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Board continues debate on chickens in residential zones; staff to clarify ordinance to HOAs
Summary
The board continued a lengthy discussion of allowing chickens in residential neighborhoods, with staff explaining the city allows fowl in R1A zoning but most recent subdivisions are R1D; members urged sending clear guidance to HOA presidents and using complaint-based enforcement. The City Attorney was asked to draft HOA communication ahead of a May 6 meeting.
The board resumed a discussion, begun at a prior meeting, about whether and where residents may keep chickens. City staff explained current city code allows fowl in R1A zoning districts; most recent subdivisions are zoned R1D, which typically does not allow chickens. Staff said county regulations and state actions affecting HOAs complicate the picture, and board members reported resident confusion about whether HOAs or the city control the rules.
Board members discussed lot-size and zoning specifics: staff said R1A zoning typically requires a minimum one-acre lot, while county regulations mentioned in the discussion referenced a separate 10,000-square (units stated in the meeting) requirement for animals. Several members cautioned that neighboring cities have faced lawsuits or threats of litigation after changing codes, and one cited a "Right to Farm" constitutional amendment as a point of legal caution.
Rather than imposing new citywide prohibitions, the board favored clarifying and publicizing existing ordinance language. Members suggested targeting HOA leadership with written guidance and discussed an HOA dinner on May 6 as an opportunity to communicate the city's ordinance and enforcement approach. The board asked City Attorney John Young to draft recommended language for HOA distribution. Staff said code enforcement would begin with notice and warnings in response to complaints rather than proactive enforcement.
The discussion produced no code change at this meeting; instead the board directed staff to prepare communications for HOA leadership and to present the issue at the May 6 HOA meeting.
