Need help getting chicken ordinances changed?

I cannot find the .pdf on this post, but I think it would be very helpful. Currently our ordinances here in Springfield, MA are too vague to outright prohibit chickens, but when I inquired, the zoning office said that they were prohibited. Unfortunately, the text that he cited was a definition of "domestic animals", not an ordinance. I am going to go ahead and get my chickens in the spring, but I may eventually need assistance if I am questioned...

Sorry about that, the pdf should be showing up now.

Many cities don't specifically allow or prohibit chickens and it requires some sort of conflict for the city to address the issue. No matter the status of chicken ordinances, often the city / county employees you contact will have no idea, or will tell you the wrong answer.

I was on the phone today with my city office here in Rockledge, fl.The ordinance prohibiting Chickens is spelled out specifically. The pets allowed are DOmesticated aminals only. The ordinance goes on to say Turkeys and chickens (specifically) are not allowed. Any suggestions??

We definitely need help in Longmont, Co. Here is a link to write our City Council Members:
http://longmont-urbanhens.blogspot.com/2008/11/contact-city-council-memb...
Our planning and zoning commission is against the ordinance 5 to 2. Two of our council members are staunchly against the ordinance and the rest are on the fence, but leaning towards "no." They think urban chicken owners are a tiny special interest group; that their is more opposition against the hens than for them; that they will over tax animal control and code enforcement (even though the data says otherwise); and, lower property values. Sigh.
We are hoping to garner community support, planning a public educational meeting for mid-December and organizing folks to attend the council meeting on the day they vote on the ordinance (looks like early January 09).

In Sacramento County, it is legal to keep chickens. In Sacramento City, it is not. In many instances, city property abuts county property, and the capriciousness of this anti-chicken measure makes no sense! For example, Yolo county is just across the river from my house, and I hear their roosters every morning. I have 2 Hens for eggs, and they had a wonderful life until I was recently "ratted out" by someone; I suspect it was city employees working next door on a pump-house, so my girls are in the "underground railroad".

Other, bigger cities allow the keeping of hens, and since proposition 2 passed in California (the humane animal confinement initative), the University of California has predicted it will destroy the egg industry in California, leaving us subject to imported (and hence largely unregulated eggs) from Mexico and from other states that do not have stringent animal housing ordinances. In the name of public safety, we should be able to raise our own hens (a couple, not a flock) and produce safe eggs for our tables. The big salmonella outbreaks from eggs are from factory farms, not backyard poultry! There may be some risk of Exotic Newcastle disease, but this should not be a problem in backyard birds who are never shown, and from chicks purchased from commercial hatcheries. How can I lobby my own city council to change Sacramento's law to more closely resemble the ordinance in what are considered model urban cities, San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle?

I think under todays economy, it is not only desirable, but necessary to be able to be a do-it-yourselfer. I really want to raise chickens and help folks provide food for their pantries. People are in need and must learn how to be self sufficent. We need government to help us out by letting us help ourselves. It nice to have beautiful properties but not at the expense of folks staving. If neighbors want to complain about my rooster, I can complain about their noisey dogs.

I live in a 'horsey' town of 11,000 people east of San Francisco - Clayton, California. Guess what - chickens are not allowed! This ordinance makes no sense, so I will be doing what I can to try and get it changed - or I'll have to move. I feel like my 5 girls (Speedie, Cozy, Bertha, Amelia and Bedelia) and I are living on borrowed time...

I would love to have someone write a letter to the city council in Billings Montana. IM afraid to bring the issue up as they may make me get rid of my chickens. I was told by animal control office via the phone that it is not legal to have any farm animals in city limits and that includes chickens. Lori

Hi, I'm a reporter working on a story about chicken ordinances for National Public Radio. I've heard there's an upswing in cities considering allowing chickens and I'm trying to find more concrete examples. If you know of any towns or cities that have recently passed, turned down, or are about to consider such an ordinance, I would love to hear from you.

