What are the local zoning codes like here? I looked at three sources, and each had it’s own answer.

Zoning Office Conversation
I had a cursory conversation with someone in the Syracuse Zoning office about this about a year ago (when I found the Urban Chicken website), and the rule of thumb I was given was that anything considered a farm animal was not allowed in the city. Simple enough. But what’s the law actually say?

Syracuse Zoning Ordinances
Writing this blog, I decided to take a quick scroll through the Syracuse Zoning Ordinances. Part C mentions “General Recommendations” for “Home Occupations.” One cluster of “activities specially prohibited” are “Veterinary services, kennels, animal grooming, animal breeding, butchering, taxidermy, or other activities involving live or dead animals” in that they are “incompatible with maintaining the residential character of a dwelling unit or being potentially disruptive to other properties.” Okay, a butcher I can understand, but any “activity involving live animals”? I can’t have a chicken, cow…. or cat?

The City Chicken Website
Since I just posted about two informational blogs about city chickens, I figured I’d look through them a bit. Lo and behold, I found this. It says “Syracuse, NY. Chickens sometimes allowed. Depends on zoning. No roosters. ” But there is no source! From where did this information come?

Conclusion
Nothing solid (other than I can’t have any pets at all). Any one know anything more about this for Syracuse? What do the other towns and villages around Central New York say about this issue?