Long Beach folks, get movin' and make some change:
"If you are a resident of Long Beach this is perhaps the most chance you may get to make an impact on modernizing Long Beach's Chicken and Bee keeping laws (See details below). It seems that those apposing these changes already started collecting signatures on their own petition.
Even if you are not interested in keeping chickens or bees, this impacts the environment in which we grow our food and encourages the path to have friendlier laws toward sustainability.
Here are few things you can do:
2- Write and/or call the members of Long Beach City Council's Environmental Committee to voice your support of urban agriculture in Long Beach BEFORE their meeting on Tuesday 6-26-2012.
- The Chair of the Environmental Committee is Dr. Suja Lowenthal: district2@longbeach.gov, Suja.Lowenthal@longbeach.gov, 562-570-6684
- The Vice Chair is Patrick O’Donnell: district4@longbeach.gov, Patrick.ODonnell@longbeach.gov, 562-570-6918
- The third city council member of the committee is James Johnson: district7@longbeach.gov, James.Johnson@longbeach.gov, 562-570-6139
3- Tell a forward thinking friend and make an effort to educate yourself and others. Chickens do not make any more noise than dogs. Roosters will not be allowed even if the new ordinance is passed. Chicken crap is actually beneficial and does not stink the same way that cat or dog crap does. Chickens are normally contained and kept in a backyard not a front yard. Chickens naturally go to roost at night in their coop. This practice does not encourage coyotes any more than leaving food for cats and dogs outside does. This type of information maybe normal knowledge to you however there are plenty of well meaning people out there who do not know this and are afraid.
4- Show up at the meeting (4 pm). Urban agriculture will be among the issues discussed next Tuesday at the committee meeting chaired by Suja. Council members will review amendments to the City's current ordinance defining where, when and how chickens, goats and bees may be kept in backyards. As of now this is the third item on the meeting agenda for that day. Please take sometime now to study the map and directions so you do not get lost at last minute.
Current and proposed policies on the keeping of backyard chickens, goats and bees:
Chickens
Current
~ Up to 20 may be kept at least 50 feet from 1 and 2 family residences or 100 feet from multi-family (3+) residences or hotels
~ 1 chicken may be kept as pet at least 20 feet from any dwelling
Proposed
~ Up to 4 may be kept without required distance from neighboring residence
~ 5 to 10 may be kept at least 25 feet from neighboring residence
~ 11 to 20 may be kept at least 50 feet from neighboring residence
~ 5 or more must obtain one-time permit from Animal Care Services
Goats
Current
~ No more than 1 may be kept at least 100 feet from neighboring residences
~ May not be kept south of Anaheim Street
Proposed
~ 2 female pygmy goats (only) may be kept without required distance from neighboring residences
~ Must be licensed annually by Animal Care Services
~ Milk products produced are for personal consumption only
Bees
Current
~ Hives must be kept at least 100 feet from neighboring residences and public ways (streets and alleys).
~ Must be kept 10 feet above ground
Proposed
~ Up to 5 hives may be kept at least 5 feet from property line
~ If a hive is less than 15 feet from a property line, a flyway barrier of at least 6 feet high must be maintained around the hive
~ Hives must be registered with Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture
For questions on the above current and proposed changes, contact Larry Rich, Sustainability Coordinator, 562-570-5839 or larry.rich@longbeach.gov."
GOOD LUCK LB!!!
