Board of Health, building and animal‑control officials urge caution; committee tables order on backyard hens

The Ordinance Committee on March 19 heard a long discussion about whether to permit backyard chickens in residential neighborhoods and then voted to table the item to allow more study.

Directors and staff from the Board of Health, the Building Department and animal control described operational and public‑health concerns that would follow from allowing poultry in dense residential areas. Leslie Ward, Director of the Board of Health, said ordinance text currently limits livestock and related waste to agricultural zones and noted odor, waste‑management, rodent attraction and complaint volumes as enforcement risks if poultry were allowed more broadly. Animal Control Officer Eric (surname not specified) said his office is the city’s single enforcement resource for animal issues and warned that the department does not have capacity to manage a large influx of small‑livestock complaints; he also noted the city lacks an established intake/housing pathway for loose or seized birds.

Speakers also recalled prior council consideration. Councilor Paul Jourdain and others said a similar proposal was considered and voted down years ago and that any future allowance would likely require a special‑permit process with abutter notification. Several councilors proposed an ad‑hoc study committee or a public‑hearing process to gather more evidence and to draft concrete standards (setback from property lines, maximum flock size, prohibition of roosters, feed/storage rules, disease‑prevention requirements) before changing zoning.

Committee members voted to table the order so that sponsors can organize a focused study or committee that includes Department of Public Health staff, building and animal‑control staff and council sponsors. The Board of Health and animal control staff supported further study and recommended formalized permit or special‑permit procedures if the council wishes to pursue changes.