Suburban Goats?

[phoenixmama]

Our house sits on a little under an acre. Our town says that one must have 5000 sq. ft. per goat, but doesn't differentiate between full size and small breeds. I keep Nubians, (I have 4 right now) and as long as they are fed on a regular schedule they are quiet. And they are always quiet at night. I maintain a good rapport with the neighbors by telling them about any changes that might affect them (such as letting them know when kidding season is going to start). They all have my phone number, and know that if there's a problem I will fix it.

Mainly for keeping goats in an urban or suburban area...know the laws like the back of your hand, keep on good terms with the neighbors, and be extra diligent about cleanliness and flies.

 

[Bicycle]

Not to be thread hijacking, but how do all of you with small lots (less than 2 acres) get around zoning laws?

 

[freemotion]

Zoning for different animals is different in each town. I live in a group of small houses with 75' wide lots....but I have a chunk of land behind three of those lots that sticks into an old, old farm. So somehow I am zoned for animals. In this town if you are zoned for animals, there is still a limit as to how many of each species you can have per acre. You need to go to your town hall and find out what the laws are for your town and what is the zone for your property.

If you are not zoned for goats but feel you could have them without bothering your neighbors, and if your neighbors all agree, you could apply for a variance. I got one once to have a home-based massage therapy practice in my home (it was even a rented apartment at the time!) and I had to argue as to why I should get the variance. Got it. I also testified for a friend who bought land to build a barn for 2-3 horses in a small town, but because the street that he was on went from the middle of town to the rural areas outside of town, his address was not zoned for animals. It was ridiculous. I gave a good argument and they got their variance. It can be done.

 

[Christina's Dream]

I live in a suburban area I guess.... I'm about 3 minutes outside of town. There are farms all around me but hubby keeps telling me we are not zoned for it.... But the zoo is less then 5 minutes walking distance, and farms all around. I figure if I ever get caught I'd kick up a huge stink "red head style"

I have about 60 ducks, and about 30 chickens, and way over 200 quail (they are just waiting to grow out and lose their heads) and just 1 goat and 2 dogs... I'm planning on getting a mini pig and another goat soon. I live on just under an acre of land it it works out great.
Goat thinks she is a duck... or a person not sure. She goes every where with me...to work, to town for icecream, with my son to school. I treat her more like a dog then a goat. And all is good. She is quiet until she sees me then she runs screaming....

I find all is well, so do it and enjoy it....

 

[Augustmomx2]

Thanks everyone for all the info and words of encouragement

 

[MommaBugg]

not trying to hijack either, but in my web searching on this topic, i googled and this thread came up. Im still trying to find out exactly what I am zoned without putting myself on the radar so to speak. I have been all over the internet but it seems I just wont be able to find a zoning map without peaking the curiosity of obnoxious zoning officials snooping on my property. I have had chickens for about a year, no complaints thus far. There was a neighbor who had a cow and a horse down the road but they didnt stay long and I never met them. Any advice?

My fear is that too many questions to the wrong ppl may mean I lose my chickens. In times like these, my livestock will be my familys staple source of food. I am completely at a loss!

Thanks to anyone who can help

 

[autumnprairie]

not trying to hijack either, but in my web searching on this topic, i googled and this thread came up. Im still trying to find out exactly what I am zoned without putting myself on the radar so to speak. I have been all over the internet but it seems I just wont be able to find a zoning map without peaking the curiosity of obnoxious zoning officials snooping on my property. I have had chickens for about a year, no complaints thus far. There was a neighbor who had a cow and a horse down the road but they didnt stay long and I never met them. Any advice?

My fear is that too many questions to the wrong ppl may mean I lose my chickens. In times like these, my livestock will be my familys staple source of food. I am completely at a loss!

Thanks to anyone who can help

If you live in a pretty big population and they don't know you. you can go down to cityhall zoning and ask what the neighborhood is zoned for, or call but ask what a neighborhood is zoned not just your property.

 

[MommaBugg]

not trying to hijack either, but in my web searching on this topic, i googled and this thread came up. Im still trying to find out exactly what I am zoned without putting myself on the radar so to speak. I have been all over the internet but it seems I just wont be able to find a zoning map without peaking the curiosity of obnoxious zoning officials snooping on my property. I have had chickens for about a year, no complaints thus far. There was a neighbor who had a cow and a horse down the road but they didnt stay long and I never met them. Any advice?

My fear is that too many questions to the wrong ppl may mean I lose my chickens. In times like these, my livestock will be my familys staple source of food. I am completely at a loss!

Thanks to anyone who can help

If you live in a pretty big population and they don't know you. you can go down to cityhall zoning and ask what the neighborhood is zoned for, or call but ask what a neighborhood is zoned not just your property.

I thought of that. We live in a pretty small town. We just found a house for sale down the street.. Thinking about calling the realitor and asking them.

 

[autumnprairie]

not trying to hijack either, but in my web searching on this topic, i googled and this thread came up. Im still trying to find out exactly what I am zoned without putting myself on the radar so to speak. I have been all over the internet but it seems I just wont be able to find a zoning map without peaking the curiosity of obnoxious zoning officials snooping on my property. I have had chickens for about a year, no complaints thus far. There was a neighbor who had a cow and a horse down the road but they didnt stay long and I never met them. Any advice?

My fear is that too many questions to the wrong ppl may mean I lose my chickens. In times like these, my livestock will be my familys staple source of food. I am completely at a loss!

Thanks to anyone who can help

If you live in a pretty big population and they don't know you. you can go down to cityhall zoning and ask what the neighborhood is zoned for, or call but ask what a neighborhood is zoned not just your property.

I thought of that. We live in a pretty small town. We just found a house for sale down the street.. Thinking about calling the realitor and asking them.

that would work,

 

[pattonfarm]

I have a La Mancha. He is very quiet. He is also very smart. He can get out of the gate by watching us open the gate a few times. He also thinks he's a person. If you tell him he will jump in the backseat of the truck to take a ride. We got him when he was a baby and bottlefed him. He is our kid's pet. His name is Oreo. That's what the kids named him because he is black with white stripes. Oreo is the coolest goat ever!