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Council denies variance to allow backyard chicken coop near neighbors
Summary
The council refused a requested variance to locate penned chickens within the business-district setback; neighbors cited health and odor concerns and councilmembers said the city ordinance requires a 50-foot separation from adjacent properties.
The Sulphur City Council denied a request for a variance that would have allowed a backyard chicken enclosure to sit near the owner's property line after neighbors raised health and odor concerns.
What happened: Property owner Valerie DeVille (speaking for the household) asked the council for a variance to keep a fully enclosed chicken coop that sits on the rear property line. She said the enclosure is covered and maintained with poultry best practices and that neighbors had initially told her they had no objection. Several nearby residents — including Albert Schultz and other neighbors who said they have respiratory conditions — urged the council to deny the variance, citing proximity (the coop sat about 12 feet from one neighbor's kitchen window), potential odor, flies and disease risk.
Ordinance and council response: Council members said the city code requires a 50-foot setback from property lines in such cases and that granting this variance would create a precedent for other similar requests. The council voted against the variance.
Why it matters: The vote enforces the city's separation rules for animal enclosures within city limits and illustrates tension between property owners' personal-use activities and adjacent residents' health concerns.
Ending: Councilmembers offered to meet the homeowner after the meeting to discuss alternatives, including relocating the coop to meet setback requirements or other adjustments that would address neighbors' concerns.
