HomeMy WebLinkAbout#17 - Chicken Ordinance1
STAFF REPORT
DATE: February 20, 2018
REGULAR
ITEM #: 17
MOTION
TO: City Council
FROM: Emily Becker, Planning Director
AGENDA ITEM: Review of the Chicken Ordinance
REVIEWED BY: Ben Prchal, City Planner
BACKGROUND:
Staff had been asked to prepare an analysis of surrounding communities and their rules relating to the
keeping of chickens. The Council reviewed the analysis at its workshop on January 9, 2018 and directed
Staff to increase the number of chickens allowed on properties within the City. The Council tabled this
item at its February 20, 2018 meeting.
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Current Ordinance. The current ordinance allows property owners to own more chickens based on the
number of acres they have. No property owner is allowed to keep chickens on property of .49 acres or
less. The table below outlines the number of chickens that are allowed on properties of 0.5-5 acres. A
permit must be obtained to keep chickens on properties of 5 acres or less. The permit application requires
that notices be mailed to all homes within 150 feet of the applicant’s property prior to issuance of the
permit, and the permit is valid for up to two years. Chickens kept on properties of 5 acres or more are
restricted to 0.02 animal units per 2 grazable acres (50 chickens per 2 grazable acres).
Lot Size (Acres) Chickens Allowed
0.00 - 0.49 0
0.50 - 0.99 4
1.00 - 1.49 6
1.50 - 1.99 8
2.00 - 2.49 10
2.50 - 2.99 12
3.00 - 3.49 14
3.50 - 3.99 16
4.00 - 4.49 18
4.50 - 4.99 22
Amended Ordinance. At the January 9, 2018 workshop, Council directed Staff to make the following
amendments to the Chicken Ordinance. The amended ordinance is attached for reference.
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• Allow up to 4 chickens on lots of 0.49 acres in size or less.
• Increase the number of chickens allowed on lots of 0.5-4.49 acres in size by 2.
• Increase the number of chickens allowed on lots of 4.50-4.99 acres in size to 30.
• Remove the requirement that notice be sent out to property owners within 150 feet of the applicant’s
property prior to issuance of the chicken permit that is required to keep chickens on properties of
less than five acres.
• All permits are valid for up to two years.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ord. 08-196
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CITY OF LAKE ELMO
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 08-___-196
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAKE ELMO CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES BY
ADDING ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS.
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Lake Elmo hereby amends Title IX: General
Provisions; Chapter 95: Animals, by amending the following:
§ 95.108 KEEPING OF CHICKENS.
(A) Chickens on less than 5 acres.
Lot Size (Acres) Chickens Allowed
0.00 - 0.49 0 4
0.50 - 0.99 4 6
1.00 - 1.49 6 8
1.50 - 1.99 8 10
2.00 - 2.49 10 12
2.50 - 2.99 12 14
3.00 - 3.49 14 16
3.50 - 3.99 16 18
4.00 - 4.49 18 20
4.50 - 4.99 22 30
(B) Chickens on 5 acres or more. Chickens maintained on parcels of 5 acres or more are
restricted to 0.02 animal units per 2 grazable acres. A permit is not required for keeping chickens
on a parcel size of 5 acres or more. For reference, see “Animal Unit Equivalency” chart in §
95.090.
(Ord. 08-100, passed 2-18-2014)
§ 95.109 PERMIT REQUIRED; TERM, CONSENT, FEE.
(A) No person shall (without first obtaining a permit in writing from the City Clerk) own,
keep, harbor, or have custody of any live chicken on a lot less than 5 acres.
(B) The first permitPermits is are valid for up to 2 years beginning on the date of issuance
and ending on December 31 of the following second year. Subsequent permits are valid from
January 1 to December 31.
(C) Prior to issuance of a permit, notices must be mailed to all homes within 150 feet of the
applicant’s property lines.
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(D C) The fee for a permit may be imposed, set, established and fixed by the city council, by
ordinance, from time to time.
(Ord. 08-100, passed 2-18-2014) Penalty, see § 10.99
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
adoption and publication in the official newspaper of the City of Lake Elmo.
SECTION 43 Adoption Date. This Ordinance 08-___ -196 was adopted on this ______ day of
___ 2018, by a vote of ___ Ayes and ___ Nays.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
_________________________________
Mike Pearson, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Julie Johnson, City Clerk
This Ordinance 08-____ was published on the ____ day of ___________________, 2018.