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Council adopts Ordinance 1885 to allow backyard chickens in nonagricultural and rural zones
Summary
The Sydney City Council on Dec. 2 adopted Ordinance 1885, permitting backyard chickens in nonagricultural and rural zones after waiving three readings; the measure passed 4–1 and staff said enforcement and animal-neglect provisions were strengthened in the final draft.
The Sydney City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 1885 on Dec. 2, allowing backyard chickens in the city’s nonagricultural and rural zones. Council members waived the three-reading requirement and passed the ordinance on a 4–1 roll-call vote. The clerk read the ordinance number as 1885.
City staff described the version before council as a final draft produced after collaboration with resident Megan Donardo and Code Enforcement Officer Sierra Nicholl. Staff said the revision removed a requirement for a privacy fence and added expanded enforcement measures and clearer language addressing animal neglect. “A lot of those revisions was the enforcement side of things,” staff told council while presenting the draft.
A councilmember moved to place the ordinance on the floor and later moved to waive three readings; that waiver carried 4–1. On final passage, the ordinance was approved and the council also moved to publish the ordinance following passage.
Supporters on the council commended Donardo’s work on the draft; staff reiterated the changes are intended to give code enforcement and police clearer guidance for addressing violations. Opponents recorded one dissenting vote during both the waiver and final passage.
The ordinance amends chapter 618 to add section 618.06, titled “backyard chickens.” Staff said it is effective upon publication; the clerk moved to publish the ordinance after passage.
Next steps: staff will complete publication and implement the updated code-enforcement procedures outlined in the ordinance.
