Threatening letter from anonymous neighbor!!

[jimandpj]

I just received a threatening letter in the mail from an anonymous neighbor complaining about the noise from my goats, chickens, and children.

I called zoning to confirm that we were zoned agricultural. They can't tell me over the phone, so I have to go in tomorrow. The realtor had told us we were zoned agricultural, but I just looked at a listing from my "house purchase file" and it stated on there that the zoning is residential.

We have 3 acres outside the city limits of Charlestown, so we are a part of Clark County.

Does anyone have any general idea of whether chickens and goats are generally allowed on residential zoning? I'm trying not to panic, but I don't take well to being threatened, and Jim isn't home to calm me down!

Thanks!
PJ

[Lynne]

Don't know how long you have lived there but your property tax bill should state that whether or not you are accessed residential or Ag. Residential areas usually have limits on what and how many animals are allowed if any.

[goatlady]

I might suggest on your way to check the zoning you stop by your attorney's office with that letter and your concerns cause most likely IF you are zoned "residential" you "might" be able to have chickens but most likely not goats - too many factors to know right now except you most probably will need a lawyer.

[Ross]

Regardless threatening letters are illegal so phone the police. Find the culprit and sue their behind from their fronts.

[turtlehead]

Originally Posted by jimandpj

I just received a threatening letter in the mail from an anonymous neighbor complaining about the noise from my goats, chickens, and children.

The good news is that even if you are zoned residential, the authorities will probably let you keep your children. :baby04:

Just trying to inject some levity! Please do let us know what you find out.

[PineRidge]

That was funny Turtlehead.

How about adding a large and loud dog to the mix? Your kids would probably love it. I know that wouldn't help the situation.

I would call the police too, maybe take the letter in to show them after you check on your zoning? Isn't using the mail a federal offense? Did they actually threaten you, or just threaten to "tell on you"?

[frazzlehead]

My county just sent out a letter explaining how many animals we are allowed on various sizes of land (1 horse, 15 chickens, 3 sheep ... ).

I know that when I lived within the city it specifically stated what kinds of animals were and were not allowed.

Your county (city? whatever your governing body is) can explain what is allowed and what is not. Usually, if you want to ask for an exemption to the rules there is also a process for that. Here, they have it on the agenda at the meeting, send out a letter to the neighbours, and anyone who objects would have to show up at the meeting and voice their concerns ... then the city council (county folks, whoever they are) decides what to do.

I am sure you will have some form of 'appeal' even if the rules say 'no chickens' or whatever.

Good luck, let us know what happens!

[SouthWesteader]

Like Ross mentioned, a threatening letter is a threatening letter, and it needs to be dealt with, legally. And jeez, they moved to the country. Can't they expect a couple of animals?

[CatsPaw]

Generally speaking if you live in the county, the county rules. If you live in the city, the city rules. I'm assuming you're in the county. Just because you're zoned residential, doesn't mean you can't have animals. Check with the county, not the city. There's also a good chance (depending on the neighborhood) you could have your land rezoned to ag.

[PinkBat]

I know this isn't helpful to you, but didn't you read the "small print" before purchasing this place?

I truly hope that everything will work out for you and you will get to keep your animals.

The letter should go to the police immediately.

[crystalniche]

Here if you have under 2 acres you can't have animals in some towns. In our town it is 5 acres but people still give you a hard time. Mostly the ones who don't like living near animals. We are residential/agricultural, we have 9 acres so can have animals but one neighbor gives us a really hard time. They are "snooty" and don't want to live near a farm. Our neighbors don't like kid noises either and complain loudly about kids playing. Ya can't win with some people. They should go and live like hermits if they don't like hearing your children.

[The Paw]

Talking to a lawyer is never a bad idea, but I would talk to the zoning people first, see what they say, and see if a lawyer is required.

Before you go roaring off in search of "culprits", filing police reports, suing anyone, etc. take a deep breath and get an objective opinion on this letter. You are a little vague on what it says. Some people feel "keep your animals quiet or I will report you" is threatening. Some people feel "keep your animals quiet or I will sue you" is a threat. Neither of these is really a reportable offense. Even "keep your animals quiet or else" is 50/50.