Thank you, Megan Verlee

Megan Verlee
Reporter
Colorado Public Radio
mverlee@cpr.org

Whil e checking on the welfare of pets in pour neighborhood after a power outage we got notice from the animal control officer that our chickens were illegal because they are livestock and livestock is not allowed within city limits. Funny since my chickens are actually pets. And, by definition(literally) NOT livestock.

I am currently in the process of gathering information and preparing for battle, if it should come to that. But then again I am NOT giving up my girls. They will be moved into a basement coop and the yard fenced with privacy fencing all the way around, before my pets go anywhere. My neighbors dont mind. Heck they didnt even know the girls were back there! We do not keep a rooster. And I am all about keeping the yard clean of all animal waste. And cat/dog waste smells a lot more than the waste my 5 birds produce.
What kills me is that people are allowed to keep parrots and other birds. BUt chickens are a no no. Makes no sense to me.

Gulf Port, Fl is evidently going to be considering an ordinance.  I came across a plea for help on Craigslist (http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/grd/983573175.html).  Not sure if this helps you, but perhaps other urbanchickenites would be interested?  The link provides some names of city council/mayoral types and which way they might be leaning in the upcoming vote.  Not sure when the vote is, sorry.

RE: Sacramento County chicken ordinances, (above)...

I was just checking up on the issue in my area. 'Made my jaw drop--$4500 PERMIT APPLICATION FEE WITH NO GUARANTEE!!!

Morons, I say... see below.

http://www.msa2.saccounty.net/acr/Pages/AnimalInformation.aspx?c=Avian%2...

Can I keep chickens or roosters at my residence for personal use or consumption?

Your property lots must meet the minimum 10,000 square feet requirement to keep chickens and/or roosters.

Duplexes and half-plexes may not keep chickens and/or roosters under any circumstances. Single family homes may apply for a "conditional use permit" to keep chickens or roosters as a hobby for personal use or food; however the application cost is about $4,500 per address and does not guarantee the application will be approved. A renter may apply for the permit, but the property owner must also give permission in writing.

Starting the process of appealing to the City Council of Hutchinson MN. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing so if you have advice or examples of a proposal (or they'll get my hillbilly note of "check the box yes...or no." ha)to speak in their language I would be grateful!

In your experience is it best to go this route before acquaring the chickens (if I had the neighbors OK). I suspect this will be a time hog with the City and I'd like to get them in the Spring...but patience and wisdom....yup yup...:-)

I'd go through the process first before getting birds- as if you know it is illegal and get them anyways it may look bad. If you have had them for years and then the issue come up, it generally looks better.

I'll have some good resources and a check list on how to approach the issue of changing ordinances up on the website this weekend- I promise.

Do you feel that a quarter of an acre would be enough room for 4 or 5 chickens? My town has decided that we need a minimum of 3 acres for someone in a residential zone to have any at all. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

I live in the city of Sacramento too. I'm sure there are enough of us responsible chicken lovers to get some change accomplished. I'm game to help you make this happen if you are still up for the fight! Let me know.

Hi Melissa - have you been able to do anything for Clayton, CA ordinance?  I would be willing to help in any way, I don' t have my chickens yet and have been wondering if it is worth the trouble/cost in case I get caught :o) 

Hi, I'm from Bozeman MT and want to change our city ordinance to allow chickens within the city limits too. The fine for having illegal chickens within the city is a steep $600!!! Maybe we could network. Missoula allows them and Livingston I believe. Good luck Lori and hope to here from you. atk512@earthlink.net

I just got served by the city of Knoxville, TN saying that my chickens are in violation of a city ban on chickens. This link [http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=84796] states from the recent news that urban chickens are OK as long as they're 500ft away from an "occupied building," well I live on a corner, with a huge backyard and next to a house that's uninhabitable (by the city sign)... they're coming TOMORROW to take them. What the hell Knoxville??