CHICKENS IN APPLE VALLEY, MN
I'd like to have chickens in my backyard here in Apple Valley, MN. I've emailed the city and they responded with the following:
"There are regulations regarding the types of animals which may be kept in various
zoning districts. Livestock and farm animals would be permitted in an agricultural district, while domestic animals or "house pets" are permitted in both agricultural and residential districts."
Does anyone know how I'd go about finding the "exact" ordinance? It isn't on their website where they list ordinances for this city. I've contacted them by phone as well and they just give me the same information and even told me they didn't know where to find the particular law written.
I've sent a letter to the city council asking that the ordinance be changed and/or if I could receive a special permit to have chickens. They didn't bother responding. I'm hoping I can find at least a handful of people in Apple Valley that would like to have chickens as well and hopefully get the law changed. Any advice?
Isn't it up to the city to KNOW the ordinances? We just called the city offices and asked if there was an ordinance prohibiting having a few chickens - they said no, but there were ordinances about noise and smell. So we don't have any roosters and keep a tidy henhouse, and we haven't had any problems (and we live two blocks from City Hall). Can you attend a city council meeting and ask to have your issue addressed? I know the City of St. Paul addressed this at their last meeting, in response to several requests from residents. If a few hens is all you want to have, I think it's safe to say they are pets.