Backyard Chickens and the Law

Keeping chickens for fresh eggs is becoming a trend for those interested in green living.  

But the question I always get is: What is the ordinance regarding keeping chickens? Tampa's is very specific, but Hillsborough County's ordinance is more general.

In Hillsborough, it all comes down to whether or not your chickens have become such an annoyance that it keeps your neighbor from the "peaceful enjoyment of their property."  (Frankly, my neighbor has a couple of macaws that are keeping me from the peaceful enjoyment of my property, but that's another story.)

For example, a few chickens 180' from someone's home or patio, should not constitute an abridgment of someone's ability to enjoy his property.  The chickens are just too far away to be a real nuisance.  This position can be reasonably argued at a Code Enforcement Hearing with video, pictures and testimony from other neighbors.  With this preparation and a reasonable Board, you could probably win.  

There used to be a time when everyone tried to live and let live with their neighbors.  People accepted a certain amount of eccentricity in exchange for peace.  That seems to have changed and has forced otherwise non-confrontational people to have to fight to maintain their rights.  

While the code enforcement person has to do his/her job, s/he is not the final word, ever.  Whenever a law does not state specific numbers, it has enough gray area to be decided in your favor.  Plus, if giving up your chickens is breaking your heart, don't they deserve your best efforts?  

Appeal the violation notice, but go prepared and be polite.  If you take some videos or pix, and then get statements from your neighbors stating they don't find your chickens annoying and they are closer than the complaining neighbor, then you have a strong chance of winning.  

If you believe in yourself and educate yourself on the law, you will at least know that you did your best to preserve your own rights.

This excludes truly annoying roosters, of course.  Or people who are operating a commercial establishment.  Or, if your chickens are annoying all the neighbors.