Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Petoskey council asks city attorney to draft ordinance to allow backyard chickens and ducks
Summary
After a contentious discussion, council voted 3–2 to direct the manager to have legal counsel draft a best-practices ordinance permitting hens and ducks with safeguards; supporters cited MSU Extension guidance, opponents warned of enforcement burdens and nuisances.
Council members debated whether Petoskey should allow residents to keep backyard chickens and ducks and ultimately directed the city manager on Nov. 17 to ask legal counsel to draft an ordinance for council consideration.
Council Member Derek Shields introduced the item after residents asked whether poultry were permitted; he said a narrowly drawn ordinance with best-practice standards would support sustainability goals and year-round livability. Supporters and members of the public cited a Michigan State University Extension bulletin that recommends modest setbacks, limits on flock size (commonly four to six hens), and a prohibition on roosters to avoid noise nuisances.
Opponents, including council members who voted no, raised enforcement and resource concerns. They said permits, registration, inspections or yearly fees could create new administrative tasks for public-safety and code staff and that vague nuisance language (noise, odor, animals at large) needs precise definitions. Several residents who testified urged careful rules rather than a categorical ban.
After discussion the council voted 3–2 to direct City Manager Shane Horn to coordinate with the city attorney to draft an ordinance based on Northern Michigan municipal examples and MSU Extension best practices; the roll call was Shields, Walker and Nachtreb in favor, DeMoor and Murphy opposed.
What’s next: City staff and legal counsel will prepare a draft ordinance for an upcoming council meeting so members can review specific setback distances, flock-size limits, permit or inspection requirements and enforcement language before any final vote.
