I just got home from the city council meeting. They voted on the zoning amendment that would allow Auburn residents to have a small flock of laying hens, and it passed unanimously! The law is not perfect...it leaves out residents on the smallest lots, for one thing. But the zoning commission has said that they will let the law as it is now written be a test, and they will revisit the issue in a few months to see if changes are appropriate. I am so excited!
Here's the new law, as summarized by my councilwoman:
Minimum property size of 10,000 square feet
Principal use of the property is a single family dwelling
The number of chickens does not exceed:
o 4 chickens, for lots of 10,000 square feet to 19,999 square feet
o 6 chickens, for lots of 20,000 square feet or greater
The chickens are kept in an enclosure or fenced area such as a henhouse, chicken coop, chicken tractor, etc. at all times
The chicken enclosure or fenced area is a minimum of six (6) square feet per chicken
The chickens are not kept in any location of the property other than in the back yard [the rear of the principal structure]
The covered enclosure or fenced area is a minimum of 10 feet to any property line of an adjacent property and 30 feet from neighboring dwellings, church, school, or place of business
The enclosures are kept in a clean, dry, odor-free, neat and sanitary condition at all times
The chicken owner takes necessary action to reduce the attraction of predators and rodents and the potential infestation of insects and parasites
No roosters
No slaughtering of chickens.
No breeding or production of fertilizer for commercial purposes.
Unlawful to allow the chickens to be a nuisance to neighbors, including odor or loud and persistent noise.
Does anyone know how to submit a change to BYC's listing of local ordinances?
Here's the new law, as summarized by my councilwoman:
Minimum property size of 10,000 square feet
Principal use of the property is a single family dwelling
The number of chickens does not exceed:
o 4 chickens, for lots of 10,000 square feet to 19,999 square feet
o 6 chickens, for lots of 20,000 square feet or greater
The chickens are kept in an enclosure or fenced area such as a henhouse, chicken coop, chicken tractor, etc. at all times
The chicken enclosure or fenced area is a minimum of six (6) square feet per chicken
The chickens are not kept in any location of the property other than in the back yard [the rear of the principal structure]
The covered enclosure or fenced area is a minimum of 10 feet to any property line of an adjacent property and 30 feet from neighboring dwellings, church, school, or place of business
The enclosures are kept in a clean, dry, odor-free, neat and sanitary condition at all times
The chicken owner takes necessary action to reduce the attraction of predators and rodents and the potential infestation of insects and parasites
No roosters
No slaughtering of chickens.
No breeding or production of fertilizer for commercial purposes.
Unlawful to allow the chickens to be a nuisance to neighbors, including odor or loud and persistent noise.
Does anyone know how to submit a change to BYC's listing of local ordinances?
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