Minnesota Cities Chicken Ordinances and Rules

[leanbarton]

Call me crazy, but I've been searching for a new home in cities that only allow chickens. So to keep track, I've been adding them to a Google spreadsheet.

Now I'm sharing my obsessiveness with you.

Let me know of any changes.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...Sjl0RTFhLUdHYmc&single=true&gid=0&output=html

 

[msbee]

BLESS YOU BIG TIME!!!

I'm fighting Crystal city hall as I type. My back up plan if they deny chickens is to move. This may become very helpful!

 

[leanbarton]

I thought I read something about Crystal considering it. Good luck! I find it absurd how cities can dictate what you can and can't do on your own land. What about property rights?!

 

[Engteacher]

According to the StarTribune, Maplewood just passed a chicken ordinance. Up to 10 hens permitted. Here is the article from today's paper.



"Some Maplewood residents have been raising chickens in their back yards for years, but starting in August they can do it without breaking the law.

The City Council passed an ordinance last week that legalizes the practice and adds the east metro suburb to the growing number of Twin Cities communities that allow urban agriculture.

"It is a trend that some people are into," said City Council Member John Nephew, who voted in favor of the ordinance. "For people, it's a hobby or educational tool to teach kids where eggs come from. It's a fine thing for the very small number of people who are doing that, and we should not stand in the way."

The ordinance will require anybody raising chickens to pay $75 to the city for a license and $50 to renew each year. Residents will be able to have as many as 10 hens -- but no roosters -- in a back- or side-yard coop that is at least 5 feet from any property line, and chickens must wear a leg band with the owner's name and phone number.

The ordinance, passed on a 4-1 vote, also requires unanimous approval from owners of adjacent properties."

It also requires that food be stored in rodent-proof containers and prohibits beheading within city limits.

"They will have to cross the road to kill it," said City Manager Jim Antonen, who said the city will inspect coops to be sure they are in compliance.

Maplewood joins communities such as Shoreview, Oakdale, Rosemount, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Burnsville, which also allow chickens. White Bear Lake considered a chicken ordinance, but voted against it.

Antonen said the issue over chickens has been debated in Maplewood for more than two years after a few citizens approached the city's Environmental and Natural Resources Commission, which studied and recommended the ordinance. Nephew said it will give the city some leverage in dealing with complaints.

Police Chief David Thomalla said there is no way of knowing how many undocumented chickens there are in the city, but that his department gets occasional complaints.

That includes stray chickens. The city currently pays $42 for any animal -- chicken or other -- it brings to the Hillcrest Boarding facility, plus $18 a day. It also pays an animal control officer $82 per call plus $38 an hour.

The leg bands will allow the city to identify the owner and require the owner to reimburse the city for any fees associated with containing strays, said Shann Finwall, the city's environmental planner.

Not everybody is enthusiastic about the ordinance change.

"I don't like that you are going to have chickens in Maplewood," said Shirley Taugner, a 52-year Maplewood resident whose neighbors have chickens in violation of the law. "They are dirty and they poop and do their stuff all over."

But that is reason for the ordinance, said council Member James Llanas.

"There needs to be rules regulating how chickens are treated, and for neighbors to be respectful," he said.

 

[Bob Lies]

Sorry I am late to the conversation. This is great information. I was assembling a similar list for myself. There is a larger (national) list of municipal ordinances that you might to cross-post to. It is also on Google Docs: http://tinyurl.com/64wcava

Thanks for your excellent obsession.

Bob

 

[momma of a chicken lover]

Shoreview, MN

Chicken Licenses
Chickens may be kept within the City limits on residential properties located in the RE, Residential Estate Zoning District and the R1, Detached Residential District, subject to the following conditions:

•On residential properties less than 2 acres in size can have a maximum of (4) hen chickens or pullets. Roosters are prohibited.

•On residential properties more than 2 acres, may need a conditional use permit for more than (4) hen chickens or pullets. Roosters may be permitted.

•The butchering of chickens is prohibited

•Chickens shall be fully contained on the property at all times through the use of fencing.

•Shelters must comply with all requirements of the Development Code.

•Food materials are stored outside shall be in closed containers with lids

•All contaiment areas and shelters shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary, and odor free environment and shall be free from the presence of rodents or vermin at all times.

•Chickens shall not be raised or kept for fighting. Cockfighting is prohibited.

License: No person shall keep, maintain or breed chickens on property located in Shoreview unless a license is obtained pursuant the provisions of the City Code, Chapter 600. Licenses are valid for 2 years, and the license fee is $19.

Chicken License Application →

Contact Information
For more information, please call 651.490.4600.

 

[kkberna]

This is great....thanks for posting! Any updates since that you are aware of?

 

[leanbarton]

I haven't really paid attention since I bought a home in Maplewood. But I've opened up the link and spreadsheet so anyone can edit it now. Thank you.

 

[mnmom4]

I believe the issue is up for discussion n Ramsey, Mn right now.

I am hoping to get the ordinance changed in Andover as well, which currently prohibits chickens on residential properties with municipal water and sewer. Maybe in a year or so I can report back with a favorable outcome

 

[aussiemum]

I believe the issue is up for discussion n Ramsey, Mn right now.
I am hoping to get the ordinance changed in Andover as well, which currently prohibits chickens on residential properties with municipal water and sewer. Maybe in a year or so I can report back with a favorable outcome

Did they allow for Ramsey to have chickens ?