This amendment to the Municipal Code codifies the backyard chicken pilot program, extending the program to 100 households citywide.  The program allows single family households to have up to 4 hens, after successfully completing a chicken care class and applying for a planning official determination that documents their participation and coop plans.

Two sections of the Municipal Code are proposed for amendment to accommodate the program: Chapter 6, Control and Regulation of Animals, will contain new performance standards for keeping backyard chickens and have a permit requirement; and, Chapter 58 of the Land Development Code will contain special development standards for the construction of coops and assigning the planning official the duties to approve permits for the keeping of hens.  An additional minor amendment to Chapter 5, Code Enforcement, classifies violations of the program as a Class II civil offense.

Existing permit holders are grandfathered into the program, which includes 64 households that have participated to date over the course of the four year program. New applications will be limited to a total of 100 households; if a household drops out of the program, they can be replaced by another applicant.  Generally, staff checks for continued participation with approved households every other year, or as we approach the maximum number of allowed households.

The full staff report to the Municipal Planning Board's (MPB) June 2016 meeting is attached; the MPB recommended approval of this amendment, which was accepted by the City Council on July 25, 2016.  The first reading of this item occurred on September 26, 2016.