Need help designing an irregular-shaped covered run

[K0k0shka]

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.

I’m a homeowner. The neighboring house is a rental property but I don’t know who will be building - the renters or whoever actually owns it. I doubt renters would be allowed to build, but I don’t know.

 

[K0k0shka]

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

Nothing wrong with Massachusetts. This isn’t about farming - we are allowed to keep chickens, even roosters, which is generous for an urban area. This law is about accessory structures, and the problem is that the town isn’t disseminating information effectively and is giving people conflicting information. Where do coops fall in the classification of structures, how do the laws affect them, and how strictly are those laws enforced. That’s a town issue, not a problem with the state.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

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

That is true. However if the town or city decides that’s what they want to use, they can. The only thing you can do in that case is to have it surveyed. However, I don’t think a surveyor is going to get you an additional 7 feet. Dismantling and rebuilding is your best option.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Nothing wrong with Massachusetts. This isn’t about farming - we are allowed to keep chickens, even roosters, which is generous for an urban area. This law is about accessory structures, and the problem is that the town isn’t disseminating information effectively and is giving people conflicting information. Where do coops fall in the classification of structures, how do the laws affect them, and how strictly are those laws enforced. That’s a town issue, not a problem with the state.

Have you considered attending a town council meeting and voicing your grievances? In Massachusetts you have the right to do that. And by the way, chickens are livestock and in a right to farm community the regulations are different.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

That is true. However if the town or city decides that’s what they want to use, they can. The only thing you can do in that case is to have it surveyed. However, I don’t think a surveyor is going to get you an additional 7 feet. Dismantling and rebuilding is your best option.

In that case OP needs to go to the county courthouse and pull the deed. It should have a survey map or property line description. That's how I determined my property lines (25 acre tract), and when I realized that GIS is off. There was no survey map, but with the description and a measuring tape I was able to find the boundary markers.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

In that case OP needs to go to the county courthouse and pull the deed. It should have a survey or property line description. That's how I determined my property lines (25 acre tract), and when I realized that GIS is off. There was no survey map, but with the description and a measuring tape I was able to find the boundary markers.

But the GIS maps are not going to be that far off. She needs to be 8 feet from the property lines. She is currently around 1 foot each direction. Rebuilding is her best option. Also keep the coop under 8 x 8 feet. If any larger, you would need a permit for that. The run should not be a problem.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

But the GIS maps are not going to be that far off. She needs to be 8 feet from the property lines. She is currently around 1 foot each direction. Rebuilding is her best option. Also keep the coop under 8 x 8 feet. If any larger, you would need a permit for that. The run should not be a problem.

I think she can move it with a few inexpensive tools. I'd need to see a picture of the coop and yard layout to be able to see if I can help her.

 

[K0k0shka]

I don't think a survey, map or measuring tape would make any difference here. The property line is a chain link fence, it's pretty clear where it is. This is an urban area with small yards and fences, so the lines are pretty clear. So a survey won't help with that, but the inspector said it's part of the process of getting a legal exception and having the coop approved where it currently is. It's possible to do that after the fact, but you need a survey for that, and that's the big expensive roadblock on that path. The coop is 5x7 so I know I don't need a permit.

He said he'll call me tomorrow and let me know what he's come up with. I'll emphasize the fact that lots of people have their coops along the property line (I have literally seen them), and that maybe if nobody complains then it's not a problem......

 

[K0k0shka]

I think she can move it with a few inexpensive tools. I'd need to see a picture of the coop and yard layout to be able to see if I can help her.

I don't have a good picture of the whole coop right now, but I'll take one tomorrow morning. I don't have anywhere to move it to, though - there's a raised garden bed and trees in the way if I moved it directly out away from the property line, and on the other side of the garden there's a pretty steep slope... I'll need to find a way to get it approved where it is now.

 

[K0k0shka]

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?

Thanks! I hope so too. The coop is sitting on cinder blocks so it's not into the ground, but it's a very solidly built, very heavy structure with a shingled roof. I wanted to make it last, so I overbuilt it (also because there's a giant tree above it and I didn't want falling limbs to wreck it). So now it would be a nightmare to disassemble

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

I've lived in this area for 16 years now and all my dealings with local authorities so far have actually been very civil and polite. Nothing scary at all. People are nice and want to help. The inspector could've made a big deal out of it but he said he understands my concerns and will try to find a way to help me. I appreciate that.