Opinions on Interpretation of Code

[jakeolsen2219]

Ok, so first here are some snippets of my code for my city:

On Fowl:
No person shall keep or maintain any mature chicken, turkey, duck, goose,
guinea, pigeon or other poultry or fowl in any residential area within the corporate
limits of the city unless the pen, poultry house or other structure designed to
confine or shelter such poultry or fowl is so located on such tract that the nearest
portion thereof is not less than fifteen (15) feet from the line of adjoining property.

So that looks like a big thumbs up since my property is 70' wide, and there are no neighbors behind me, just the next street, hidden away behind my privacy fence.

On Noise:
(3) causes a disturbance by excessive barking, caterwauling or other
noisemaking;

So it looks like as long as I had only a single rooster, it might be possible if he isn't excessively chatty. I guess it would be hard to prove that he was noisier than the neighbor's barking dogs.

On slaughtering:
No person shall kill or slaughter any animal within the corporate limits of the city
intended to be used as food for human consumption except for a person's own
use.

Looks like I'm good there as far as personal use.

and finally, roaming:
(c) Livestock and poultry. No person shall permit any cattle, horses, swine,
sheep, goats, rabbits or poultry to run at large within the corporate limits of
the city.

This is the one I have the question about. Do you think I can get away with some free ranging? I have six foot privacy fence all the way around the yard. The rule is very vague, and I take "at large" to mean it's definition: having escaped, especially from confinement.

So what do you think? I know my town has pretty lenient ordinances for a group of 34,000. I just wanted to know if anyone else is reading that rule the same as me? or is it just wishful thinking(reading)?

 

[Lady Henevere]

I agree with your interpretations. The law about the noise seems a little loose; if your neighbors complain, that could be sufficient to say that the rooster "causes a disturbance," so you may want to be careful (free eggs to the closest neighbors, perhaps?). I would think that "at large" means outside your property, so free ranging within your yard should be fine. A specific definition may be somewhere in the code.

 

[jakeolsen2219]

I understand about the "disturbance" that you mention. I guess if that is my top worry, then I am pretty lucky.

As far as a definition for "at large," I searched the whole document and could not find one. Yay! a loophole!

I am going to try my best to not be bother to the neighbors. I feel it is much easier to get along. I have considered putting together a letter explaining the chickens, and giving a copy of the ordinance. Basically I want the neighbors to know that they are free to ask me about any concerns before having to file a complaint. It is basically a really nice way of saying, "Hey, I have chickens, and meet all of the requirements to do so. Feel free to complain, but get used to the idea."

 

[DouglasB]

As to the noise, most places have restrictions with regard to time of day, and acceptable decible level.
At large I would think meant on anyones property but your own. A 6 foot fence may not keep them in without clipping wings.
Setback from the property line of 15 feet, pretty clear, although wont help with anything. All criteria being met, your neighbors could still make life hell.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

At large is defined as unconfined, unleashed, etc. Able to roam freely onto others property and cause harm to persons or property or become a nuisance in any form.

It's an all encompasing definition that is basically saying keep your animals confined to your property unless it is leashed, bridled or carried by you.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I am going to try my best to not be bother to the neighbors

Then do not have a rooster.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

This is a thread from more than 10 years ago, resurrected by some dark art. Also, the original poster's interpretations were wrong. As they have not posted in most of 12 years, likely we need not correct them now. Let this thread descend back into the depths where it belongs.

anyone know if there's a way to tag this as #ANCIENT ???

 

[Brooks_]

This is a thread from more than 10 years ago, resurrected by some dark art

Similar threads bandit strikes again!