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Council hears competing views on hobby chickens; several members favor keeping current limits
Summary
Staff presented a proposed rewrite of the domestic fowl ordinance that would scale permitted birds by acreage and add setbacks, coop standards and a training requirement; several council members signaled they prefer to retain the existing small-lot hobby limits and to study targeted exceptions instead of a broad change.
The council reviewed a proposed amendment to Chapter 4 that would expand the city’s domestic fowl rules beyond the current small-lot hobby approach. The draft ordinance recommended an acreage-based allowance (roughly eight birds per acre with a 30-bird cap), coop and run-size minimums (4 sq. ft. indoors per bird; about 20 sq. ft. outdoors per bird), setbacks, nuisance provisions, a biosecurity training requirement and a permit process.
Chamber and staff presentation: Greg (presenter) and staff said the proposal was based on a survey of other cities and animal‑welfare guidance; it includes options to allow larger numbers on larger parcels while protecting neighbors through setbacks, coop standards and a required two‑hour extension-course for new permit holders.
Council concerns and outcome: several council members said a maximum of 30 birds turns a hobby into a commercial flock and raised enforcement concerns for code and animal control. Multiple members asked that existing permit holders be grandfathered for small numbers and suggested using a special-exception or variance-style mechanism for larger flocks rather than changing the baseline hobby limit. The item was discussed at length and ultimately tabled for further revision; council did not adopt the proposed ordinance at this meeting.
Next steps: staff will revise the draft to address council feedback (smaller‑lot rules, clearer run/coop definitions, neighbor-notice or special-exception criteria, and predator/health guidance) and return the ordinance for further consideration.
