Resident urges Box Elder council to reconsider 2017 ban on backyard poultry

Dan Berger, a Box Elder resident, used the public-comment period to ask whether the city would consider rescinding a 2017 municipal code provision that makes it unlawful to keep or raise chickens, ducks, geese and other domestic fowl within city limits. "It says keeping of fowl restricted... It is unlawful for any person to keep and or raise chickens, ducks, geese, or other domestic fowl in any house, pen, coop, enclosure, or free range within the city," Berger said, citing the text of section 4-38.

Berger said his interest is practical — allowing residents to raise hens for eggs or meat — and asked whether there is public interest in revisiting the restriction. Commissioners and staff advised that changes to city code would need to begin at the city council level. Commissioners recalled enforcement problems in 2015 that prompted the ban; one commissioner said there were too many unkempt birds running loose and that led council at the time to prohibit poultry. At the same time, several commissioners and staff noted Box Elder has changed since 2015 and suggested Berger raise the issue formally with council. A commissioner referenced examples of other cities that allow regulated backyard chickens with clear parameters and recommended Berger pursue council review. Berger said he would attend a council meeting to present the idea.

The commission took no formal action on the request during this meeting; staff said they had not received a formal petition and reiterated that council is the appropriate body to initiate amendments to the municipal code. Commissioners encouraged Berger to work with council and staff to explore well-defined parameters if the community wishes to reintroduce limited urban poultry keeping.