The Fulton City Council voted to adopt Bill 17-48, a code amendment changing limits on livestock and fowl that will permit more residents to keep chickens inside city limits.

The ordinance, described at the meeting as an amendment to chapter 14, article 1 of the Fulton City Code, was presented for final passage after council members said staff and legal counsel reviewed how the change interacts with homeowners associations. "HOAs can provide stricter rules, but they cannot make rules that would be lesser than what the ordinance requires," Deputy Mayor Hinchey said, summarizing legal guidance provided to the council.

The change allows up to six chickens on smaller lots and up to 10 chickens on lots of one acre or more, according to council discussion. "We did have something in place where you could have chickens, if you had over an acre previously," Councilwoman Nelson said, noting the ordinance expands eligibility rather than introducing backyard poultry for the first time in Fulton.

A resident who spoke during public comment, David McDaniel of 826 Court Street, opposed allowing chickens in the city. "I know there's predatory animals, there's coyotes...that's going to bring more of those type of animals into our town," McDaniel said, adding that he recently saw a skunk on his property.

Council members and staff also emphasized rules included in the bill that would limit where and how animals are kept. "A person can't just go and throw a bunch of chickens in their backyard. They have to follow certain rules and guidelines in order to do this," Deputy Mayor Hinchey said during discussion.

On final consideration the roll call showed five affirmative votes and the clerk announced the motion carried. The ordinance had been presented and discussed at prior meetings and was read three times before final passage at this meeting.

Council members and staff encouraged residents with questions about specific property restrictions or HOA rules to consult the city or their HOA counsel for guidance.