Powder springs Ga

[Lemontea66]

Ok so I just found out that we now have an ordinance against chickens. I have had chickens here since 1977. The uniform ordinance code was passed in 2003. Now all of a sudden after 38 years I can't hace chickens. Any help?

 

[redsoxs]

Sorry to hear about your new law. You might post in the GA thread in this link - maybe a local has some tips. Good luck to you!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

 

[LoneOak]

I live in Lithia Springs just down the road from you or at least close. Where can I go and read about the ordinance that was passed in Powder Springs.

You say that the Uniform Ordinance Code was passed in 2003 is that the way it was before? If this was passed in 03 and it hasn't affected you yet, I wouldn't worry about it very much. I sure would like to know some more details about what is going on down the road from me. I'll do some Google searching in the morning and see what I can find out, I may have some friends that would like to get involved.

Since you have had chickens for so many years are you grandfathered in to where as long as you were abiding with the laws before the new stuff can't affect your situation now.

Give me all the information you've got.

Thank you!

 

[LoneOak]

All I can find is the minutes for the city council meetings and on July 16,2013 they discussed an ordinance ORD 13-012 that would allow backyard chickens under certain conditions. I am still searching for the outcome of the discussion.

 

[LoneOak]

Well, I found this page which has references to poultry ordinance in article 9 and article 5,
http://www.cityofpowdersprings.org/Search/Results?searchPhrase=Poultry ordinance&page=1&perPage=10,
but I'll be darned if I can find that reference in either article. From here on out I'm just confused. Can someone help relieve the confusion? Thank you!

 

[TheGeekySheep]

It looks as though the city of Powder Springs adopted Cobb County's animal control ordinance as the controlling ordinance in 2006. See here:

http://library.municode.com/HTML/12469/level2/COOR_CH4ANFO.html#COOR_CH4ANFO_S4-1ANCOPRAD

Cobb County's ordinance has this to say regarding poultry and zoning, see part 4:

http://library.municode.com/HTML/10...COCOGE_CH134ZO_ARTIIADEN_DIV3BOZOAP_S134-94PO

(4) Authorize upon appeal in specific cases related to the minimum lot size of two acres required to maintain poultry as pets or food source. "Poultry" meaning a female pullet or hen of the Gallus gallus domesticus; also referred to as backyard chickens which are or may be raised for the purpose of providing food or companionship as a pet considering the following minimum conditions:

a. Written consent or opposition of adjacent property owners, including the homeowners association, if applicable;
b. The poultry shall be kept/maintained within a fenced area;
c. Coops, or other buildings used for the poultry shall be located at least ten feet off any property line and/or in compliance with the accessory structure requirements in each zoning district;
d. The owner of the poultry shall keep the property maintained in a fashion that eliminates odors, pollution or other negative effects resulting from the poultry;
e. The poultry shall not cause a nuisance, as defined by state law;
f. There shall be a maximum ratio of one bird per 5,000 square foot of lot area on any lot less than two acres;
g. The slaughter of any hen on site is strictly prohibited;
h. The fee for the variance application shall not exceed $150.00;
i. The duration of any variance approved for poultry as pets or food source shall not exceed two years; renewable for subsequent two-year terms thereafter;
j. Any variance approved for poultry as pets or food source shall be considered by the board of commissioners in accordance with section 134-271

I understand this part of the ordinance was passed very recently as a result of efforts to get it changed. You can read more here:

http://www.backyardchix.org/cobb-county/variance-details/

All that being said, I still find the new ordinance too restrictive. I wouldn't go about paying a fee to get a variance or restricting yourself if no one has brought it up. Like Lone Oak said, you should be grandfathered in if you've had birds this long. Is someone giving you a hard time about it?

 

[Lemontea66]

Yes I received a notice from code enforcement to remove all chickens from property within 10 days or be cited.

 

[LoneOak]

Who turned you in? Did they just ride by and see them? Did you attend a meeting and somehow let it get out that you had chickens.

The people at the Backyard Chicken Alliance that GeekySheep posted a link to may help you with this situation.

That is just so wrong, I see some people getting voted out next election. Make your voice HEARD LOUDLY!!! GET INVOLVED!!!!

 

[TheGeekySheep]

Wow, that is seriously Not Okay. Please get in contact with Joseph Pond at the Backyard Chicken alliance (mail AT backyardchix.org) or through this website:

http://www.backyardchix.org/about-us/sample-page/

If he can't assist you he may know someone who can. It sounds like you might need to get a lawyer involved. I would find out when the ordinance *against* chickens was passed and I'm betting it was long after 1977, and thus the ordinance should not apply to you. Have you told the city how long you've had your birds?

 

[chickortreat]

I think garbage like this ought to require your name to be posted if you're the tattler. Then you could go and settle with the jerk face to face. It's so easy to call an anonymous tip hotline when you know you're identity is withheld. Of all the cowardly nonsense....."Yes, my neighbor has some chickens....." Wow, folks cast real short shadows in some towns.