City Council Continues Chicken Ordinance Discussion

The Hampton city council discussed their chicken ordinance once again during their Jan. 19 meeting.

The group started by reviewing a draft ordinance for chickens within city limits. Changes included adding the definition of a chicken and updating the portion about written consent from the council.

The draft reads: “With the exception of chickens, it is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the City except by written consent of the Council or except in compliance with the City’s zoning regulations.”

The drafted ordinance would require a chicken owner to obtain a 2-year permit, which would require the following: a written request, an inspection of the property, no documented nuisance violations within the past 12 months, a property of two acres in size, a property that is owner occupied, maximum of eight hens (no roosters), a certain chicken coop that is located at least 25 feet away from any other properties and a chicken run.

Ongoing obligations stated in the draft: The code enforcement officer shall be allowed to inspect the property upon reasonable notice to the property owner. Chickens shall remain confined to the coop and run. The chicken coop must be used exclusively for chickens. Eggs must be collected daily. Slaughtering chickens and selling eggs are prohibited.

City Councilor Jerre Grefe was the first to speak, saying she was fine with it.

City Councilor Jeanne Fay asked about the specifics of the chicken run. Mayor Steve Birdsall told her the run would be open at the top and enclosed on the sides.

City Councilor Bill Holmstrom asked about the portion regarding written consent from the council, saying he felt it should be removed to avoid future problems with perceived preferential treatment.

Councilor Grefe said she understood what he saying and suggested striking “except by written consent of the Council” from the document.

CIty Councilor Jim Davies asked about the process of going through zoning for property owners who currently have livestock other than chickens. He was told that some of these agreements could be grandfathered in.

“I just want to make sure we are not eliminating other situations through the chicken ordinance,” Davies said.

By the end of the discussion, the majority of the council was in favor of removing “except by written consent of the Council” from the document. They asked staff to look into the matter of other properties being grandfathered in and they will discuss at a future meeting.

Hampton resident Jennifer Gruelke spoke before the council to share her thoughts on the drafted ordinance. She suggested simplifying parts of it, including the proximity to other neighbors.

The ordinance will be edited and then brought back to the council for further discussion.