Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/02/1991

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CASE REVIEW CITY CODE FOR AMENDMENTS RELATING TO THE KEEPING OF POULTRY AND FOWL By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik Background: The issue of rules for keeping poultry and fowl has been a recent subject of discussion at City Council. For the 10 years I have been associated with the City, Staff has been interpreting City Code in the following way with regard to poultry and fowl. On anything less than 20 acres, poultry and fowl may be kept on a property so long as it does not become a public nuisance; on parcels greater than 20 acres, there is no limit to the number of farm animals that may be kept as long as it doesn't become a public nuisance. The interpretation seems logical as I, and staff members before me, did not believe the intent was to prohibit persons with up to 19 acres from having chickens. However, I do receive a great deal of calls regarding rules for poultry and fowl. I strongly believe that our ordinance needs to be reviewed and amended for clarification with respect to domestic animals as well as poultry and fowl. A copy of Ramsey City Code Section 5.09 (Animals and Fowl) is enclosed for your information. On June 11, 1991, City Council directed the Zoning Administrator and Planning and Zoning Commission to review Section 5.09 (Animals and Fowl) and recommend an ordinance amendment to establish clearer rules regarding the keeping of poultry and fowl. The consensus of the Council was that poultry and fowl should not be maintained on parcels less than 5 acres in size. Observations: I have contacted other cities to find out their rules for the keeping of poultry and fowl and have the following information to provide: DAYTON: No farm animals allowed on less than 2 acres. Definition of farm animals includes horse, mule, donkey, pony, cattle, sheep, goat, swine, chicken, goose, duck, turkey, rabbit. CITY UNKNOWN: No fowl may be kept on parcels less than 2.5 acres in size. In determining such real estate parcel size and number of animals or fowl allowed, 1/2 acre shall be considered as being used for residence, lawns and shall be excluded from acreage size. (In other words, I believe this translates to a minimum of 3 acres is required to keep fowl and poultry.) Twenty fowl are permitted on a 2.5 acre parcel (3 acres allowing for residence and lawn) and one additional acre is required for every additional 10 fowl. HAM LAKE: It requires a special animal permit from the City Council and 5 acres in order to keep poultry and fowl. COON RAPIDS It requires 5 acres to keep poultry or fowl.