Residents push to loosen Millvillechicken rule; commissioners say ordinance dates to 2001 and will be reviewed

Several residents told the Millville Board of Commissioners on March 17 that the citys zoning effectively bans backyard chickens by requiring one-acre minimums.

"It is seen that you can't have a single chicken on less than a full acre in Millville," said Angelica Hanstein, who asked the commission to consider smaller-lot allowances and suggested setbacks, coop-sizing and a permit system as alternatives. Hanstein and others argued small-scale poultry can promote food self-sufficiency and neighborhood engagement and urged the city to allow limited hens on typical quarter-acre lots.

Pastor Alec Bryant and other supporters framed the change as one element of broader sustainable-living and community-garden efforts and proposed education on coops and animal care.

Commissioners responded that chickens are not newly banned but regulated by a zoning rule adopted about 26 years ago. "This has been in effect since 2001," Mayor Dixon said, explaining the ordinance was intended to limit nuisances such as smell, rodents and birds crossing fences. Commissioners emphasized that enforcement is complaint-driven and that code-enforcement staff are already busy with many priorities.

Several commissioners said they would look again at ordinances used by other municipalities and review the citys language, but several expressed reluctance to create new enforcement burdens or to change rules immediately. No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; commissioners said the issue will be further explored and that staff will report back.