Urban Chickens (Phoenix, Flagstaff: section 8, for sale, coop) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

cap1717 · 04-03-2009, 09:04 AM

I am considering a small flock of chickens for egg production. Can anyone enlighten me on city of Phx ordinace regarding this? thanks...

observer53 · 04-03-2009, 10:01 AM

Here you go:

Sec. 8-7. Poultry and rodents.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this article, it is hereby declared to be a nuisance and it shall be unlawful for any person to keep rodents or poultry within the City. No poultry or rodents shall be kept in an enclosure within eighty feet of any residence within the City. Poultry may be kept within eighty feet of a residence if written permission consenting to the keeping of poultry less than eighty feet from a residence is first obtained from each lawful occupant and each lawful owner of such residence. Poultry shall not be kept in the front yard area of any lot or parcel within the City. Poultry and rodents shall be kept in an enclosure so constructed as to prevent such poultry and rodents from wandering upon property belonging to others.

(b) No more than twenty head of poultry nor more than twenty-five head of rodents nor more than twenty-five head comprising a combination of rodents and poultry shall be kept upon the first one-half acre or less. An additional one-half acre shall be required for each additional twenty head of poultry or for each additional twenty-five head of rodents or for each additional twenty-five head comprising a combination of poultry and rodents. For areas larger than two and one-half acres the number of poultry or rodents shall not be limited.

(c) No male poultry shall be kept within the City limits except such male poultry as are incapable of making vocal noises which disturb the peace, comfort or health of any person residing within the City.

(d) All such enclosures shall be kept in such condition that no offensive, disagreeable or noxious smell or odor shall arise therefrom to the injury, annoyance or inconvenience of any inhabitant of the neighborhood thereof.

(Code 1962, § 8-8; Ord. No. G-1207, § 1; Ord. No. G-1367, § 1)

Pancho Zarape · 04-03-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cap1717

I am considering a small flock of chickens for egg production. Can anyone enlighten me on city of Phx ordinace regarding this? thanks...

If your rooster is clock-a-doodling too loud, they will send the police out to arrest your rooster. Normally, the regular chicken clucking shouldn't be a major problem, but you WILL have your weirdos out there.

cap1717 · 04-03-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pancho Zarape

If your rooster is clock-a-doodling too loud, they will send the police out to arrest your rooster. Normally, the regular chicken clucking shouldn't be a major problem, but you WILL have your weirdos out there.

Thanks, I am considering a very small (4 or 5) flock of laying hens only. According the the ordinace posted (thanks), I will need to get permission from the neighbors. . . that should not be a problem. . . .

Pancho Zarape · 04-03-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cap1717

Thanks, I am considering a very small (4 or 5) flock of laying hens only. According the the ordinace posted (thanks), I will need to get permission from the neighbors. . . that should not be a problem. . . .

Okay, Cappy. Hope it all goes well for you!

observer53 · 04-03-2009, 11:51 AM

Good luck to you. Chickens are fun to have around, actually.

pbenjamin · 04-03-2009, 03:10 PM

Does this mean that you can't keep a hamster in your house if it is located within 80' of a neighbor's house without first getting his permission?

observer53 · 04-03-2009, 04:45 PM

Interesting question. I think the ordinance was meant for people who are raising guinea pigs, hamsters, etc, for sale and keeping them in some enclosure outside the house. But it surely doesn't read that way!

observer53 · 04-03-2009, 04:48 PM

Sec. 8-10. Minimum area limitation; nuisance.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is hereby declared to be a nuisance and it shall be unlawful for any person to keep any animal, as defined in section 8-1 of this chapter, within the City on any lot or parcel of land consisting of less than ten thousand square feet in area.

(b) Poultry may be kept on a lot or parcel of land within the City consisting of an area less than ten thousand square feet if written permission consenting to the keeping of poultry on such lot or parcel is first obtained from all of the lawful occupants and the lawful owners of adjoining lots or parcels of land, as defined in section 8-1, which are located in the immediate vicinity of the property whereon the poultry is kept.

(c) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) above shall not apply to the keeping of:

(1) Small household pets to include, but not be limited to, dogs and cats; or

(2) Animals for commercial purposes where such use is established as a lawful use under the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Phoenix.

(Code 1962, § 8-10.1; Ord. No. G-1367, § 1)

So, it's all clear as mud. As long as you keep the cage clean, no problem, I suspect.

cap1717 · 08-18-2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pancho Zarape

If your rooster is clock-a-doodling too loud, they will send the police out to arrest your rooster. Normally, the regular chicken clucking shouldn't be a major problem, but you WILL have your weirdos out there.

yup, you sure will! Neighbor "weirdo" is making me "rehome" my small flock, that has been supplying eggs to half the neighborhood for over a year now. . . .
On the bright side, they will have a wonderful home with a friend in Flagstaff. . .I will no longer be "buying eggs " (feed, treats, care) for the neighbors, and I can happily contemplate getting a much more annoying bird for the coop / aviary! Anyone got a loud, annoying parrot they want to re-home?