Urban chickens in San Diego.

[jassdsu]

Hi Friends, i'm a newbie but reached out to you for support. Im battling the city and my neighbor right now over my four chickens.

THis article was written a few days ago regarding our dispute. I'm looking for some advice on how to challenge the city??

Feel free to post your opinion regarding the article at the bottom of the page. My complaining neighbor is the one posting anti chicken comments.

Take care- keep battling!!

COntrary to the article i still have my chickens!!

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/17/pet-chickens-city-have-neighbor-crying-foul/

 

[KensingtonHens]

Quote:
HI Jassdsu! I too am a newbie. We live in Clairemont and we're getting two chickens this Thursday. We are totally new to it. And...it was because of the article in the UT that we decided to get chickens!!

Would love to hear from and work together to get things changed! How can I help?

 

[desertdarlene]

Good luck on fighting this! I think the 50 foot setback rule shouldn't apply to one's own residence, IMO. I can understand the 50 foot rule from neighbors, but, as far as I'm concerned, you should be able to have chickens on your back patio if you want to.

I would like to be able to own ducks some day without having to buy a huge lot at California land prices. For me, I think San Diego should have a law similar to Long Beach in that you can keep two fowl with a 20 foot setback or as personal pets.

 

[KensingtonHens]

Quote:
I agree, now we have to change things. It's good to know about the Long Beach rule. That makes a good starting point for change.

 

[desertdarlene]

I think I re-read that Long Beach law and it's one fowl, but perhaps in San Diego it can be proposed for two fowl (ducks need another duck friend). At least, though, you get to keep one in Long Beach.

 

[LAFreewayChickens]

Two things.


1) If you want to try to fight the existing law (as opposed to arguing for a policy change), then you might try a legal theory based on "standing." The zoning law requires a certain set back to prevent any nuisance to neighbors. If you have complied with the set back regarding your neighbors' residences, then (the argument goes) none of them have standing to bring a complaint (because none of them is harmed in the way that the law is intended to prevent). As you note, YOUR residence is less than 50 ft., but as you also note, you are not complaining. (Obviously this is not the way the City is interpreting its regulations, but you might get a Judge to agree).

2) my understanding is that SD allows us to have 6 dogs on a lot (or perhaps any housing unit) without any regard to distance from neighbors' residences or size of lot. To me, it seems like a perfectly reasonable proposal to allow anyone to have the same number of HENS as dogs.

http://www.sandiego.gov/nccd/noise/animal.shtml

I'm all for changing the law... If you are a resident of the City of San Diego, would you be willing to do any of the following:

Make a call or write a letter or fax to your City Council member?
Visit your City Council member's office to discuss the issue?
Attend a public meeting to express your support for allowing a limited number of hens regardless of proximity to neighbors?

San Diego Outlaw Chicken Owners Unite!

 

[KensingtonHens]

I'd be willing to do these things..just point me in the right direction! I just go two hens and am scared to death of the neighbors finding out! I am pretty much 50 feet away from everyone except my own home and it's about 30 ft away. I'll subscribe tho this thread. Keep us all posted on what all we can do.