Commissioners direct staff to draft a less‑restrictive urban chicken ordinance with setbacks and a one‑time permit

On June 9 members of the St. Joseph Planning Commission discussed three draft ordinance approaches for backyard chickens and indicated a preference for a less‑restrictive, tiered approach that balances residents’ interest in urban agriculture with neighbor protections.

Planning staff presented three options ranging from most restrictive (minimum one‑acre lots and strict setbacks) to least restrictive (tiered limits by lot size, 15‑foot setbacks from property lines). Commissioners discussed the number of hens per lot, whether eggs should be sold from private homes, and whether on‑site slaughter should be allowed. A commissioner stated plainly, “I don't want to see any slaughtering on site,” and commissioners agreed to prohibit roosters and to remove on‑site slaughter from the draft pathways.

The commission asked staff to return with ordinance language that follows a less‑restrictive pathway with clear setback requirements, a requirement that a coop and run be sited to face the owner's house rather than adjacent neighbors, a one‑time permit and an inspection process triggered by complaints. Commissioners said noise, smell and nuisance standards in existing city code would apply and that staff should include enforcement language and a revocation mechanism for permit violations.

What happens next: Staff will prepare draft ordinance language reflecting the commission's direction (tiered hen limits by lot size, no roosters, setback and coop‑orientation requirements, one‑time permit) for future Planning Commission review and a public hearing.