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Residents urge East Providence council to legalize and regulate backyard chickens
Summary
Residents, led by Nicole Grant, urged the council to adopt a regulated backyard‑chicken ordinance that would allow hens while requiring feed storage, secure coops, routine cleaning and an education program; petitioners told the council they gathered 639 signatures with roughly 296 East Providence registrants.
A group of East Providence residents asked the City Council to adopt a regulated backyard‑chicken ordinance that would allow hens with clear sanitation, housing and education requirements.
Nicole Grant, speaking for petitioners, told the council she was representing residents who want “a balanced ordinance that allows backyard chickens while protecting our community.” Grant said the petition has 639 signatures and that 296 are East Providence registered voters. She outlined proposed rules to reduce wildlife attraction (secure feed storage, sealed containers), require enclosed coops and runs, mandate routine cleaning to prevent odors and flies, and ban roosters to avoid noise complaints. Grant said the group has prepared an education curriculum and offered the city a community partner for implementation.
“An ordinance will proactively combat wildlife concerns and set the standard for responsible ownership,” Grant said, adding that legalization would allow education and enforcement rather than driving flocks underground.
Other speakers endorsed legalization. Gideon Finnerty told the council, “This ordinance is better for East Providence because it will help keep chicken coops safer and more sanitary,” and said legal pathways would encourage residents to share resources and reduce nuisance complaints. A young speaker who identified herself as Esther described chickens as part of family life: “I have a chicken named Pixlist. She has just started laying eggs… She has been a really good chicken.”
Council members thanked speakers and noted the concerns raised — public‑health risks such as salmonella were discussed in the presentation and proponents answered with CDC outbreak data and proposals for owner education. The council did not vote on the chicken ordinance at this meeting; speakers asked the council to continue the conversation and to consider an ordinance that includes enforcement and education components.
The council acknowledged the presentation and public comments and moved on to subsequent agenda items.
