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Outdated chicken ordinance ruffles feathers in Clayton
(by Mitch Schneider - November 11, 2009)
Citing an increased popularity in the keeping of chickens, both locally and nationally, as well as concerns about the practice, Clayton officials have decided to study their domestic fowl ordinance for possible revision and strengthening.
“This is in response to resident concerns that have come up,” said City Manager Craig Owens during a discussion session at the Board of Aldermen’s Oct. 13 meeting. “We have seen a national trend in more people deciding to pursue this as an undertaking for the eggs ... they are producing their own food.” Mayor Linda Goldstein added that over the last several months, the city had received a number of e-mails about the subject.
Catherine Powers, the city’s director of planning and development services, said that her staff is currently aware of at least one residence in the city’s 1st Ward that has chickens, two in the 2nd Ward and one or two more in the 3rd Ward. She said that her staff is currently trying to determine an exact number. She said that at one point it had not been much of an issue, but that there has been a recent increase in the number of complaints that the city had been receiving about chickens in regards to noise, unsightliness and cleanliness. She said that the complaints usually come from neighbors.
During the discussion, city officials pointed out that while the city does currently have an ordinance relating to owning chickens, it is old — written approximately 40 years ago — and is somewhat vague.
The ordinance reads: “It shall be unlawful for a person, other than a veterinary hospital or pet shop, to own or keep multiple domesticated geese, ducks, chickens or turkeys within the city for commercial or resale purposes. Domestic fowl kept as pets must be adequately confined within a yard or other place surrounded by a wire netting or other fence sufficient to prevent their escape … The pen shall be maintained in a clean and wholesome manner. Any manure or other discharges from the birds shall be collected so as to prevent the spread of offensive smells or disease.”
Goldstein remarked that as the ordinance is currently written, a resident could theoretically turn their entire back yard into a coop, and asked if there was any limit to the number of chickens that residents could keep. Owens responded that as the ordinance is written, there is currently no limit to the number of chickens that could be kept, as long as the area is maintained.
At least one alderman said that she felt the situation could potentially add to an existing problem in the city. Judy Goodman said that some areas of the 1st Ward are having problems with rats. She said that ward residents recently met with a representative from vector control who said that any available food sources or droppings, such as those that may come along with chickens, were also potential food sources for rats.
The debate over chicken ownership has put city residents on both sides of the issue.
“I’m not against chickens, but not in Clayton,” said Virginia Franks, who said that one of her neighbors keeps approximately 15 chickens. “It has been going on for about a year and a half. They have two huge pens. The noise is the biggest thing … they squawk all day long. We cannot sit in our back yard or have company outside, because we can’t talk over the squawking.”
One proponent of the poultry was resident Anne Martin. “I have had chickens for 53 years, since I was 4 years old. As pets they are very sweet, and they are very clean. They make wonderful pets, they are totally entertaining.”
Joy Stinger, who has owned chickens in the city for 23 years, echoed Martin’s sentiments. “I called the city and the man I talked to, who I think is still with the city, said I could have horses, pigs, goats, anything,” said Stinger. In addition to the chickens, Stinger said she also has approximately 50 tropical birds in addition to several cats, dogs, rabbits and bees. She said that she was influenced by Martha Stewart to keep chickens.
City officials will now take time to study possible options in regards to the ordinance. The city’s environmental issues committee will be among those examining it and making suggestions. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at City Hall.
One piece of information that will be considered, and that the city has already looked at, is an ordinance recently passed by Maplewood, which strengthened that city’s ordinance on keeping fowl. It limits the types of fowls that can be kept to ducks and chickens, and limits the number to no more than six per single-family residence.
“I am getting a feel that we want to look at this. It is outdated and needs to be updated,” Goldstein said. “We will get together in several months and probably do some updating.”
Goldstein said that before any changes are made to the ordinance, the city would take public comment, including at public hearings. She encouraged residents to e-mail the city if they have an opinion on the subject.
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