City Council amended the livestock ordinance, 6-0, Tuesday night to include domesticated female chickens on property except for duplexes or apartments. Councilman Wayne Griffin who cast the only no vote May 13 was absent.
Council voted 4-2 earlier this month to allow female chickens to be slaughtered within city limits.
Homeowners associations restrictions may prohibit chickens in back yards and supersedes the ordinance.
Two citizens, earlier this year, asked council to consider amending its ordinance for raising female chickens within the city. There has been no opposition and no one spoke in favor or against the proposal Tuesday.
The ordinance became effective Tuesday.
Council’s amended ordinance, Chapter 10 Animals, declares domesticated female chickens may be kept under the following conditions:
• No more than 6 domesticated female chickens on a single premise. It’s unlawful to keep or maintain the chickens at a duplex or apartment complex.
• The chickens must be confined in a coop, located at least 50 feet from the nearest residence, and fully enclosed.
• No chicken coop is allowed in a front or side yard.
• It is unlawful to keep domesticated female chickens on premises within the city without first obtaining a permit. An applicant for a permit must either own the property or have permission from the property owner to be eligible for a permit.
• No permit shall be issued without the written consent of adjoining neighbors.
• A chicken coop must be fenced with a predator-resistant cover. Minimum of 2 square feet per domesticated chicken. They must be properly ventilated, clean, dry and odor-free, kept in a neat and sanitary condition that will not disturb neighbors.
The complete ordinance and applicant qualifications are available at city hall.