Zoning Laws for Backyard Chickens - opinions sought!

[clewcrew]

Thinking of raising "quiet" hens in York County, South Carolina that is unfriendly to backyard chickens. We are thinking of doing so using a 10'x4' Chicken Tractor Coop. If we get busted by our nosy "neighbor" Gladys Kravitz (remember Bewitched), then we can move the coop to a friend's farm about 5 miles away. Thoughts?

We live in a rural community in York County, SC on just a little over 1 acre and zoned residential (only AGC - agriculture zoned properties > 5 acres are permitted). In this backwards community of which the York County Council has the sense of a cent - they will not permit the raising of any backyard animals, except dogs and cats. The zoning laws are written such that if the animal, such as a chicken isn't mention, then they are forbidden.

We know this to be the case because Chapter 155 of the zoning ordinance is the source. We also are acutely aware of this zoning law because we took on the council to fight for the right to have backyard bees (like so many communities - even in NYC allow). The irony is York County lies to people who consider moving here that it is Agriculture Friendly.

Anyone else raising chickens "illegally" in York County, SC (i.e. Lake Wylie, Clover, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, etc)?

Here is the link to zoning laws for anyone in York County, SC: http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway....ates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:yorkco_sc

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Tessvas]

Hi, my name is Tess and I just moved to Fort Mill SC 6 months ago and I was told by the realtor that we were permitted to have chickens prior to purchasing the home. Please tell me where you found your information, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[Chickensaregood]

Well I know where you are at because I did get busted but I don't know which neighbor and it was not because they were a nuisance or loud or they smell but someone just didn't like that I had them so they called the county on me and I have to get rid of hen's within a month's time or I will get fined $470.00 dollars a day until I get rid of them which upsets me and my family because we love our birds like pets but this doesn't matter to York county. So we are trying to find a good home for our birds you know some one who wants Six Rhode Island reds that are laying.

 

[FlyWheel]

Do you live in the county or one of it's cities? The ordinance does allow exceptions if the local area (i.e. city) allows chickens. Rock Hill allows a few providing they are housed no closer than 35 feet from any residential domicile designated for human habitation, and Clover allows up to four hens within city limits if the lot is over 10,000 square feet (just under 1/4 acre) in size.

No roosters in either case.

Clover:

Section 8.5:
7. Micro-farms are allowed in R-20, R-12, R-7 and R-5 zones provided the lot size is 10,000 square feet or greater and there is only one dwelling unit on the lot. Micro-Farms consisting of the following animals up to the maximum number listed shall be allowed provided that the total number of animals shall not exceed four (4): four (4) chickens (no roosters allowed), one (1) pot belly pig, and two (2) pygmy goats; provided such animals are kept and housed in the rear yard only, and there is at least 100 square feet of permeable land per animal in the rear yard area.

Rock Hill:
No provisions for chickens given, I got the info from my realtor (not sure where he got it from)