Going through the Hoops for Coops

[Stephen Smith]

So I got a building permit today on our hen coop. It appears that I was the first one through the hoops.

Not a bad process they need a site plan drawn out on a 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper with the dimensions of your coop, the property lines and where it is in relation to your house. $50 bucks and they will review the plan with you, give you some paperwork that you need for the next step which is the animal control. Oh, do get your forms from animal control first, as this is what the building permit folks will need to write up their clearance.

Next step is animal control, one of the questions on their form is who is your vet for your chickens?

So I wanted to ask if anyone has spoke to a vet locally who is willing to see chickens?

I'm a vet but not practicing anymore, but I'm afraid the animal control board may need a local vet that has an office. It's not in the ordinance, but I'm just wanting to get the permit completed so we can move forward with our plans.

 

Any suggestions on a local vet?

 

Thx will keep folks posted as we move through.

 

[Stephen Smith]

So today I took the building permit to Office Pappas at 917 East 5th Street you can also mail it to to them. Gave her the Green sheet Permit that the City Building Permit folks gave me and the receipt for the $50. Also gave her a copy of the site plan I drew and the forms she had mailed me.

Next step is for the Animal Control Board to review the completed permit and application and give the OK. They meet about once a month usually on a Tues or Thurs. at 1:30 PM at the Animal Shelter. The next meeting looks to be in mid-May.

People can attend, but its not required. Office Pappas said that they will likely come by our house before to look at the location.

We will keep folks posted on the date of the next Animal Control Meeting.  

[Kimberly]

Karns Veternary Clinic off of Oak Ridge Highway will see hens and other livestock. Also, the UT Vet Clinic will also. Hope this helps!

[Tracie L. Hellwinckel]

Thanks Stephen for updating everyone on the process.  This is very helpful information.

[Brandy]

Stephen, when your process is finished, could you give us a total cost and total time spent? Im very curious, and would like to ensure that poor families are able to go through the process in some manner. Thanks!

Brandy

[Natalie Townsend]

Stephen,

You must be the other person ahead of me in the hoop jumping. I spoke with Animal Control as I was working on hoop number.... four, maybe....and she said that only one person had gotten to the point I am currently at. Must be you!

I did not fill in the section about a vet for my chickens because I haven't found one yet either.

 

Has your application been voted on yet? Did they have any questions or problems with your application? Mine gets voted on the 11th. I have my coop almost ready for inspection. Have you gotten the coop inspection yet?

 

We are getting excited, especially my children. I'd like to know where you live, how your neighbors are about your getting chickens, and what kind of hens you're getting. Keep me posted on your experience!

Natalie

[Stephen Smith]

So far $50 for the building permit and a $25 annual fee for the permit to have chickens.

$75 to get started then $25 a year.

[Stephen Smith]

No permit yet, but I think its next week that they meet, so should know then.

I have not had the coop inspection, we will be building our coop later this month.

We are looking at Dominique breed and maybe one other still undecided, we can have 4 girls.

Hopefully the Hen Coalition will have the first Knoxville city permits issued by the 12th.

[Natalie Townsend]

I thought that the permit wouldn't be issued until after the coop inspection. Guess not..that's good news. My coop isn't ready yet either, but it should be soon. Our hens are here (Rhode Island Reds) but they are at my cousin's house until we can bring them to live in their new home. Are you planning to attend the meeting on the 12th? I'm thinking I might in case they want to ask me any questions.

[Stephen Smith]

 

Below is the handout I used at the May 21 Hen workshop at Beardsley Farm.

 

Going through the Hoops for Coops

Stephen A. Smith, DVM

Knoxville Urban Hen Coalition

 

The City of Knoxville has developed an ordinance that outlines the process for legally hosting hens in the city limits. The ordinance and additional information is located at http://knoxvillepermacultureguild.ning.com/group/knoxvillechickens

The following steps (hoops) are the ones I followed to get our permit:

 

Hoop 1: Request an application by contacting Officer Pappas at 215-8640 or [e-mail].  Read the requirements and limitations in the ordinance. There are very specific guidelines that must be followed.

 

Hoop 2: Identify the location on your property (not in front yard, at least 10 feet away from property line) for the coop and number of hens (no more than 6) you wish to host.

 

Hoop 3: Design or locate a coop design for your hens. The dimensions will determine the number of hens. The hen house and the run area each have square foot requirements (2 square feet per bird in the house and 6 square feet per bird for the run).

 

Hoop 4: Draw the coop dimensions on an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper, also include an approximate location of your property lines and home in the drawing. It should include the chicken house and the run to approximate scale.  (KGIS has diagrams of your property.)

 

Hoop 5: Fill out the application and take it and your drawing to the city building permit office. Show them your plan and request a building permit. (NOTE: They fill out a section of your application.) The cost of the building permit is $50 (keep your receipt). You will receive a green building permit.

 

Hoop 6: Take the completed application, building permit, receipt and a copy of your plan to animal control. The cost for the hen permit is $25.  This is an annual fee. You may be able to mail this to them.

 

Hoop 7: Wait for the Animal Control Board to approve your permit. Meetings are once a month.

 

Hoop 8: Build your coop!

 

Hoop 9: Request a visit from both the building permit inspector and animal control for a final check off.

 

Hoop 10: Bring your hens home!

 

[Martha Rose Woodward]

I'm from the government; I'm here to help you---yeah, right!

 

[Martha Rose Woodward]

I enjoyed reading your posts; I could just see you driving all around town with papers in your car...Why does this have to be so confusing? It should be a 15 minute process.....