After multiple attempts over many years to create an ordinance for chickens in town, one was introduced at the August Town Council workshop. Council members agreed that the issue wasn't that chickens are living in town but that, per code they aren't allowed, and it’s not being enforced. At previous meetings the choice was made to allow backyard chickens and begin the process of creating the ordinance.
City Manager Jim Wieprecht was able to provide the Council with a basic process, utilizing sample ordinances from other municipalities, provided by Councilwoman Judith Fuller. As written, the proposed ordinance closely parallels those recently passed in both Thurmont and Woodsboro.
These include requiring an educational seminar on backyard flocks so applicants can understand what they are getting into with regard to chicken care and life cycles. The seminar will cover topics such as how long chickens bear eggs and what to do when they stop. Participants will receive a certificate at the end of the seminar.
Residents will need to apply for a City Zoning Certificate as chicken coops and runs are considered structures, and will have specific building requirements. This application must be signed by the property owner and not a tenant.
Applicants will be required to review and sign a ‘Taneytown Backyard Chicken Agreement’ that pertains to chicken welfare. If at any time they are found to be negligent, their permits will be revoked per this agreement.
They must submit the Certification of Completion for the educational seminar, the Backyard Chicken Agreement and City Zoning Certificate Application with the required fee to the City.
Once their flock is established they will need to register it with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to receive an official registration card. Once the MDA sends back their registration card, the applicant must bring it to the City Zoning office within 30-90 days (dependent on MDAs processing times).
Other items discussed at the workshop included coop and run rules. Coops may only be in a rear yard and a minimum of ten square feet per chicken is required. A run or enclosed area is also required to allow the chickens time outside. The coop/run may not be closer than ten feet to a side or rear property boundary and at least ten feet from a house. There is a max of six chickens per household.
Despite the creation of this ordinance, Councilman James McCarron was still not convinced this is the route the City should take. "We will be subjecting the City to extra cost and effort to monitor these chicken yards, but who is going to enforce these rules?" he asked his fellow council members. Resident Ron Shelton agreed with McCarron, wondering what would happen to all of the chicken waste and how diseases such as Salmonella would be prevented. Mayor Christopher Miller replied, "With a proper ordinance in place we will be able to have better enforcement of the chickens, because right now we can’t do much about them."
Wieprecht also reminded the Council that at the May meeting the consensus was to move forward and develop an ordinance to permit backyard chickens, and that's exactly what was done.
Still to be determined is the amount for the registration fee and additions to zoning regulations. Wieprecht was adamant that the agreement was the most important aspect and would also take the most time to create. He hopes to have everything ironed out by next month.
