Committee begins review of backyard-chicken rules; seeks feedback on coop size, flock limits and extraterritorial issues

County zoning staff presented example backyard-poultry ordinances from neighboring jurisdictions and asked committee members for guidance on a draft policy to regulate residential chicken-keeping. The discussion focused on common limits (4–10 hens), excluding roosters in residential areas, coop design and setbacks to reduce nuisance complaints.

Staff noted that the city’s extraterritorial zone is governed largely by city rules and that county zoning interacts with those areas differently; staff will confirm extraterritorial applicability before drafting final language. Examples from other jurisdictions included minimum coop enclosure requirements, rules on visibility from the right of way, and limits on roaming versus contained outdoor runs.

Committee members raised concerns about complaints and enforcement (odors, noise and predator control). Extension staff and others discussed animal-health and husbandry best practices; one extension participant noted space and ventilation are important for flock health and humidity control. The committee requested staff combine preferred provisions from the sample ordinances and return with a draft for public review and comment prior to adoption.

Next steps: staff will prepare a consolidated draft that specifies a maximum number of hens, coop and run standards, setback and visibility rules, and a provision addressing extraterritorial oversight; the draft will be returned for committee direction at a future meeting.