Agenda Item Title:
Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 6445 an Ordinance Authorizing the Keeping of Hens on Certain Residential Properties in the City by Amending Section 6.08.020 of the Rapid City Municipal Code
Origination Group:
Legal & Finance Committee
Origination Meeting Date:
09/30/2020
City Council Hearing Date:
10/05/2020
City Council First Reading Date:
10/05/2020
Agenda Item Summary:
Per the discussion at the Legal & Finance Committee and City Council in July the attached ordinance would legalize the ownership of up to six (6) hens within the City. The exception allowing chickens to be raised would be limited to single family residences and would prohibit the owning or raising of roosters. The proposed regulations were based on a review of those in other communities and were written in an effort to try and balance the need for rules that will protect the community and the desire to not make the ownership of chickens so cumbersome that few if any citizens could actually do so. I have attached a few resources I thought were helpful. In the proposal I stayed away from licensing to avoid the additional administrative burden and costs this would impose. In order to make sure that we could enforce the regulations I made failure to comply a nuisance which we could abate and also adding language which would give the ordinance teeth if we needed to prosecute someone who failed to comply with the rules. If this proves to be insufficient we can always amend the ordinance in the future to impose a licensing requirement or additional regulations.
Funding Source & Fiscal Impact (if applicable):
| Funding | Cost Center |
|---|---|
Funding Source & Fiscal Impact Notes:
There is no immediate need to appropriate money or fiscal impact. There is a possible impact that additional staff time will need to be dedicated to enforcing the rules and dealing with people who are raising chickens on their property. It is also possible that the Humane Society will seek more funding in the future if the keeping of chickens in the City increases their call volume and they need to start housing chickens that are seized or abandoned. It is unclear how much impact this change will have, or how much it will ultimately cost.
Recommendations:
Origination Recommendation Notes:
Approve as presented, approve with alterations, or deny.