Oxford, MS Ordinances

[HighNear90]

Here's what the city ordinances say about Animals and Fowl (I've only copied the parts regarding chickens):

Chapter 18 ANIMALS AND FOWL
Sec. 18-1. Definitions.
At large means any animal that is not on a leash, behind a fence or enclosure, or under the control of a competent person.
Livestock means all domesticated animals, including but not limited to horses, cows, mules, goats, sheep, and pigs.
Owner means any person, firm, or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring any animal or fowl.
Wild animals means all undomesticated animals, including but not limited to lions, tigers, bears, wolves, apes, monkeys, foxes, baboons, skunks, raccoons, and opossums.

Sec. 18-2. Animal neglect and cruelty.
(a) Unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(8) Keep or maintain on their premises any pens, enclosures, or other structures for keeping of animals or fowl so as to become a public nuisance to persons residing in the vicinity thereof, nor shall they be maintained or kept in any manner as to cause bodily injury to any person residing in the vicinity.
(9) Sell chickens, ducklings, or rabbits younger than eight weeks of age in quantities of fewer than 25 to a single purchaser.
(11) Sell, raffle, offer or give as a prize, premium, or advertising device, or display in any store, shop, carnival or other public place, an animal or fowl that has been dyed or otherwise colored artificially.

Sec. 18-3. Removal and disposal of dead animals.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to place or leave any carcass of any dead animal or fowl of any kind on any street, alley, sewer, or ditch in the city or upon any public places or upon his own premises or the premises or land of any other person within the city.

Sec. 18-4. Keeping of hogs and wild animals prohibited. (This is the only section that specifically says you can not have a particular animal)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any hog or other swine within the city limits. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any wild animal within the city limits. A law enforcement officer, accompanied by the animal control officer, shall immediately impound any hog, swine, or wild animal found inside the city limits and any person found to be in violation of this section shall be liable for a fine of $100.00 and the costs of impounding the animal. The owner shall have five days to make adequate provision for housing the animal outside city limits. If the owner has not made adequate provision for housing the animal outside of the city limits within five days, the animal shall become the property of the city animal shelter and may be disposed of at the discretion of the city animal shelter.

Sec. 18-6. Animals, fowl not to run at large.
(a) It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any wild or domestic animal or fowl, except cats, to permit the same to run at large within the corporate city limits or stray from the premises of the owner or keeper or to go upon the premises of any other person unless such animal is attached to a leash or otherwise under the direct, physical control of such keeper or owner.
(b) Cats may run at large; however, all cats must be vaccinated against rabies pursuant to MCA 1972


So what do you think? Can I have a few hens in a chicken tractor?

This is my first post. I love this place!

--Leo

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

You need to check zoning ordinances and the Rules of Construction for both the ordinances and zoning code--it often says that unless something is specifically allowed, it is prohibitted. Chances are that zoning code differentiates where fowl may and may not be kept.