Politics & Government

Ferndale City Council OKs Backyard Chicken Ordinance

City will revisit the issue to address any problems. Guidelines offer a 'safe way to get started,' city official says.

Ferndale City Council unanimously approved a Monday night that will allow most residents in the city to keep chickens as long as they get a permit and follow certain guidelines.

Under the current ordinance, residents couldn't have a chicken coop within 150 feet of any structure – essentially making it impossible for any resident to have chickens because of the average lot size. The approved change reduces the distance to 10 feet from any structure and coops must be in the backyard.

Council members weigh in on ordinance

Councilmember Melanie Piana said during the Monday council meeting at that she first brought the issue to the city after being approached by .

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“I know that a lot of people want to have more control of their own food production and access to healthy and fresh food,” she said. “I feel very comfortable in support of this ordinance.”

The ordinance stipulates that a resident may have only three hens, prohibits the owning of roosters and will only be permitted for single-family detached homes. The chicken permits will be valid for a year and can be renewed, and an inspection is required within 30 days of receiving a permit.

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'A safe way to get started'

Mayor Dave Coulter expressed some hesitation about the ordinance and suggested a one-year trial of the change, but ultimately voted in favor of a resolution to approve the ordinance as it stands.

He asked about any possible burden on city staff due to the inspection process.

Community and Economic Development Director Derek Delacourt told council he thinks the proposed ordinance and the included stipulations are a “safe way to get started” and he doesn’t expect an unmanageable amount of work from following up on permit requests or inspections.

“We are very comfortable with that,” Delacourt said.

Council to revisit issue if needed

Councilman Dan Martin said he doesn't see a need to put a time limit on the ordinance.

“If we find a year from now that this is not working the way we think it should or it’s creating more trouble for the city … we could revisit it,” Martin said.

Council members agreed to review the issue in the future to see if there are any problems.

“I have come to support this. I had initially had a number of reservations,” Mayor Coulter said.

Coulter said through his research he found that chickens are generally “a non-issue” in other local communities, but he made it clear he’s still not sold on the idea of chickens in his neighborhood.

“I’m personally hoping my neighbors don’t take us up on this opportunity,” he said.


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