Unless they specifically threaten to shoot you or your animals, beat the crap out of you, or vandalize your stuff, I wouldn't necessarily go roaring off to the police. Lots of people are free with confrontational advice when they are 1,000 miles away and on the internet. You are the one who has to deal with any consequences from escalating the situation, so make sure of your facts and make your decisions calmly.

Good luck.

[jimandpj]

Thank you all for your input.

We've searched all our records (deed and other stuff), and can find no limitations on what we're allowed to have on our land (which doesn't mean there aren't any).

We are definitely not zoned a subdivision (the letter claimed we were zoned a "mini-subdivision", but the zoning guy did tell me there is no such zoning).

PinkBat - I asked the realtor what the property was zoned. She came back the next day and said, "A1". And nope, I didn't look into it any further than that.

The letter was not threatening, as in threatening physical violence on us. It was the cowardly act of sending it anonymously, and the tone he/she used. I finished reading it and said to myself, "this is the kind of coward that will poison my goats when we go food shopping." That and the fact that my way of life is being threatened.

We called a police friend. He said to wait to find out what we are zoned and what is allowed. If we are allowed to have our animals, then he suggested filing an "information report" to have the letter on record in case anything happens later.

We will not do anything until we ascertain whether we are legally allowed to keep these animals.

Whatever happens, I am trusting that God has a reason for it, and now I just have to calm down enough to sleep through the night!

Thanks again,
PJ

[cowboyracer43]

If worse comes to worst and it turns out that your tract is not zoned A1, I would start looking for some ag zoned land. I would also be cognizant of the fact that realtors must have an "errors and omissions" liability insurance policy. Had you been advised of the "residential" zoning, if indeed that is the case, your search for a piece of ground would have continued.

[Qwispea]

Relax PJ ..relax!

No amount of worrying about what may or may not be is going to change anything that's already written. You still have your home ..your animals ..and your husband. Life is still good. Take it easy on yourself ..and tomorrow you can begin to track down the answers you seek.


Best wishes to you and yours..

[MELOC]

zoning can change when you least expect it. mine was zoned ag and then a restricted ag. i keep my eye on the newpaper where zoning hearings are announced and i missed the listing where it was changed to residential. i think they were sneaky with that one.

maybe your zoning has changed.

[homebirtha]

Oh gosh, what a stress.

Every state, county, municipality is different, so I can only tell you what the rules have been places we've lived. In one county in Maryland, you could have animals on anything over 3 acres, no matter if it was zoned ag or residential. Unless you were in any kind of subdivision, which could then have its own rules. The place we lived was 3 acres, but it was also in a small subdivision (only 8 houses), but it did have its own set of rules. They allowed for horses, but no other livestock. So we did have chickens, but could have been forced to get rid of them if the neighbors didn't like them. We could have applied the neighbors to be allowed other animals if we wanted them. Anyway, the point is, this was all spelled out in the information we got when we bought the house. Now, this area didn't look like a subdivision, but had been spelled out that way when it was built. So depending on how your place was divided up, it may be a subdivision and you just don't know it. However, the seller is required to give the buyer that information, so someone would be liable for you not being informed.

In addition to going to zoning, you might also want to check with the realtor who sold you the place and make sure it's deeded as some kind of subdivision. How old is your house? Was it divided off a larger parcel? Were other properties divided off with it? If so, there may be subdivision laws that you don't know about. Oh, but I think most of those kind of rules expire after 20 years.

Hang in there. I hope you get the answers you need tomorrow.

[Beltane]

We are zoned agricultural / residential. Agriculture is such a big thing in these parts that it usually rules the roost. Please let us know what you find out. How awful for you.

[Micahn]

Sorry to hear that some one moved in near you and now decides to change how others live because they do not like it. I will never understand how someone can buy a home some place without checking every thing out first. Them are the same people who think that every one should act just the way they want them to and nothing else should be done.
If I was worried that someone would poison my animals I would take measures to stop that.
The first thing to do is to make sure to feed them before you leave so they will not be hungry.
I would also think about putting up some sort of camera that would catch anyone messing with things. You can get them sort of cheap now days. Something like this one hidden close to your animals might do the trick
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...rTarget=browse

I hope all works ok for you.

[froggirl]

I guess a person could try and get their kids to quiet down a bit but how do you shut-up chickens and goats???
It sounds like they're telling you to make them be quiet...is that really what they're asking. I just don't get people.
--f.g.