HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06b] Ordinance Updates - City Chickens2. Chickens
Like other animals, cities take different approaches for regulating chickens. Some cities include chickens
in the same regulations that apply to other farm animals or livestock. Other cities have ordinances that
allow chickens in the city under certain circumstances. However the city decides to regulate chickens, it
is important to be clear about the regulations.
State v. Nelson, 499 N.W.2d 512, 514 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993)
A Minnesota court has found that, unless specifically included in the definition, chickens and roosters do
not fall under the regulation of ordinances that reference livestock. If the city would like to include
chickens in this category, it may do so by defining the term to include chickens, poultry, fowl, or other
similar descriptions. The bottom line here is that if the city wants to regulate chickens, it should make
sure that chickens are covered by the ordinance.
"Urban chickens," also called "city chickens," are becoming a more common issue in cities across the
state and country. The urban chicken "movement" is often linked to the increased desire for people to
be closer to their food sources. Urban chickens allow people to raise chickens at their homes to have
access to fresh eggs on a regular basis. This is the small -scale keeping of chickens and is much different
than a business that raises hens for eggs and meat. Those sorts of businesses are regulated differently
than residents who want to keep a few chickens in their backyards.
"Health risks associated with raising chickens," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contact the LMC Research dept. for sample ordinances.
There are no state laws that address urban chickens or keeping of chickens in cities, so it is up to the city
council to decide if it wants to regulate the keeping of chickens. The city may choose to allow, allow if a
permit is obtained from the city, or prohibit urban chickens. The city can do this in a number of ways,
including regulation under the general animal or farm animal ordinance or by passing an ordinance
specific to keeping chickens.
If the city does choose to regulate the keeping of urban chickens, some common requirements are:
• Allowing only hens (no roosters).
• Limiting the number of hens allowed.
• Maintaining coops or runs in a sanitary and humane condition.
• Keeping chickens contained or under control at all times.
• Locating coops a certain distance from property lines and other structures like houses
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