Code man
In the Brooder
- Apr 27, 2015
- 15
- 1
- 26
Greetings,
This is a neat forum, with lots of information provided via the internet publicly viewable through search engines. I know your thinking OMG whats this person doing here?!? Well to be honest I stumbled upon this forum while looking up backyard businesses.
Yes we are allowed to use all means publicly availible in the course of our duties. And no we are not intentionally looking here for folks violating Land Development Codes, again I stumbled upon this and saw the question asking about Seminole County Rules for chickens & I am trying to help.
In reading, I see many folks admitting they have raised chickens in residential areas for 10+ yrs and still have not been caught and may be continuing to do so "under the radar" in what ever area they reside.
***************************************
Seminole Countys definition of Fowl: All kinds of poultry and fowl including, but not limited to, chickens, turkeys, ducks, guineas, geese, pigeons and quail.
I will attempt to explain from a CE side of how residents get caught raising fowl.
Friends, HOA's, Neighbors & the ocassional CE drive by.
1) You read correctly when you saw the word FRIENDS, When friends that have seen or know you have fowl and they think it's neat, they may even talk of doing it themselves. But if you have a falling out with that friend, you can guess whos calling CE & providing photographic evidence of your violation.
2) Neighbors, yes neighbors while some may like the chickens, get free eggs from you. Many do not as they chose the city life for a reason. Some may tolerate the clucking, smell of poo, etc. BUT wait till the rooster shows up then the neighbors quality of life is effected because the rooster likes to crow often from 3:30am and continues throughout the day and the neighbors sleep is affected. Then CE and/or the HOA recieves a call & is provided photographic evidence that the fowl exist.
3) HOAs, Well here we have a different side. They have legal bylaws you signed that you agreed to their rules in the packet of bank paper work, when you purchased your home. Their rules are civil in nature but binding & some can have fines issued or can even foreclose on a home or property. Normally the HOA addresses the fowl issue through their steps, then they call CE as a secondary measure & provide photographic evidence that a fowl violation exists. Note CE can not enforce HOA rules, CE can however enforce city or county ords in the jurisdiction were you live. If you live in a city, they have their own CE. If you in unincorporated county they have their own CE as well and each jurisdiction has their own different ords.
4) CE, Yes CE & Police proactively patrol neighborhoods looking for possible violations. Some CE are sworn Law Enforcement since some juristictions work hand in hand. If they happen to see chickens roaming a yard or hear the crowing or loud clucking ... Discovery is made. The officer then attempts to make contact with the home owner and if the resident is not home or doesnt answer the door, a Notice is mailed.
The CE visit, we arrive make contact with the resident. We then explain the reason for our visit. We then ask the resident if they have chickens, even though we have either heard them or the complainant has provided photos as proof the violation exists, we still ask.
Once the violation has been confirmed a case is opened & the resident is given a reasonable amount of time per the law, to remove the chickens/fowl 2wks to 30dys. once the chickens are gone the case closes.
In the event a resident or property owner refuses to remove the chickens or fowl, a case is filed before the Code Enforcement Board or Magistrate were up to a $250.00 per day, per chicken/fowl, fine could be requested. (this can get expencive very quickly based upon the number of fowl you have)
It is important to remember that there are those that will tell others that live in an area that fowl are not permitted to "Just Do It". However when you get caught these same people are not going to step up and pay your fines. Since many departments can issue a fine on the spot.
Generally those wanting to live a country lifestyle move out into the rural areas zoned for keeping fowl or livestock, this is called Agricultural zoned lands. Typically these areas are listed as A-1,A-3,A-5, A-10, A-20. When living on an agricultural zoned property there are even state laws that overide county and city ordinances regarding smells and noises to protect the property owner.
*****************************
In unincorporated Seminole County areas zoned Residential; PD, PUD, R-1 R-1a, R-1aaa etc. Fowl/livestock are not premitted.
A person can look at municode for what is or isn't permitted in the zoning where they live, a general rule of thumb if it is not listed then it isnt allowed: Most states, counties & cities use municode & post their codes there.
https://www.municode.com/library/#!...des/land_development_code?nodeId=LADECOSECOFL
*************************************************
The Code used for Fowl in Seminole County:
FOWL OR LIVESTOCK HOUSED IN RESIDENTIAL ZONE SCLDC Chapter 30 Section 30.1345 (d)
DESCRIPTION: In any residential area, no commercial kennels nor livestock or fowl may be housed or pastured in a residential zone, nor may any commercial production of any stock animal or fowl be permitted.
CORRECTIVE ACTION: Cease housing or pasturing any livestock or fowl within and/or cease any commercial production of any stock animal or fowl in a residential zone.
*******************************************************
It's not uncommon for a property owner in a residential area to request a special exception be made for their parcel through the BCC. For a single therapeutic chicken for an autistic child.
