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Hi Mick,
Don't tell them you want to inquire about chickens. No need to raise any warning flags with any activists who might be working in the office. Ask them if your township is zoned for all USDA agricutural activities. Poultry is a USDA agricutural activity. If they say yes, then (later when you have chickens) try to get in your face, get the farmers on your side. They will let the office know in no uncertain terms they won't brook any interference with their livelihoods, ....even if the issue is poultry and they farm grains, dairy or beef. On another note, go to the county courthouse and see what your individual lot is zoned for. Don't mention animals of any kind. Once you find out, ask the folks helping you for a list of all the activities allowed on your lot by your lot's zoning. If they ask why you want to know, tell them the realtor never told you and you're curious. No need to tell them more.
Ok, by now you know the Township and lot requirements. If you live in a Borough, you need to check there too. By very careful how you approach it and don't mention poultry. Use cats instead as, "I am checking on if cats or other petsare allowed on my Borough lot." Then, most probably, they will read you the whole list of regulatiosn and rules, without you having to mention poultry. No reason to get some small town politics going where suddenly someone (with a vision of 100 dirty crowing roosters in their head) decides " Oh, we should ban chickens in the Borough". Then you have that fight to deal with too. Discretion is the better part of valor, here.
Best,
Karen in westrn PA