Whether to allow chickens on smaller lots in city limits is a question on the plate for the Piedmont City Council.
In the past, complaints about roosters crowing have stirred feathers in city limits, said City Councilwoman Melissa Ashford, Ward V.
But recently, a chicken owner asked for some less strict rules in the city.
City Councilman Jonathan Hisey, Ward IV, suggested chickens could be allowed on half acre lots. He said he studied current chicken ordinance in Edmond. The issue was on the Monday night city council meeting agenda, Jan. 24.
A complaint was made by a chicken owner who received a code violation.
Oklahoma City Council members are also addressing such clucker issues, while chickens are not allowed on smaller lots in Oklahoma City currently.
The issue with one Piedmont resident recently, Hisey added, was the rule about no chickens allowed on side yards of properties. Front yard chickens are not allowed, Hisey said, but he suggested side yards should be allowed.
The current chicken ordinance in Piedmont restricts front and side yards. A housing addition’s homeowners association can restrict chickens, as well.
“I totally agree with front yards. I don’t think anyone really wants to see chicken coops in front yards,” Hisey said.
He said he agrees with the chicken owner that “side yard” chicken coop rules are too restrictive.
Chickens are allowed on one acre or larger lots currently. Hisey said he thinks a half acre lot should be be open for chicken coops.
“I did a little research and the City of Edmond, and their requirements are actually much less strict than in Piedmont. They actually allow chickens on lots as small as one third of an acre, 14,250 square feet and they allow two to four laying hens,” Hisey said.
Also, Councilman Ron Cardwell, Ward II, asked a part of the Piedmont ordinance on chickens change regarding cleanliness. The current ordinance requires chicken coops to be cleaned daily. The wording should change to “clean,” Cardwell suggested, since city police or inspectors are not exactly enforcing any such ordinance on a daily basis.
Councilmembers voted unanimously Monday night to ask the city staff to rewrite chicken regulations and bring the changes back for consideration at the February meeting.
