Resident urges Ridgecrest to add clear rules for backyard poultry

Kelly Betts, a Ridgecrest resident, urged the planning commission to amend the municipal code to explicitly address backyard poultry after recent confusion among residents about whether birds are allowed. "Our petition already has almost 400 signatures in only 1 week," Betts told the commission during the non-agenda public comment period.

Betts said the current code requires cleanliness of animal habitations and forbids continuous loud noises, but does not say whether backyard chickens, ducks, or quails are allowed. She proposed specific limits — for example, no more than eight female chickens or four ducks per household, no limit on quails because of their small size, a ban on roosters in residential zones unless the city grants permission based on lot size, and a prohibition on the commercial sale of eggs. Betts said those measures would give animal-control officers discretion to act on true neglect rather than on reports simply that a bird exists.

The commission did not take action on the proposal during the public comment period; staff and commissioners acknowledged the comment and signaled they would consider potential code amendments if the council chooses to direct changes.