City fines woman $80,000 despite granting chicken permit
- Kathryn Sarkisian received a city permit to keep chickens but was later fined due to a neighbor's complaint.
- The city of Douglas failed to notify neighbors about their right to object before issuing the permit.
- Sarkisian is suing the city of Douglas, claiming the ordinance violates her due process rights.
In Douglas, Michigan, Kathryn Sarkisian obtained a permit to keep chickens after receiving approval from the city. Shortly after, however, the city reversed its decision and ordered her to remove the chickens due to a complaint from a neighbor. Despite having followed the proper permitting process, which included a 21-day window for neighbor objections, the city failed to notify neighbors until after the permit was granted. As a result, Sarkisian has incurred approximately $80,000 in fines for refusing to comply with the city's demands. The financial burden escalated as the city also did not clarify when the fines began to accrue. If calculated from when Sarkisian started raising the chickens, the total could exceed $200,000. Sarkisian spent substantial funds—$23,000—constructing a coop and privacy fence anticipating compliance with local regulations. The fact that the city's oversight resulted in this predicament highlights a significant flaw in their ordinance implementation. Sarkisian has taken legal action against the city, arguing that their ordinance violates due process rights. The lawsuit claims the city’s regulations do not provide sufficient standards or avenues for appealing a neighbor's complaint. She has been supported in this legal battle by groups like the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. This case draws attention to broader issues regarding local ordinances that govern backyard animals and the rights of residents. In recent months, similar cases involving chicken ordinances have emerged in Michigan, signaling a trend where local authorities struggle with regulation clarity and enforcement. The outcome of Sarkisian’s legal battle could potentially shape the future of such ordinances and set precedents regarding residents' rights in light of municipal regulations. As of now, the status of her six chickens—affectionately named Sugar, Sunshine, Cinnamon, Butter, Piper, and Queen Isabella—remains uncertain while debt and legal battles loom.