• Noise: No Roosters; hens are quieter than many pets like dogs.

• Odor Control: Proper composting and regular cleaning prevent foul smells making it no more intrusive than any other pet.

• Health & Safety: Proper containment practices, regular veterinary care, and rodent-proof feed storage mitigate risks.

• Predators: Educating residents on predator-proof coop designs enhances safety.

• Animal Control: A significant list of Farms and volunteers are ready to manage loose or unwanted chickens, preventing any added burden on the town’s animal control services.

• Enforcement: Violations will be inspected based on citizen reports. If a potential violation is reported to the city, an inspection will follow, just as with any code violation. Licensing and registration are not proposed. We have been in discussions with nearby municipalities, we found that this issue (of code violation) has been almost non-existent. We feel licensing/registry would be an overreach and an undue burden upon law-abiding citizens and would not prevent those who would abuse the code. We feel report-based inspections are sufficient.

We’ve also built a strong community network, with over 50 individuals and farms (and counting) ready to assist with inspections, chicken retrieval, and rehoming efforts. I’ve never seen such widespread community involvement to ensure self-regulation.

As for routine inspections, coops will be treated similarly to sheds. If a structure exceeds certain size limits, a building permit would be required. If someone installs a substandard setup, such as chicken wire and tarp in their front yard, it would likely prompt a complaint, resulting in a warning or fine, depending on the violation. The city staff will further define the enforcement penalties before a council vote.