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cI of NM rr(� s. IGHM the city that works for you DATE: 5-29-2013 Community Development Department MEMORANDUM TO: Dean Lotter, City Manager FROM: Grant Fernelius, Community Development Director Janice Gundlach, City Planner Joseph Hatch, Code Enforcement Officer SUBJECT: Chicken/Fowl/Backyard Farming Policy Discussion Introduction A few times a year City staff receives complaints about chickens and other fowl that residents keep on their properties. In 2008, this issue arose and staff prepared a memo, although the Council at that time chose not to pursue any regulatory changes. Over the last couple of years this issue, among other issues, sparked a series of disputes between neighbors living on Forest Dale Road. These disputes have escalated to the point where some residents of the Forest Dale neighborhood have requested that the City consider regulating these kinds of activities. It is the understanding of staff that Council wishes to reopen this discussion. As such, staff prepared the following memo to help summarize and frame up the policy implications. The concept of "back yard farming" has several dimensions, ranging from the keeping of animals to growing and selling vegetables and fruits. In some cases, temporary structures are used (mostly makeshift greenhouses) to start plants early in the season and extend harvests through October. For the most part, it seems as if the greatest source of friction concerns the keeping, and possible sale, of animals — in particular chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other fowl. Before doing a significant amount of research on the broader topic of backyard farming, staff felt it would be appropriate to start with poultry and fowl, as many communities have enacted these types of regulations. Should Council want to expand the policy discussion to other topics it can be done at a later date once more guidance is given. Overview of City Regulations The City of New Brighton currently has no ordinances regulating the keeping of chickens or fowl. Chapter 6 of the City Code is titled Animals and Fowl, but it makes no reference to chickens, turkeys, geese, or ducks within the chapter. For the most part, this Chapter deals with domestic animals (i.e. dogs and cats; vaccination requirements; rabies control; impoundment; and regulation of large animals). City staff has received complaints on a few occasions in