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Paralegal Likes Tenants' Chickens - But County Says They've Got To Go

By Lynne DeVenny

If California paralegal and landlord Cynthia Buendia doesn't mind Clarabelle, Minnie, Mary and Alice living in her rental home, then why do they have a month to move?

Because they're chickens, and Sacramento County doesn't allow them on parcels of 10,000 square feet or less.

Even though they lay fresh eggs every morning.

Landlord Cynthia Buendia didn't think the chickens would be a problem. There is one neighbor on either side of the house, and the back fence is at the foot of the levee reining in the American River, a regular stop for wild turkeys, quail and wood ducks.

"They're really good tenants and they've maintained the home really well," said Buendia, a paralegal. "And the chickens are their pets. If someone came to me and said, 'By the way, we don't allow dogs in the neighborhood,' I would have a difficult time coming to grips with that."

Only one of the neighbors interviewed for this article seems anxious to see the chickens go. He denied reporting the chickens to the County, but grumbled, "I can hear them in my house with the doors and windows closed." (How does he know he's not hearing turkeys, quail or wood ducks?)

I can hear my neighbor's child practicing her trumpet, er, less than successfully, with my doors and windows closed.

Some "clucking and coos in the morning" from four little chickens would be downright relaxing after that.

Source: Modesto Bee

Full post as published by Practical Paralegalism on January 11, 2010 (boomark / email).