Who do i have to ask to find out if i need a permit to farm animals on my county property?

Question

I am looking at getting three laying hens and two milk goats in the coming year. I live in the county, outside of the city limit. Which area of our local government should I contact? I want to get everything lined up in advance because I do have several neighbors with adjoining properties that are probably going to think I am a bit wacky. Of course I would be willing to obey any local zoning or other ordinances (along with being a considerate neighbor) but can't seem to find the documentation that I am looking for at this time. I live in Vanderburgh Co, just outside of Evansville, IN.

Answer 1

Certain counties deem it by land (how much you have for the animals you want) I need an acre per horse in one county I called or zoning ( are you in an agricultural zoned area), even then if you are in a subdivision their covenants that you agreed to abide by may forbid it. I am going to watch for other answers because I don't know what you mean by documentation, but I would call the county and speak to the people in planning and zoning first.

Answer 2

Your County Extension Agent should have or be able to refer you to someone who has answers to your questions:

http://extension.purdue.edu/ces/staff/de...

You will have to be sure to adequately restrain your goats.  Goats seem to gain immense enjoyment from walking on cars.

I was unable to find zoning information specific to your situation, but you may have better luck. (2)

Answer 3

As long as you live outside of city limits, and have the amount of land deemed needed for your goat, you should be just fine.

People are getting away with raising hen chickens almost everywhere, as they can state they are "exotic birds."  Just don't get a rooster.

I'm assuming you own your property (vs. renting).  As long as the purchase of your home did not include any CC &R's, you should be just fine.  CC& R's are conditions, covenants, and restrictions.  Those are usually set up in newer subdivisions.  

CC&R's can cover everything from the size of your dog, the color you can paint your home, hours you can park a car in your own driveway...just about everything.  

If you have CC&R's you need to read them very, very carefully.  If they do not cover livestock animals, do not tell ANYONE what you are planning to do.  They can change the CC&R's all they want AFTER you have the livestock, but it will not affect any livestock you already own.

For your dairy goats, may I reccomend you concider the LaMancha breed?  They are the goats with "no-ears."  I myself was very put off by the no-ear thing.  I like the big bell shaped ears of the nubians, and boers.  I finally got four LaManchas three years ago, to add to my herd, of about 100 goats.  

Everyone who owns them states, "But they have the sweetest personality, it completely makes up for them not having ears."  I have goats of just about every normal dairy breed, and many of the meat breeds.  I was really suprised by the LaMancha goats.  They REALLY do have amazingly sweet and gentle personalities.  A very, very good goat for a beginer.  Best of all they have a high fat content in their milk, so it's easier to make butter and cheese from their milk.  

Even better for someone with neighbors, they have a very sweet and quiet bleet.  Not the LOUD bellow that Nubians can do!  

Here's a link to LaManchas:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Mancha_(...

Do be sure to invest in really good fencing, especially since you have close neighbors.  Goats really are escape artist.  You do not want your neighbor yelling at you, "Your goats are eating the rosebushes I planted (and never water) when my children were born, and my father died."  Ask me how I know this.....

Most importantly however it will keep neighborhood dogs from coming and killing your goats and chickens.  There is nothing sadder than having to go out and shoot pet goats after a dog attack.  I've had to do this, it is completely heartbreaking.

Word of warning...if you have never owned goats before, you will find them completely charming and endearing animals.  In some ways they make better pets than dogs.  If you only have three hens they will also become quiet friendly.

Another warning...if you want milk goats, that means breeding and babies.  The boy kids are completley charming, especially the bottle raised ones.  However there are not enough homes in the world for all of the charming boy kids.  They DO end up in peoples freezers.  You need to wrap your mind around that FACT, before the kids start to arrive.  One option however to selling them for meat, is to make contact with children who do rodeo.  They are always looking for long legged goats kids to practice roping on.  

The goats are smart, and get very use to rodeo, and roping.  Many of them, as soon as they feel the lasso settle on their necks, just lay down, and wait for the child to run over and tie up their legs.

If you have goat related questions, feel free to contact me.

~Garnet

Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years

Raising meat goats since 1999

Answer 4

check with your county or circuit clerk at your county courthouse.

Answer 5

I would start with your local extension agent just to get a general idea.  You will wind up checking with your local zoning board, and if you are in a covenant controlled area, with your Home-Owners association to find out the regulations.