City Council Approves Changes to Urban Agriculture Regulations

Congratulations to all of the tireless individuals who supported, stood up for, and helped pass the following law changes. {Source}

Chickens:

  • Roosters prohibited.
  • Up to 5 chickens allowed with no setback requirements from the onsite house.  The coop must be located outside the required setbacks.
  • Up to 15 chickens allowed with no setback from onsite house.  The coop must be outside required setbacks, or at least 15 feet from property line, whichever is greater.
  • Up to 25 chickens may be kept on premises, as long as the coop and outdoor enclosure are a minimum of 50 feet from any residential structure.
  • The coop must be predator proof, watertight, ventilated, easily accessed and cleaned, with a minimum of 6 square feet per chicken.

Miniature Goats:

  • Can be kept at single family homes and lots developed with single family homes.
  • Miniature goats only.  Must be de-horned.  Males must be neutered.
  • Shed must be located outside required setback, predator proof, watertight, ventilated, easily accessed and cleaned, with a minimum of 5 square feet per goat.
  • Enclosure must have minimum 5-foot high fence, minimum pen area of 400 square feet, excluding shed.
  • Goat products allowed for personal consumption only.

Bee Keeping:

  • Allowed Citywide.
  • For up to 2 hives:  Must be located no closer than 30 feet from offsite residence and 50 feet from right of way.
  • More than 2 hives:  Must be located 600 feet from offsite residence and 100 feet from right of way.
  • No more than 2 hives allowed per lot.
  • Must have 6-foot screen unless located 8 feet above grade.
  • Required compliance with recognized best practices for bee keeping.

Farmers’ Markets:

  • Daily Farmers’ Market Stands which sell produce (no value-added merchandise) could be permitted in all commercial zones.  They could be no larger than 5-feet deep and 16-feet wide.
  • Weekly Farmers’ Markets could be permitted as a limited use in all commercial zones (except commercial parking zone) and IL-3-1 Industrial Zone.
  • Retail Farms could be permitted in all of the Commercial Regional, Commercial Office and Community Commercial Zones, as well as IL-3-1 Industrial Zone.

Community Gardens:

  • Allowed to sell produce in residential zones one day per week.
  • Allowed with Neighborhood Use Permit in the IL-21 industrial zone.

Most of the changes are expected to go into effect in mid-March.

Click here for more information.

Posted on January 31, 2012 and filed under General News.