St. Joseph proposes new regulations for keeping chickens on private property
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- City officials are preparing revised regulations that would loosen restrictions for keeping chickens and fowl on private property.
Tuesday's City Council agenda includes a bill for first reading to revise the city's Code of Ordinances related to the keeping of fowl and proper maintenance of coops and pens.
Current regulations state that it is unlawful for any person to pen fowl upon any premises within 100 feet of any building or structure of any kind occupied by human inhabitants.
New regulations proposed by the city would significantly restructure permitted distances of fowl from neighboring property depending on the number of fowl kept, among other changes.
Newly proposed regulations for fowl:
Three or less fowl: 25 feet from neighboring residences
Four to six fowl: 50 feet from neighboring residences
Seven to 12 fowl: 100 feet from neighboring residences
Fowl would required to be at least six feet from all property lines and in a fenced enclosure, coop or cage that is maintained and clean at all times in a sanitary manner that mitigates flies and disease.
Residents would be forbidden from keeping or harboring roosters at a private resident unless it is zoned for a specific use, other than residential, such as agricultural. Every structure or other yard arrangement shall be kept so that no offensive, disagreeable or obnoxious smell or odor shall arise.
Occasional supervised, free roaming fowl within a fenced area may be permitted, provided it
does not create an offensive, disagreeable or noxious smell or odor to the injury
Cages and pens must provide proper rest, exercise, and flight that is suitable for the species and shall provide a barrier for predators
Per the ordinance, any manure present on any premises within the city for more than 24 hours,
including cleanings from any barn, stable, stall, corral, pen, or enclosure or any truck, coop, wagon or
railroad car used for the stabling, penning or transportation of animals or fowl is declared to be a
nuisance, subject to abatement by the health officer as provided by law.
St. Joseph Animal Services may at any reasonable time inspect any structure or premises necessary to carry out the provisions of this section
The new regulations come after a local resident raised concerns to City Council this May about being asked to remove several chickens from her property due to complaints from neighbors.
An exhibit of the proposed ordinance can be found below.
