Changes to Backyard Chicken Ordinance

Travis Bistodeau, Deputy Director at the Department of Safety & Inspections, is working on a change to the backyard chickens ordinance to streamline the permitting process. He is offering to meet with district councils who have any questions/concerns regarding these changes. He’s hoping to get these changes in front of the council by 10/18/17 and the final reading by 11/8/17. Here’s a brief summary of what’s being explored:
·        New owners of flocks containing six or fewer female chickens must only notify adjacent property owners that they intend to keep chickens.  Currently, any property owner that wants to have backyard chickens must obtain consent from 75% of neighbors who own property within 150’ of the applicant.  Under the proposed ordinance, applicants who want seven or more chickens will still need to obtain 75% approval from nearby owners.
·        Limits the total number of chickens to a flock of no more than 15 female chickens.  The current ordinance sets no limit on the number of backyard chickens allowed.
·        Allows the owners of chickens to compost chicken waste and litter on-site, which must then be used on-site only.  The current ordinances prohibits the composting of chicken waste or litter.
·        The permit fee for obtaining backyard chickens would be significantly reduced for new applicants who propose obtaining three or more, but less than six, backyard chickens.  Fees for applicants that have 1-3 or 7 or more chickens would remain the same as the current ordinance.
He can be reached at travis.bistodeau@ci.stpaul.mn.us.