Chicken regulations in the works

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PROSPECT — The Planning and Zoning Commission is reviewing proposed amendments to the zoning regulations that would govern keeping chickens on residential properties.

Drafting regulations for chickens wasn’t exactly what Land Use Inspector Mary Barton envisioned she’d be doing when she took the job in town last November. However, the matter came to her attention early in her tenure through complaints from residents.

Barton said she received a few complaints that centered on roosters crowing. She said most people are pretty respectful, and the complaints were resolved when residents got rid of their roosters.

Barton soon learned that there was a lot of interest in town for keeping chickens.

“Prospect was originally an agriculture community and some people want to keep that tradition,” Barton said.

Properties that are 5 acres or more fall under agricultural uses and allow for chickens. However, chickens aren’t allowed in town on smaller residential properties.

Barton said she reviewed regulations from other towns to help build regulations for Prospect. She said she’s trying to make it so people can keep chickens, while making the regulations as reasonable as possible.

Last week, Barton presented proposed language to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Under the proposal, people would have to get a permit to keep chickens, and roosters and guinea hens wouldn’t be allowed at all on land under 5 acres.

The proposal states four hens would be allowed on a property 0.5 of an acre to 1 acre. Six hens would be allowed on 1 to 2.99 acres of land. Barton said she’s likely to recommend that 10 hens be allowed on 3 to 4.99 acres.

Hens would have to be kept in a fenced enclosure in a rear or side yard only, the proposed amendments state. The enclosure would have to be 75 feet from the street, 10 feet from the side and rear property lines, and 25 feet from residential structures on adjacent properties.

A chicken coop follows mostly the same guidelines as an enclosure, under the draft language, except a coop would have to be kept 25 feet from side and rear property lines. A coop would have to be less than 15 feet high and be built to keep out other animals.

A coop and enclosure would have to be kept clean at all times, the proposal states.

The proposed amendments are a work in progress, and the commission is still reviewing them.

Barton said requiring permits to keep chickens would help give people guidance and address complaints in the future.