Backyard chickens and livestock are common in unincorporated Madison County, though the county zoning resolution governs where they are kept. Alabama abolished open range: Ala. Code §3-5-2 bars letting any animal run at large and makes the owner liable.
Keeping poultry and livestock is a normal rural use across unincorporated Madison County, in Hazel Green, Meridianville, and Harvest, subject to the county zoning resolution that governs agricultural and residential districts. Alabama law imposes a hard duty regardless of zoning. Under Ala. Code §3-5-2 there are no open-range counties, and an owner may not knowingly, negligently, or wilfully let livestock run at large onto another's property or onto public roads. Section 3-5-3 makes the owner liable for damage a loose animal causes and gives the injured party a lien on it. Containment is the owner's job, and a crowing rooster or hog odor can still be pursued as a private nuisance.
Letting livestock run at large violates §3-5-2 and exposes the owner to liability under §3-5-3 for crop, vehicle, and property damage, plus a lien on the animal. A persistent rooster or odor nuisance can be abated in civil court.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Madison County, AL
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Madison County, AL
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Madison County, AL
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See how Madison County's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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