Attention Maricopa County Livestock Owners

This just came to my attention and is worth putting out to Maricopa County, Arizona horse owners...

 

 

"Keeping of Farm Animals in Rural Zoning Districts - If you own small acreage parcels in the unincorporated Maricopa County (this includes Laveen, Gilbert, Higley, Queen Creek areas and any surrounding unincorporated areas of Phoenix) and are not legally zoned by the county as agricultural/farm use, this will affect you."

 

"On March 8, 2006, 10:00 AM at 205 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, there will be an open county meeting regarding the "INTERPRETATION" of Chapter 2, Zoning Ordinance 501.2.4, for all of unincorporated Maricopa County R-43 land."

 

"Simply, the 'INTERPRETATION" could be defined in one of two ways:

1. That would NOT ALLOW the affected area property owners to keep livestock/farm animals including chickens, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, etc. Because it is an interpretation of a current zoning rule no one will be grandfathered retroactive back to 1969 (period of time when ordinance was put in place). All properties below the minimum acreage stated in the zoning rule will be affected and it can be enforced immediately upon approval.

OR

2. That the keeping of farm animals is considered a by-right use accessory to a single-family residence in the Rural zoning districts without any limitation on the number of animals (at least as per zoning requirements)."

 

 

Depending on the interpretation, this could affect life-style for many including families with children involved in 4-H and the Maricopa County Fair. It could ultimately affect the number of horses you keep for your family for recreational purposes.

 

Anyone interested in supporting the current ability to keep farm animals should contact the county supervisors in all districts by phone, in writing or email, deliver signed petitions to Darren Gerard, Deputy Director of Maricopa County and come to the meeting on March 8, 2006, 10:00 AM held at 205 W. Jefferson. Contact info: Maricopa County Zoning Code Enforcement 602-506-3694. darrengerard@mail.maricopa.gov, fbrock@mail.maricopa.gov, mwwilson@mail.maricopa.gov, akunasek@mail.maricopa.gov, dstapley@mail.maricopa.gov