Should I apply for a permit or not?

[LambsBYChicks]

SO, I already have my heart set on owning a backyard flock. I have my breeds picked out and they are all coming to the our local farm and garden store in one week!! I plan on keeping them confined with two or three options for pastures/paddocks and maybe letting them free range while we are out in the yard. Here is my dilemma, my city has not been extremely fond of backyard flocks, but finally allowed them last summer, but the kicker is you are supposed to apply for a conditional use permit. I am afraid that if I apply, they will deny my request because of how close the vote was to even allow them on lots an acre or larger in the first place? I thought about just asking my neighbors on either side of us what their thoughts were and if they would be ok with the idea. Or do I apply for the permit, if I get denied (not based on my neighbors), do I just do it anyway. Someone in our neighboor does have chickens that free range. We live in a neighborhood where I would say about 80 percent of the houses are on at least an acre. My yard is tree lined and even in the winter when there are no leaves, I can't see any neighbor houses from our yard.

 

[gocgo]

Talk to the neighbors first. If they don't have an issue with it, no rush on the permit as they aren't going to turn you in...hint (make sure to offer them some eggs). If they do object, just tell them that you are going to apply for a permit and depending on the outcome, you'll make a decision.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Our first birds ever were on a 4-H exemption. We join the 4-H club and they gave us the paper work and we didn't need to ask the local gov. Someone called code enforcement and the officer saw our 4-H permit stapled to the coop and said.. nice birds, have a nice day.

 

[LambsBYChicks]

Our first birds ever were on a 4-H exemption. We join the 4-H club and they gave us the paper work and we didn't need to ask the local gov. Someone called code enforcement and the officer saw our 4-H permit stapled to the coop and said.. nice birds, have a nice day.

Unfortunately we do not have children that are 4-H age yet, otherwise I would consider that route. What size lot do you have?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Unfortunately we do not have children that are 4-H age yet, otherwise I would consider that route. What size lot do you have?

That was years ago and it was 125' X 140'. Now we have a farm far from that subdivision.

 

[Ggg]

Talk to the neighbors first. If they don't have an issue with it, no rush on the permit as they aren't going to turn you in...hint (make sure to offer them some eggs). If they do object, just tell them that you are going to apply for a permit and depending on the outcome, you'll make a decision.

Keep in mind your current neighbors could sell and move in the future and New neighbors could have an issue. Well that reminds me I have an open permit that has to get closed out from two years ago.

 

[birdofhermes]

what happens to the roosters in this situation?

 

[pvaldes]

> My city allow flocks but only if I apply for a permit, should I apply?

Hemm... Yeees?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Cover your bases. Get that permit.
I can hear my neighbors birds from down the street and around the corner.
I am certain they can hear my loud mouths too.

All it takes is one to complain and a future permit attempt could be denied simply because you broke the rules this time.

 

[gocgo]

Funny story...sort of. A couple of days ago I let my neighbors know that I'd have eggs for sale. One of them informed me that I am in violation of our neighborhood covenants that specify no farm livestock or poultry. They didn't care...but someone might. Kind of depends on the neighbors.