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Council to clarify animal-keeping rules; staff to draft ordinance allowing humane backyard harvest in certain zones
Summary
Councilmembers directed staff to return with ordinance language clarifying whether residents may harvest chickens and other livestock kept lawfully on city lots. The draft amendments would allow discreet, humane harvesting on properties where the animals are lawfully kept, limit public exposure and address disposal and nuisance controls.
City staff asked the council Aug. 25 for guidance on updating local animal‑keeping rules to address whether residents may slaughter or harvest animals lawfully kept on city property. The discussion grew out of questions about backyard chickens that stop laying and whether owners may humanely harvest those birds and how to regulate the practice without creating public nuisance or health concerns.
Sean (city staff) presented a draft approach based on other municipalities’ ordinances and asked the council whether the city should permit slaughter or harvest of "livestock" that are lawfully kept. The draft language under discussion would permit…
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