With several citizens speaking for and against the proposed chicken ordinance, last night’s meeting of the Sandusky City Council saw the council approve the ordinance 4-2.
Voting against the ordinance were council members Brad Harris and Norton Schramm. Of concern for Harris was ordinance enforcement—who would receive any noise or sanitation complaints about the chickens, should it go into effect, as the city’s ordinance officer is only active six months out of the year.
Harris argued that local police are already maxed out, handling accidents and domestic incidents, while Schramm was concerned about the potential noise, smell and unwanted pests that would come with chickens in town. Despite some discussion to table the ordinance for further consideration and possible additions, the measure was ultimately passed.
Under the proposed ordinance, those wishing to own chickens in the city would need to obtain a Hen License from the city, with the application for said license requiring payment of a fee of $25, renderings/dimensions of planned chicken enclosures and physical inspection of said chicken enclosures. Approved residents are allowed to keep up to four chickens in a backyard enclosure.
Roosters are expressly prohibited, with the ordinance also making clear that the ordinance does not supersede existing rules that may prevent certain residents from obtaining a license, such as neighborhood bylaws or deed restrictions prohibiting chickens. In addition to needing to keep the enclosure clean and protected so that it doesn’t attract rodents, the ordinance also requires chicken owners to keep enclosures 10 feet from all property lines, 40 feet from residential structures on adjacent properties and 100 feet away from any natural water source.
With the ordinance passed, it will go into effect in about 20 days, with the ordinance going into effect as soon as the week of November 10, 2024.
City Manager Dave Faber also announced at the October 21 meeting that Dawson and Maple Valley Streets will be reopened to traffic on Wednesday night/by Thursday morning, thus ending another part of the MDOT construction on M-46.
