I know this is a little off but here is a quick story I'd like to hear how you got the city to "accept" your rodents or reptiles for real biz.



I am a breeder of rodents here in SLC utah. Out in the suburbs close to agricultural but not zoned that. I breed out of my house. It's tech a 10x12 shed thats fully setup and has 16 breeders and a holder system in totes. In my garage I have another 40 breeder totes for rats and then 16 for mice and soft furs. Then some ten gallon tanks for holding baby's and whatnot. Well In the middle of summer a customer called animal control and said i had sick rats. they came by and said everything was looking good but i would have to get a biz license to continue. I didn't have the garage setup yet. I decided to go in front of the city zoning and they said there was nothing against it, but since there was nothing for it. The answer was NO on the license. So I went underground. All good for a while. I grew more breeders. I went to a local reptile expo. there is another rodent breeder there. Well shortly after the expo animal control got another complaint. Hmmm wonder who. Anyways they just recently came and inspected again and still liked what i was doing but again (second warning) get a biz license.



here is where it gets fun. I go talk to zoning again. still no. I go with affidavits from my surrounding neighbors saying that they were ok with my rodents. got pictures of all my property showing that id looked like a normal house from the outside. Had animal control talk to them saying they had no problems with me. Had pictures of all my setup showing it was professional. The main person in zoning said there was no problems but legally since there was nothing on the books about what i am doing (after I convinced her it wasn't a kennel) the answer was no. I now am going to go in front of the city council and plead my case for a home occupation license and zoning hearing.



The few here that do it legal out of there house are few and far. One guy sunset reptiles is cleared through another city to have his snakes and breed just enough to feed said reptiles. And if there is any real issues with smell or escape he is out. Reptile rescue local seven years ago had to raise hell with them to get his permit in the same city. The competition is in rural and may even be zoned agriculture. but that city had no real prob. as long as all the neighbors didn't care. Jeremy stone (big ball python breeder out of provoish) has a high dollar commercial building but is not permitted to breed his own feeders so he HAS TO BUY OUTSIDE RODENTS.



Why is there such stigma about rats and mice? (don't answer I know) What did you do to convince the city that it's all good to have and or breed rodents?

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