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Council revises poultry rules: rabbits, hens and pigeons kept in lower‑point category; pheasants and peacocks reclassified
Summary
Midway Council adjusted the animal point system: it clarified low‑point listing to explicitly include rabbits, hens and pigeons and moved pheasants (and peacocks) to a larger‑bird category, changing how many birds are permitted per lot size to assist enforcement and reduce nuisance complaints.
The Midway City Council voted to adopt changes to the municipal animal‑point system in Ordinance 2025‑20, refining how poultry and similar birds are categorized and counted for residential land‑use purposes.
Staff explained the point system that assigns animals numeric values used to calculate permitted animals on parcels (the point system applies to half‑acre parcels and larger). Unidentified Speaker 4 said the change aims to reduce the number of small birds that can be kept on a given parcel and make enforcement easier after past nuisance cases (including a site with thousands of pheasants). "The thought was this would bring down the number the number of birds and perhaps help neighbors to get along and make enforcement a little bit easier," Unidentified Speaker 4 said.
Council debated options: staff initially proposed changing the points assigned to small birds from 2 to 5, which would substantially reduce the number allowed on a half acre. After discussion and failed substitute motions (no second on several proposals), the council settled on an approach that explicitly lists rabbits, hens and pigeons in the lower‑point category (2 points) and moves pheasants — and peacocks (peafowl) — into a larger‑bird category with a higher point value and a clearer "similar size" qualifier.
Staff and council members emphasized the change is largely intended to prevent future large‑scale animal holdings that produce persistent complaints while not forcing most existing small‑lot owners to remove animals. The council clarified the point system applies differently based on parcel size and that separate code language controls chickens and rabbits on small lots. The motion to approve the ordinance changes, with the stated edits and classification refinements, passed on a roll‑call vote with 'aye' votes recorded from council members present.
Next steps: staff will update code text to reflect the explicit lists and the 'similar size' language for other birds and will incorporate peacocks/peafowl into the larger‑bird classification as directed.
