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s Nl�nnesota Cities Chicken Ordinances and Rules Yage 1 ot 1 <br /> s-�� �cN � 8 � I� � <br /> ���� � � � � ..s- <br /> "Some Maplewood residents have been raising chickens in their back yards for years,but starting in August they can do it <br /> without breaking the law. <br /> The City Council passed an ordinance last week that legalizes the practice and adds the east metro suburb to the growing <br /> number of Twin Citles communities that allow urban agriculture. • <br /> ' "It is a trend that some people are into,"said City Council Member John Nephew,who voted in favor of the ordinance."For <br /> people,it's a hobby or educational tool to teach kids where eggs come from.It's a flne thing for the very small number of <br /> people who are doing that,and we should not stand in the way." <br /> The ordinance wfil require anybody reising chickens to pay$75 to the ciry for a Iicense and$50 to renew each year. <br /> Residents will be able to have as many as 10 hens--but no roosters--in a back-or side-yard coop that is at least 5 feet <br /> from any property Iine,and chickens must wear a leg band wlth the owner's name and phone number. <br /> The ordinance,passed on a 4-1 vote,aiso requires unanimous approval from owners of adJacent properties." <br /> It also requires that food be stored in rodent-proof containers and prohiblts beheading within city Ilmits. <br /> 'They will have to cross the road to klll it,"said City Manager]im Antonen,who said the clty will inspect coops to be sure <br /> they are In compliance. <br /> Maplewood jolns communities such as Shoreview,Oakdale,Rosemount,Minneapolis,St.Paul and Burnsville,which also allow <br /> chickens.Whlte Bear Wke considered a chicken ordinance,but voted against it. <br /> Antonen said the issue over chickens has been debated in Maplewood for more than two years after a few citizens <br /> approached the city's Environmental and Natural Resources Commissian,which studied and recommended the ordinance. <br /> Nephew said it will give the city some leverage In dealing with complaints. <br /> Police Chief Davld Thomalla said there Is no way of knowing how many undocumented chickens there are In the city,but that <br /> his departrnent getr occaslonal complalnts. • , <br /> That includes strey chlckens.The c(ty currently pays$42 for any animal--chicken or other--It brings to the Hlllcrest <br /> Boarding facility,plus$18 a day.It also pays an animal controi officer$82 per call plus$38 an hour. <br /> The leg bands will ailow the city to Identify the owner and require the owner to reimburse the city for any fees associated with . <br /> containing strays,said Shann Finwall,the clty's environmental planner. <br /> Not everybody is enthusiastic about the ordinance change. , <br /> "I don't Ilke that you are going to have chickens In Maplewood,"said Shirley Taugner,a 52-year Maplewood resident whose <br /> nelghbors have chickens in violatlon of the law."They are dirty and they poop and do their stuff all over." <br /> But that is reason for the ordinance,sa(d council Member]ames Llanas. <br /> 'There needs to be rules regulating how chickens are treated,and for nelghbors to be respectful,"he said. <br /> •;z . . <br /> , <br /> http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/540565/minnesota-cities-chicken-ordinances-and-rules 7/6/2012 <br />