Update:
After reading through the zoning rules more carefully with a zoning specialist we decided to go ahead and get the chickens because we felt that the zoning clearly allowed chickens. Here is the zoning:
SECTION B. ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES 2, 3 1. Accessory structures and uses include, but are not limited to, the following: a. a private greenhouse, b. a barn, shed, tool room, or other similar building or other structure for domestic or agricultural storage, c. keeping of domestic animals, but only for personal enjoyment, for household use, or for cultivation of the soil, and not including a commercial stable or kennel, d. incinerators incidental to residences and public or private institutions, e. storage of goods used in or produced by manufacturing activities, on the same lot with such activities, unless such storage is excluded by the district regulations, f. the removal for sale of sod, loam, clay, sand, gravel or stone in connection with the construction of a building or other structure on the same lot.
We had the chickens for a year before our neighbors got upset with us again for moving our own shed on our property to a different location on our property. They then complained to the zoning about the chickens and for some strange reason about a goat as well even though we have never had a goat. Because of the complaint the township told us we needed to file for a conditional use permit and present it at a hearing. We paid the $150 fee and applied for the permit. We did not feel that we legally "had" to apply. We were told by an attorney that under the zoning code we were fully within our legal rights to own the chickens and that the conditional permit did not apply to us. However, we decided to apply for the permit because we prefer to get things done the right way and not ruffle feathers along the way. The decision to apply for the permit worked in our favor and we were granted a conditional use permit to keep 6 hens. We had 6 neighbors in opposition (4 homes). The neighbors that started this whole thing could really only complain about our fence and shed and basically our presence on the property as a whole. Everyone else came simply because the zoning department placed a huge sign in our yard for a month about the upcoming hearing and some people (who can't even see our yard and 8 houses away) came simply because they did not understand chicken keeping and were concerned. Totally understandable and I hope to have the opportunity to educate them on back yard chickens so that the idea is not as scary. Most people who hear about chickens think about huge flocks, noise, lots of bugs and smells, which is not at all the case. However, I understand their concerns and am very open to dialog and addressing any concerns and answering questions. We are thrilled to have the permit and be fully legal! Anyone else in the township considering chickens, my advice is to not be afraid of the permit. Everyone at the zoning department was friendly and helpful and although I still don't think that I "had" to get the permit, I am glad that we did and would advise others to as well. We are grateful beyond measure to still have our girls!
