Council to Discuss Backyard Chicken Ordinance at August Meetings

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – After an extensive online community survey and discussions extending back more than a decade, Marshfield residents may be allowed to have backyard chickens. Final action will be requested after the second reading scheduled for the August 22, 2023 Common Council meeting.

The proposed ordinance would require those interest in having backyard chickens to acquire a license (with fee), allows for up to 4 chickens (NO roosters), and has several stipulations regarding housing and upkeep standards. (The full Council packet containing memo can be found here.)

Several Central Wisconsin communities have a similar ordinance and cite chickens providing benefits such as fresh eggs and pest/beetle control (including eating Japanese Beetles).

Chicken Ordinance Background

At the November 2010 Plan Commission meeting, Sustainable Marshfield presented a draft ordinance that would allow up to 4 chickens on a single-family residential property. This topic was discussed in 2011 and did not receive approval, according to a City Memo.

Since then, this topic has been discussed throughout the years but no changes have been made. At a February Common Council meeting, the Council directed staff to discuss a potential chicken ordinance at an upcoming Plan Commission meeting.

The previous City Planner created a draft chicken ordinance in 2022 and the Plan Commission reviewed this proposed ordinance and held a public hearing to discuss the proposed ordinance. Section 9-52(1) of the Municipal Code currently restricts residents (except in certain circumstances) from keeping chickens and other animals on their property.

The proposed amendment would create a section within Chapter 9-52 to provide specific regulations regarding allowing chickens on single-family lots within city limits and the zoning code would be amended to list this “backyard chickens” as a new accessory land use in certain districts. The Plan Commission has decided to move forward with a proposed text amendment to allow backyard chickens.

A public hearing was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 and there were several public comments from individuals that were generally supportive of the ordinance and others who were opposed or had questions and/or concerns. Plan Commission discussed the item over the course of a few Plan Commission meetings and voted to recommend approval at the June 20, 2023 Plan Commission meeting and directed staff to create an ordinance for Common Council consideration.

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