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Cross Plains board raises household poultry limit to 10 and sets enclosure size
Summary
Trustees voted to amend ordinance 21.22 to increase the household limit for chickens and ducks from six to ten and to allow enclosures up to 100 square feet; trustees discussed noise, smell and potential small‑scale egg production before approving the change.
The Village of Cross Plains board on March 23 approved an amendment to municipal ordinance 21.22 changing the household limit for chickens and ducks from six to ten and permitting enclosures up to 100 square feet.
The change originated from a resident petition supported by roughly 50 signatures seeking a size‑ and setback‑based standard rather than a numeric cap. The plan commission reviewed and recommended amendment language; trustees discussed the proposal, noting the original rationale for a six‑bird minimum (animal health) and that an initial resident request asked for 12 birds before the number was lowered to 10 through plan commission feedback.
Trustees debated the social and nuisance aspects of increasing bird counts, including noise and smell and the risk of households moving beyond hobby flocks to small commercial egg production. Some trustees questioned incremental increases over recent years; others said ten birds strikes a balance that accommodates larger families without creating farm‑scale operations.
After discussion the board passed the amendment to allow up to 10 birds per lot with a 100‑square‑foot enclosure.
