Bellevue City Council had a first reading of a new ordinance that, if passed, would allow residents to keep a limited number of chickens within the city limits.
The issue has been a topic of discussion within the city off and on for a number of years. In November, resident Ben Grammer asked the council to consider allowing chickens. At the time, council members said they had been discussing an ordinance and would take a look at nearby cities. Alexandria, Covington and Fort Thomas have ordinances outlining how chickens may be kept within city limits.
The proposed ordinance would allow residents to keep up to six non-crowing chickens under a set of conditions. No roosters, ducks, geese or other domestic fowl would be permitted. Residents would be required to obtain a permit from the city for a $25 fee.
Some of the conditions include:
- Chickens must be kept in an enclosed backyard only. The backyard must be enclosed by a six-foot tall fence.
- The chicken house must include a roof and be enclosed on all sides and allow three square feet of space for each animal.
- The housing must not be located closer than three feet to the owners’ residence.
- The housing must be a minimum of 25 feet from the nearest neighboring residence.
- No breeding or slaughtering is permitted (except by a butcher with a city occupational license).
- Provisions must be made for the storage of feed and also for the storage and removal of manure.
The ordinance also lays out penalties for those who keep chickens without obtaining a permit or who violate other requirements of the ordinance.
A copy of the ordinance is available on the city’s website as part of its agenda for the Jan. 10 meeting. Council is expected to vote on the ordinance at its February council meeting. Â