Our Farmhouse Blessings

Concord City Council considers letting chickens live on residential property
By Karen Cimino Wilson Independent Tribune
Published: September 8, 2009
Concord residents may soon be allowed to house chickens on their residential property.
The city will host a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday on a proposed amendment to the Concord Development Ordinance that would allow residents to have up to six hens on their property. Roosters will never be allowed, however, according to city officials. Slaughtering chickens will also be prohibited.
In February 2009, in Concord resident Tanya ****** submitted a letter to the city requesting a change to the city's development ordinance and code of ordinances that would permit residents to maintain chickens on their property. She presented her request to the Concord Planning and Zoning Commission at its May meeting.
The commission tabled the request to allow the applicant to address some of their concerns.
The commission's concerns included the appearance and structural integrity of the henhouse, permitting, enforcement and waste management.
On July 21, the commission ended in a split vote on the change, which means the city council must vote on it.
Concord prohibits property owners from keeping livestock, or traditional farm animals, from living on property not designated as agricultural. Council members asked whether there had been any other exceptions to the rule.
"Horse are allowed under the Concord Development Ordinance on other larger properties," said city attorney Albert Benshoff.
Concord City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the council chambers in the Municipal Building at 26 S. Union St., Concord


*I edited out my last name*