June McCarty, a Dickinson resident, presented a detailed proposal during the commission’s July 9 work session to allow backyard chickens within city limits under a permit system.

"I'm proposing a backyard chicken model for the city of Dickinson because I've experienced a significant gap in resources when unprecedented times show themselves," McCarty said, framing the proposal as a measure to increase local food resilience. Her plan recommended allowing 4 to 6 hens per single-family household, no roosters, a permit with a one-time application fee plus an annual renewal fee, a minimum backyard size of 5,000 square feet, coop setbacks (minimum 5 feet from property lines; 3 feet from adjacent structures), coop elevation and rodent-resistant construction, and run space of roughly 10 to 20 square feet per bird. The proposal also recommended that permit fees contribute to animal-control resources or youth-agriculture programs (4‑H/FFA).

McCarty cited national market concentration and recent avian-flu impacts when urging more local options for egg production; she said the proposal was based on examples from other North Dakota cities and includes permit and site-plan requirements intended to limit nuisance and health risks.

City Attorney Wanko told the commission the program would affect multiple departments and emphasized that enforcement logistics and costs must be analyzed before adopting an ordinance. "If this is going to move forward, the logistical aspects of that enforcement mechanism need to be analyzed," Wanko said, noting potential demands on police, code enforcement and animal-control operations and that the animal shelter currently lacks infrastructure to house fowl.

Tiffany Stewart, code enforcement, said licensing and inspection duties would involve the finance/auditor’s office, building inspections and possibly fire-department review; she warned that some residents historically resist licensing requirements and that enforcement will carry staff time and costs.

Commissioners discussed options including pilot programs or limits on the number of initial licenses, and several suggested staff research how similarly sized North Dakota cities manage permitting, fees and enforcement. Commissioner comments ranged from support for a small pilot to concern that permit fees may not cover enforcement costs. McCarty said she would consider a ballot measure or petition if the commission requested broader community input.

No ordinance change or vote was taken; commissioners asked staff to return with a financial and enforcement analysis and additional research before scheduling public hearings or drafting ordinance language.