HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Planning Commission continued to discuss a draft ordinance to change city policy on the keeping of chickens at their meeting on Tuesday.
The intent is to have planning consultant Matt Williams look at the specific language to clarify that the amount of chickens, that the board hopes can be kept between eight and 20, can be restricted by the amount of area with proper fencing, rather than simply by the square footage of the lot entirely. Chickens would be allowed in the R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6 and MH districts.
All chickens must be kept within a fenced part of a yard and provided with appropriate shelter. All chicken coops, hen houses and other structures used to house chickens must be kept neat in appearance and in sanitary condition.
All chicken coops, hen houses and other structures used to house chickens must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from side lots, 5 feet from rear lot line and 50 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or business that is outside of the owner’s property lines and shall not project closer to the front or side street than the principal structure.
No roosters shall be kept, and no public slaughtering or processing of chickens allowed.
Owners can also apply for an additional permit if they are raising chickens for their own food.
Anyone keeping chickens improperly and found to allow chickens to run from their property and damage the property of their neighbors will be subject to action pursuant to Chapter 7 of the City Code.
The zoo, veterinarians and the State Fairgrounds are exempt from the proposed regulations.
The new members of the Hutchinson Planning Commission were also introduced at the board's meeting.
Elaine Carter and Megan Rucker were approved by the City Council to take seats on the board.
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