Hope this helps those that are curious.
Be well & have a safe day!!
This is a neat forum, with lots of information provided via the internet publicly viewable through search engines. I know your thinking OMG whats this person doing here?!? Well to be honest I stumbled upon this forum while looking up backyard businesses.
Yes we are allowed to use all means publicly availible in the course of our duties. And no we are not intentionally looking here for folks violating Land Development Codes, again I stumbled upon this and saw the question asking about Seminole County Rules for chickens & I am trying to help.
In reading, I see many folks admitting they have raised chickens in residential areas for 10+ yrs and still have not been caught and may be continuing to do so "under the radar" in what ever area they reside.
***************************************
Seminole Countys definition of Fowl: All kinds of poultry and fowl including, but not limited to, chickens, turkeys, ducks, guineas, geese, pigeons and quail.
I will attempt to explain from a CE side of how residents get caught raising fowl.
Friends, HOA's, Neighbors & the ocassional CE drive by.
1) You read correctly when you saw the word FRIENDS, When friends that have seen or know you have fowl and they think it's neat, they may even talk of doing it themselves. But if you have a falling out with that friend, you can guess whos calling CE & providing photographic evidence of your violation.
2) Neighbors, yes neighbors while some may like the chickens, get free eggs from you. Many do not as they chose the city life for a reason. Some may tolerate the clucking, smell of poo, etc. BUT wait till the rooster shows up then the neighbors quality of life is effected because the rooster likes to crow often from 3:30am and continues throughout the day and the neighbors sleep is affected. Then CE and/or the HOA recieves a call & is provided photographic evidence that the fowl exist.
3) HOAs, Well here we have a different side. They have legal bylaws you signed that you agreed to their rules in the packet of bank paper work, when you purchased your home. Their rules are civil in nature but binding & some can have fines issued or can even foreclose on a home or property. Normally the HOA addresses the fowl issue through their steps, then they call CE as a secondary measure & provide photographic evidence that a fowl violation exists. Note CE can not enforce HOA rules, CE can however enforce city or county ords in the jurisdiction were you live. If you live in a city, they have their own CE. If you in unincorporated county they have their own CE as well and each jurisdiction has their own different ords.
4) CE, Yes CE & Police proactively patrol neighborhoods looking for possible violations. Some CE are sworn Law Enforcement since some juristictions work hand in hand. If they happen to see chickens roaming a yard or hear the crowing or loud clucking ... Discovery is made. The officer then attempts to make contact with the home owner and if the resident is not home or doesnt answer the door, a Notice is mailed.
The CE visit, we arrive make contact with the resident. We then explain the reason for our visit. We then ask the resident if they have chickens, even though we have either heard them or the complainant has provided photos as proof the violation exists, we still ask.
Once the violation has been confirmed a case is opened & the resident is given a reasonable amount of time per the law, to remove the chickens/fowl 2wks to 30dys. once the chickens are gone the case closes.
In the event a resident or property owner refuses to remove the chickens or fowl, a case is filed before the Code Enforcement Board or Magistrate were up to a $250.00 per day, per chicken/fowl, fine could be requested. (this can get expencive very quickly based upon the number of fowl you have)
It is important to remember that there are those that will tell others that live in an area that fowl are not permitted to "Just Do It". However when you get caught these same people are not going to step up and pay your fines. Since many departments can issue a fine on the spot.
Generally those wanting to live a country lifestyle move out into the rural areas zoned for keeping fowl or livestock, this is called Agricultural zoned lands. Typically these areas are listed as A-1,A-3,A-5, A-10, A-20. When living on an agricultural zoned property there are even state laws that overide county and city ordinances regarding smells and noises to protect the property owner.
*****************************
In unincorporated Seminole County areas zoned Residential; PD, PUD, R-1 R-1a, R-1aaa etc. Fowl/livestock are not premitted.
A person can look at municode for what is or isn't permitted in the zoning where they live, a general rule of thumb if it is not listed then it isnt allowed: Most states, counties & cities use municode & post their codes there.
https://www.municode.com/library/#!...des/land_development_code?nodeId=LADECOSECOFL
*************************************************
The Code used for Fowl in Seminole County:
FOWL OR LIVESTOCK HOUSED IN RESIDENTIAL ZONE SCLDC Chapter 30 Section 30.1345 (d)
DESCRIPTION: In any residential area, no commercial kennels nor livestock or fowl may be housed or pastured in a residential zone, nor may any commercial production of any stock animal or fowl be permitted.
CORRECTIVE ACTION: Cease housing or pasturing any livestock or fowl within and/or cease any commercial production of any stock animal or fowl in a residential zone.
*******************************************************
It's not uncommon for a property owner in a residential area to request a special exception be made for their parcel through the BCC. For a single therapeutic chicken for an autistic child.
Hope this helps those that are curious.
Be well & have a safe day!!
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