ON THE KEEPING OF CHICKENS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Keeping or harboring of chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) permitted pursuant to the following:
(a) No more than 8 (eight) chickens per residential lot permitted,
(b) No roosters shall be permitted,
(c) No chicken may be maintained, enclosed or fenced in the front yard of a dwelling or within a dwelling,
(d) Cages, hutches, coops or other confinement shall be at least 25 feet away from any neighboring dwelling,
(e) No chickens may run at large in the city (see Sec. 90.21 Fowl running at large),
(f) Chickens must be maintained to prevent noise or odor that causes detriment to the health, safety and welfare of neighboring persons and properties.
Sections of existing code that pertain to chickens:
•Sec. 90.19. Keeping or harboring of live stock prohibited in certain residential areas.
―Point (5) needs to be amended to except chickens.
•Sec. 90.22. Impounding of animals and fowl; sale of same.
(Backyard chicken concentrating on a fair ordinance; via sfweekly.com.)
25 feet away from any neighboring dwelling means most of us in downtown single-family dwellings cannot even consider chickens. My lot is only about 40 feet wide, so that would automatically excluse us. And yet, I know we could handle a few hens with proper care and enclosures. Why not look at some of the ordinances of larger cities where people live closer together, and see what they are doing?
ReplyDeleteSorry about the spelling error - it would "exclude" us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input Dawn! Note that the intention is 25 ft. from a neighboring dwelling (not the property line). Unless your backyard is very shallow, you just might still have space for a coop that is 25 ft. from your neighbors' buildings.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, we see the trouble with that part. In Oakland, the minimum distance is 20 ft. Some ordinances don't have a minimum distance rule, but opt for a sort of formula for number of chickens allowed based on square footage. It would be nice to avoid a potentially confusing rule, but perhaps some rule like one hen per 700 sq. ft total lot area?
I think you are right, and 20 or 25 ft. from a neighboring dwelling would probably work - I went out and measured :)
ReplyDeleteNo matter what you come up with, there will always be limitations. And confusing rules do need to be avoided. I do hope you get some more input. I am eager to see this become reality.