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Resident Urges Change to Zoning to Allow Backyard Chickens; Council Agrees to Place Issue on Legislative List
Summary
A resident asked council to change zoning that requires 10,000 sq. ft. minimum to keep chickens; borough staff said code change would be required and agreed to place the matter on the legislative list for future consideration.
Resident Jesse Rabinowitz told Columbia Borough Council he and his wife grow food in their yard and asked the borough to reconsider a zoning rule that bars most in-town residents from keeping backyard chickens. Rabinowitz said the zoning code permits only two chickens on lots of 10,000 square feet or more, which effectively excludes most properties in the borough. Rabinowitz asked whether the borough would consider changing the zoning to allow a small number of chickens on typical in-town lots, noting common exceptions in other municipalities that restrict roosters and set coop-size and sanitation standards. Borough staff said changing the rule would require an amendment to the zoning code and that the council could direct staff to prepare draft legislation. Staff suggested that an individual homeowner could pursue a special exception before the zoning hearing board in the meantime. Council directed staff to add the matter to the legislation list for future review and possible drafting of an amendment. No formal ordinance was proposed at the meeting, and council did not set a timetable for review.
