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Council tables review of livestock ordinance amid questions about allowing backyard chickens
Summary
Council began a review of Ordinance 43 (livestock restrictions) after inquiries about allowing chickens in city limits. Members asked staff to have an intern research current codes and return with recommended redlines; council voted to table the item pending that work.
City staff introduced Ordinance 43, which prohibits most livestock within Hamlet city limits but allows livestock present before the ordinance effective date to remain (nonreplacement clause). The item was prompted by a recent inquiry about chickens and by Rockingham County's recent changes to allow chickens in some areas.
Councilors discussed potential local rules modeled on nearby jurisdictions' approaches: common suggestions included allowing up to six hens (no roosters), setbacks from property lines, and limiting chickens to certain zoning districts or personal use only. Staff noted the code review will be part of an intern's summer work to update the city's ordinances and bring recommended redlines back to council.
A councilor moved to table the ordinance review until staff and the intern can prepare a revision for council consideration; the motion was seconded and approved.
