse by being “on the wrong side”...

Same property line as coop is on?

Yep, same line. All the other neighbors are fine with the coop. This neighbor just moved in so I haven’t talked to them yet. My hope is to reach an agreement to be okay with each other’s structures both being too close to the line, call it even and call it a day...

 

[K0k0shka]

You can't get an exception after that fact?

I can, but it requires a survey which is $750, plus a lengthy process and other fees. The inspector said he’ll check if a survey has already been done on this property. I hope he says yes.... that’s just too much money for me right now, especially just for some chickens!

 

[aart]

My hope is to reach an agreement to be okay with each other’s structures both being too close to the line, call it even and call it a day...

Will probably have to have the authorizes OK it......or may not if they are 'blind eyeing' other in fractions.

What a clustertangle!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I can, but it requires a survey which is $750, plus a lengthy process and other fees. The inspector said he’ll check if a survey has already been done on this property. I hope he says yes.... that’s just too much money for me right now, especially just for some chickens!

Are you a homeowner or renting? Is your neighbor an owner or renter? If your neighbor is the homeowner you may be able to get them to agree to a waiver. Unfortunately, renters have fewer options.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Are you a homeowner or renting? Is your neighbor an owner or renter? If your neighbor is the homeowner you may be able to get them to agree to a waiver. Unfortunately, renters have fewer options.

This is Massachusetts. This is why I waited until I moved to a “right to farm” community to get chickens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

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.

Yeah this is why zoning ordinances are such a pain (and why when ppl ask "are chickens allowed?" I suggest they look at ordinances for supplemental/additional buildings as well as the animals ordinance - coops, stables, barns etc aren't always addressed under the animal section).

I really hope you can get an exemption. I assume the coop is built into the ground somehow? Is there any way to disassemble it in order to move it?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Yeah this is why zoning ordinances are such a pain (and why when ppl ask "are chickens allowed?" I suggest they look at ordinances for supplemental/additional buildings as well as the animals ordinance - coops, stables, barns etc aren't always addressed under the animal section).

I really hope you can get an exemption. I assume the coop is built into the ground somehow? Is there any way to disassemble it in order to move it?

I think that’s the best approach. Dealing with local authorities here can be scary.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

all the paths from here are long and expensive, or impossible (moving the coop).

Moving a coop that size is not that hard. Do you have a picture of it so I can give you some ideas?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Most towns in Massachusetts rely on GIS maps. They rarely budge on these property lines that are defined on these maps. I’ve butted heads over property lines on my former property and trust me, you will lose in the end.

I don't know about MA, but GIS maps do not accurately designate property lines, at least from my experience.