Nothing in Ordinances about chickens being prohibited, but Permit and Zoning office say no.

[ViviChicky]

Hi, Everyone. We are a family that is very newly venturing into the wonderful world of backyard chickens. However, we've had a door slammed in our faces. Why would our city ordinances be all clear, but the office people say no way? Here is a link. If that doesn't work, please visit www.pinellas-park.com and go to Municipal Code under Quick Links Any help is much appreciated as I really don't want to do this illegally. Thank you!

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=14223

 

[Back2Roots]

Hi, Everyone. We are a family that is very newly venturing into the wonderful world of backyard chickens. However, we've had a door slammed in our faces. Why would our city ordinances be all clear, but the office people say no way? Here is a link. If that doesn't work, please visit www.pinellas-park.com and go to Municipal Code under Quick Links Any help is much appreciated as I really don't want to do this illegally. Thank you!

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=14223

Hi. I read the Municipal Code and Ordinances from the link you provide, and it looks pretty clear to me: the way I see it is that as long as you keep your chickens properly contained on your property (e.g., coops and run, or fenced in), you are not breaking any laws. Did you show a copy of the Code and Ordinance to the person you were speaking to at the office? It could be that they didn't know, therefore said "no", possibly in order to avoid actually looking into it, gambling that you wouldn't press them for proof that chickens were not allowed? I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me that a public document posted on a municipal website should be accurate, and should take precedence over someone at the office who hasn't done his or her research, IMHO. The way I read it, keeping chickens is legal in your municipality.

 

[ViviChicky]

Hi. I read the Municipal Code and Ordinances from the link you provide, and it looks pretty clear to me: the way I see it is that  as long as you keep your chickens properly contained on your property (e.g., coops and run, or fenced in), you are not breaking any laws. Did you show a copy of the Code and Ordinance to the person you were speaking to at the office? It could be that they didn't know, therefore said "no", possibly in order to avoid actually looking into it, gambling that you wouldn't press them for proof that chickens were not allowed? I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me that a public document posted on a municipal website should be accurate, and should take precedence over someone at the office who hasn't done his or her research, IMHO. The way I read it, keeping chickens is legal in your municipality.

Thank you. I agree and we've decided to go for it! Our coop arrives on March 9th!

 

[bj taylor]

print the ordinance off & have it handy. when any of them challenge you, show them the ordinance (don't give it to them - tell them it's on the web). tell them when they can show you the illegality of it - you will comply. until then, you're in the law. also, watch the city council meeting agendas. they may try to change the ordinance to meet their wishes.
good luck

 

[chfite]

There has been more than one occasion when a municipal employee interpreted something about an ordinance and gave out inaccurate information. I find it best to go straight to the actual document for information. In the long run, the actual ordinance will be the determinant, not someone's interpretation.

Chris

 

[TXchickmum]

You may run into an issue with the zoning or land use ordinances. It may depend upon the particular "zoning" area (designated farm, rural residential, single family residential, etc.) in which you reside. The animal codes only require that fowl cannot run at large, however, are fowl permitted within the zoning area? They may attempt to enforce the following: "No building or land in the *whatever* District shall be used, and no building shall be hereafter erected, structurally altered or enlarged, except for the permitted and conditional uses listed below. The uses listed as conditional uses below may be permitted if their site locations and proposed development site plans are first approved, as provided in the procedure for approval of conditional uses under Section 18-1531 "Conditional Use Regulations", of this Article" - which could technically include the building of a coop structure. -would be pretty tacky, but they may attempt such. -best of luck!!! -hope that everything works out in your favor!

 

[Back2Roots]

You may run into an issue with the zoning or land use ordinances. It may depend upon the particular "zoning" area (designated farm, rural residential, single family residential, etc.) in which you reside. The animal codes only require that fowl cannot run at large, however, are fowl permitted within the zoning area? They may attempt to enforce the following: "No building or land in the *whatever* District shall be used, and no building shall be hereafter erected, structurally altered or enlarged, except for the permitted and conditional uses listed below. The uses listed as conditional uses below may be permitted if their site locations and proposed development site plans are first approved, as provided in the procedure for approval of conditional uses under Section 18-1531 "Conditional Use Regulations", of this Article" - which could technically include the building of a coop structure. -would be pretty tacky, but they may attempt such. -best of luck!!! -hope that everything works out in your favor!

Good point.