I need help legalizing pet chicken ownership in Maricopa County Island zones.

[Philodice]

The maricopa county Island has forced me to give up all my birds.  They say poultry of any kind are farm animals and since I don't fall under the laws of Mesa or Apache Junction I can't have farm animals since I'm not a commercial farm.

 

There is no law against it, there just isn't a law that says I CAN have pet chickens in a non commercial setting.  Who should I contact to get that gross misinterpretation of the law changed?  It is like saying there is no law saying I CAN have a garden, so it must be illegal for me to have one.

 

I gave up 5 chickens and 2 ducks and I miss them so much.  Can anyone help?  I'm starting a letter writing campaign.  Will that do anything at all?

[Catherine, The Herb Lady]

Thank you for sharing the effort you are making.  Apparently, the zoning officers have conflicting opinions on just what constitutes a violation.  Philodice, do you know if your neighbors complained?  I was told most notice of violation originate from a complaint by a neighbor, and the responding officer merely "looks" for a violation.  Your effort may help a lot of other people.

[Bethany Lobocki]

That's what I had asked back on the 9th.  In my experience and from what I've been told, it doesn't matter one bit if you are clearly and unequivocally within compliance if someone has complained.  And the word "nuisance" is unfortunately very subjective. 

 

The importance of making nice with the neighbors cannot be stressed enough.  I hand out free eggs left and right, grovel if I feel that the animals have been a little noisy, assure everyone that if there is the slightest annoyance brought on by my animals that I will fix it immediately, etc. 

 

Edited to add:  I think it's great you are not letting this die/not giving up.  It's very educational for everyone else when people post their experience with these matters.  Good luck!

 

[Philodice]

I know the laws.  I asked for information I DON'T know...such as how to change them.  Any real answers?

[dj griffith]

I know it sounds crazy, but have you looked into rezoning? I worried about this years ago with a waterfowl operation and found out there are special use permits etc you can get for a big buck. Kinda makes the ordinances moot if you can buy yer way into using the property as ya wish. Recently the county went whole hog against a horse rescue operation that WASNT a nuisance....If they had $10,000 large they could have bought a permit and stayed, continuing to do business as they had for years. There should be laws passed to protect people who have used the property for a period of time, to protect from some turd moving into their area, complaining and destroying their way of life.

[Catherine, The Herb Lady]

Hi Philodice,

 

I had the same unfortunate experience, but it had to do with the zoning of my old property in the county island.  A single building zoning prohibits ANY kind of livestock unless you have size property which would allow a horse -- there is a specific regulation for that.  Multi-building zoning usually permits some chickens (but maybe not a rooster).  Ask specifically about the zoning they are using to deny you.  As Bethany mentioned, sometimes it is the neighbors who objected and filed a complaint.  In the county island I'm in now, there are many people with chickens and we are 1 block away from large residential horse property lots.

[Bethany Lobocki]

I'd like to know who told you this...I was under the impression that a county island is just that, and the rules of the adjacent towns do not apply.

 

Edited to add:  Have you received complaints?  Because in many areas, if your animals are a nuisance, whether or not you are in compliance with the laws...you can be forced to get rid of the animals.