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Commission opens backyard‑chicken review; sends recommendations to steering committee
Summary
Following months of neighborhood requests and examples from nearby cities, the commission discussed allowing more backyard chickens in Fargo and voted to send the issue to the steering committee for a recommendation to return at the March meeting.
The Cass Clay Food Commission discussed a request to increase the number of backyard chickens allowed in Fargo from four to six and voted to send a formal review to the commission’s steering committee for recommendations.
Commissioner John Strand raised the issue at the request of local residents and asked the commission to consider whether Fargo should align with nearby jurisdictions that allow more birds. Adam Altenberg, representing the Fargo‑Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments, summarized local practice: Fargo currently allows four chickens in residential zoning; Moorhead permits up to six (and up to 12 on lots of 1 acre or more); West Fargo allows six; Dilworth does not allow chickens; Horace allows animals in certain large‑lot zones.
Altenberg noted that Fargo briefly allowed six chickens during a temporary COVID‑era ordinance from May to September 2020 but the allowance later expired. He also noted coop‑size standards in Fargo’s ordinance (4 sq. ft. per bird inside a coop; 10 sq. ft. per bird in an enclosed run) and said that upsizing from four to six could require some existing coop owners to expand and request reinspection.
Commissioners from Moorhead and West Fargo described their recent ordinance updates and said those cities included measures such as grandfathering existing permits and adjusting coop/run specifications to improve health and safety while maintaining accessibility. Commissioners and steering‑committee members raised common concerns: whether increased density increases disease risk, nuisance complaints (escaped birds, roosters and crowing), and whether coop specifications create a barrier for residents who lack carpentry skills.
After discussion, Commissioner Strand moved to send the backyard‑chicken topic and related blueprint questions to the steering committee with the request that the steering committee return a recommendation to the commission at the March 12 meeting; Commissioner Miller seconded. The commission approved the referral by voice vote.
What the steering committee was asked to assess: whether to recommend that Fargo modify its numeric limits, whether coop and run specifications should be revised (including grandfathering existing permit holders), and whether education/outreach or permit adjustments would lower complaint rates.
