livestock...what are the laws? (Richmond, Roanoke: homes, neighborhood, buy)

[j1n]

In driving around Franklin and Roanoke county, we've seen folks with real working farms. We've also seen folks with a yard, some chicken wire, and goats.
I'm kind of assuming that in R-noke county...
as long as you aren't close enough to neighbors to cause noise or smell problems, and you have enough room to be fair to the animals, you could have chickens, some goats, a llama or two, some pigs, a donkey, etc.
Am I correct in that assumption? Or are there certain limited "legal" areas for that stuff?
How about Roanoke city? Any idea on whether it is allowed to keep a few animals...providing you have suitable room on your property?

[Cdshiflett]

I doubt very seriously that animals of that type are allowed in Roanoke city. Your best bet is to contact the zoning department for the county or city that you are inquiring about.

[jhrichmond]

Livestock is only permitted if your property is zoned agricultural. I live in a gated community and had a neighbor who decided they wanted to have chickens as pets. They actually built a henhouse, then were told it was not legal and they would have to destroy it. They whined and moaned that they were their pets, not bothering anyone, etc. and finally were allowed to keep I think 2 of the chickens with a bunch of restrictions. The whole thing was stupid, though. Not only are there zoning laws, but a book full of neighborhood covenants they signed before moving in. Ridiculous. This is in the Richmond area (Powhatan Co.), but the laws are the same throughout the state.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by jhrichmond

Livestock is only permitted if your property is zoned agricultural. I live in a gated community and had a neighbor who decided they wanted to have chickens as pets. They actually built a henhouse, then were told it was not legal and they would have to destroy it. They whined and moaned that they were their pets, not bothering anyone, etc. and finally were allowed to keep I think 2 of the chickens with a bunch of restrictions. The whole thing was stupid, though. Not only are there zoning laws, but a book full of neighborhood covenants they signed before moving in. Ridiculous. This is in the Richmond area (Powhatan Co.), but the laws are the same throughout the state.

yeah, I can definitely understand that...gated community, signed good neighbor/quality of life promises, etc. I would never dream of doing that. But I do see these folks that do keep goats, chickens, etc on their (albeit large, and unlikely to bother neighbors) residential property. I guess they are zoned for agriculture. That, or they are counting on their semi-distant/through-the-woods neighbors to not rat them out!

[Cdshiflett]

As my husband is a zoning director I could have said. It is only allowed if the property is zoned agricultural, but the fact is. You'd have to check with the zoning department of the particular area to find out.

[EJD2009]

I would like to know if I could have some chickens in Roanoke City. I live in the Hamilton Terrace SE Roanoke any one know???

[Mama Taney]

Yes, you CAN have chickens in Roanoke City.While I agree that if you live in a community with a HOA, that you signed upon moving into, that you have agreed to "play by the rules" - I have to point out something here.Keeping a small, backyard flock of hens (not roosters) is 1) less bothersome than most any other pet you would have outside and 2) hardly a radical idea, until the last 40 years it was still rather common for most people to have a backyard flock. Think of the Victory Gardens from WWII - chickens were part of this.Urban homesteads help build the community. They help support sustainable growth and a city that can support itself. The food you grow (including eggs) is healthier than most anything you can buy in the grocery store. Chickens can help improve soil quality, rid your yard of pests (fleas, ticks, mosquitos), and they provide an excellent educational opportunity for ourselves and our children.