Board adopts local law regulating chicken coops; fee reduced and inspections scheduled every two years

The Village Board adopted Local Law No. 4 of 2025 on May 12, amending chapter 112 of the zoning code to regulate backyard chicken coops.

Trustees debated flock size and inspection fees during public comment. Resident Dana McWhite requested increasing the maximum flock from six to eight and lowering permitting fees; trustees and staff subsequently lowered the initial permit fee and maintained a two-year inspection interval. During the public session, a board member summarized the compromise: "We are gonna reduce the permit fee, substantially, actually. And we are still gonna do 2 year inspections."

At the meeting the board made the formal motion to adopt Local Law No. 4 of 2025 amending chapter 112 zoning relative to the regulation of chicken coops; the motion was called and the law was adopted as written (the meeting transcript records adoption under "Resolution number 4" with no additional amendments noted on the record).

Staff clarified that an initial inspection would occur when a coop is newly established to confirm setbacks and compliance with standards; subsequent inspections will occur every two years. A village official said inspections are intended to ensure coops follow setback and welfare guidelines rather than to harass owners.

The ordinance text and final fee schedule were available in the agenda packet; trustees indicated they would make fee details clear in the published local law and permit materials. The transcript does not include a recorded roll-call tally in the discussion excerpt; the action on May 12 was recorded as adopted in the meeting minutes.