Posted: December 15th, 2022

Model Code

Model Code

Jurisdictions that have restricted chickens in residential areas
Many of the cities and towns in the country have some local law or ordinance about poultry and livestock in place. Places like Alabama, Hampshire, Gilmer County, Pickens County, City of Chamblee, City of Harlem, City of Sylvester, and Coweta among others have laws regarding the restriction of chickens in residential areas. For instance, in the City of Chamblee, residents are allowed to only keep a maximum of eight chickens, roosters are prohibited, the structures that house chickens must be 10 feet from any residence, and owners are required to confine their chickens and ensure that they remain on property always (Mitchell-Strong, 2018). Pickens County allows ownership of a maximum of 10 chickens, and coops are required to be 100 feet away from property lines.
The efforts in these areas have been successful as people have been able to own chickens and ensure that they are not a nuisance to other residents living in the area. Something that Blackacre County could borrow from. Residents have also been able to take an active role in regulating the movements of their chickens, especially by creating structures to house them. More so, the restriction of the number of chickens owned has also served to ensure that the residential areas have a manageable population of these animals. Notably, most of the aforementioned cities and counties have prohibited the ownership of roosters since most of these animals are associated with noise. The communities report to have received these restrictions well. In fact, most of them say that the restrictions have brought a lot of relief in the residential areas. This is because prior to the regulations, chickens used to loiter around, pooping almost everywhere and generally creating a nuisance in the neighborhoods.

Model Codes
Permit
Before being allowed to own chickens, the Director of the Planning and Zoning Department will first examine the premises in which the chickens are to be kept. An approval from this professional is enough to earn one a permit to keep chickens.
Number of chickens allowed
This legislation is aimed at restricting the number of chickens a resident in Blackacre County can keep in their property. Distances from the lines of property and the sizes of lots will be considered when establishing the number of birds allowed. However, it is important to note that a specific number allowed will be stated, e.g., each resident will not be allowed to keep more than 10 chickens.
Roosters’ regulation
Roosters will be prohibited in the area. This is in an effort to get rid of the noise associated with them. In addition, because one of the major reasons individuals keep chickens is to get eggs, it is only fair to only allow the rearing of hens.
Enclosure requirements
Residents will be required to keep their chickens in a caged or fenced area (coop)-in this regard, the animals are not allowed to be free range. The structures for these birds must be at least 100 feet from all lines of property.
Nuisance Clauses
The nuisance clauses will touch on the following: noise, public health concerns, smell, and cleanliness of coops. For instance, owners of chickens will be required to keep these animals in sanitary conditions, and the chickens must receive vaccinations as required.

Restrictions on slaughtering
Slaughtering of chickens will only be permitted to take place inside a building, and this is aimed at preventing complaints from neighbors.

Reference
Mitchell-Strong, B. (2018). Roost: Confessions of a First-Time Chicken Farmer. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press.

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