Politics & Government

Fox Point Doesn't Fry Chicken Ordinance Just Yet

Majority of Village Board wants to continue discussion on whether to allow residents to keep chickens as rules are fine-tuned.

With a small flock of about a dozen people on hand, trustees Tuesday took a second look at the possibility of allowing chickens in the village.

After the October Village Board meeting, Village Attorney Eric Larson drafted an ordinance that mirrored many of the aspects of a City of Milwaukee law on keeping chickens. However, trustees had numerous questions on the proposal and took no action on the matter, although four of the seven members favored continuing the discussion.

The board debated the wording within the proposed ordinance, scrutinizing specifically where chicken coops would be allowed and the cost for a permit that would allow residents to have chicken.

Find out what's happening in Fox Point-Baysidewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here are a few highlights from the first draft of the ordinance:

  • Up to four chickens would be legal to keep on private residential property, however other domestic fowl such as ducks, geese and/or turkeys would be excluded. Roosters are excluded.
  • A permit would be required to own chickens and the suggested cost for that permit is $70.
  • Anyone wishing to own chickens must receive written consent from the owner of the property where they will be kept, as well as all abutting properties.
  • Slaughtering of chickens would be prohibited.
  • Coops and yards together must be large enough to accommodate 16 square feet per chicken.

Jeff Ziebelman is the resident who first requested in October the village review their original ordinance banning chickens. He told the board that he does not think chickens should require a permit.

Find out what's happening in Fox Point-Baysidewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"If I were to have a large dog, would I need a permit? Would I need to ask my neighbors if I could purchase this large dog?" Ziebelman asked the board.

The board voted to have Larson tweaking his draft ordinance by the board's next meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 13.


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