Pennsylvania, York County, help me change zoning to allow backyard hens!!

[EarthyMomma]

Hi, My name is Erin and I am a resident in New Freedom Borough, in southern York County, PA. I have 2 hens, and was under the impression that since chickens, specifically, where defined as small animals, that I was allowed to have them on my 1/3 acre lot.

To not get too wordy here, I am at the point now where I am about to go in front of the Planning Commission (Monday, Oct 28) to present a proposal to allow hens on properties less than 1 acre, with the reasonable restrictions that seem to have worked in other similar situations.

I just started a Facebook group call Backyard Chickens in New Freedom Borough. Please join! Regardless of your physical location, we need support and advice from folks who have made these strides! Please let me know if it will not let you request to join and I will see what I can do to change it!

The whole of our story is on that page but if you are curious and not on Facebook, I am happy to give the details on this forum! Please chicken lovers! Help the cause! My girls only have until November 7th before they have to leave us...maybe forever

Thank you all!!
Peace, Light, and Hens!
~Erin...aka EarthyMomma

 

[george girls]

same problem in langhorne...agghhh!! how do we change the laws?

The pennsylvania right to farm act states ....
Pennsylvania Right to Farm Act (3 PA. STAT . §§ 951-957) (Current as of July 2009)
§ 951. Policy

It is the declared policy of the Commonwealth to conserve and protect and encourage the development and
improvement of its agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products. When
nonagricultural land uses extend into agricultural areas, agricultural operations often become the subject of
nuisance suits and ordinances. As a result, agricultural operations are sometimes forced to cease operations.
Many others are discouraged from making investments in farm improvements. It is the purpose of this act to
reduce the loss to the Commonwealth of its agricultural resources by limiting the circumstances under
which agricultural operations may be the subject matter of nuisance suits and ordinances

§ 953. Limitation on local ordinances
(a) Every municipality shall encourage the continuity, development and viability of agricultural operations
within its jurisdiction. Every municipality that defines or prohibits a public nuisance shall exclude from the
definition of such nuisance any agricultural operation conducted in accordance with normal agricultural
operations so long as the agricultural operation does not have a direct adverse effect on the public health
and safety.
(b) Direct commercial sales of agricultural commodities upon property owned and operated by a landowner
who produces not less than 50% of the commodities sold shall be authorized, notwithstanding municipal
ordinance, public nuisance or zoning prohibitions. Such direct sales shall be authorized without regard to
the 50% limitation under circumstances of crop failure due to reasons beyond the control of the landowner


Any lawyers out there with Chickens!!!!! Seems like the law encourages Urban farming.
There is no threat to public health safety. Those that don't wash their hands are!

let me know how it goes.