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Council refers proposed rooster ban to planning commission after debate
Summary
After extended debate about grandfathering, licensing and zoning, the Superior Common Council voted unanimously to refer a proposed ordinance that would prohibit roosters (city code section 22.69 as drafted) to the planning commission for further study and drafting.
Councilors on Tuesday debated whether to ban roosters citywide and then voted to send the proposal to the planning commission for further work.
The ordinance under consideration would add section 22.69 to city code, prohibiting roosters. Councilor Radke asked for referral after residents raised concerns that the proposed language, as written, would ban existing roosters as well as future ones. Radke said some constituents want to keep non-nuisance roosters and asked for more public input and options such as grandfathering, licensing, or zoning-based limits.
Public Safety Committee members said the committee had received multiple animal-control complaints about persistent crowing and had reviewed other cities’ approaches (Madison, Milwaukee, Rice Lake, Janesville, Duluth). The committee had recommended prohibiting roosters while not banning chickens, ducks or geese; members also discussed enclosure standards, limits to prevent overcrowding, and whether enforcement was practical and humane.
Councilors discussed how to balance urban farming and neighborhood peace. Some favored zoning or licensing approaches that would allow roosters in certain lower-density zones or under permit; others said the committee’s recommendation aimed to address repeated nuisance complaints. Councilor Moffett moved to refer the item to the planning commission; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
Next steps: planning staff and the planning commission will review the proposal, consider options such as grandfathering existing roosters, licensing, nuisance definitions, and possible zoning limits, and return a recommended ordinance to the council for a formal vote.
