Should the City of Tacoma Amend Its Chicken Laws?
As a happy chicken owner, I may be a bit biased on this topic, but I’ll ask anyway … what do you think about Tacoma’s current chicken laws? The Sustainable Tacoma Commission would like the City to amend and clarify its current chicken ordinance to better recognize the interests of both chicken owners and neighbors. The major proposed changes include:
- A limit of 6 adult female poultry, with an increase for large lots. There is currently no limit. One additional bird may be allowed for each 5,000 square feet of lot greater than 10,000 square feet.
- Reducing the backyard setback from residential dwellings from 45 feet to 12 feet.
- Changing violations from criminal penalties to civil penalties.
- Still no roosters
We know many of you will have some opinions. If you want to say something, now is the time!
More information, to submit comments, and a detailed look at the proposed changes at cityoftacoma.org.
Filed under: Legislation
10 comments
R Radar June 6, 2012
12 feet is too close to a property line, for two reasons, NOISE and SMELL. The 45 foot setback was enacted back when people knew what it is like to live near chickens.
Picture yourself opening your windows on a warm, summer evening, to be greeted by the odor of chicken poop. Then there’s the little matter of chickens getting rather vocal around dawn. Sorry, but I’d rather set my alarm clock a little later.
It’s obvious that Sustainable Tacoma doesn’t give a darn about being good neighbors.
E Erik B. June 7, 2012
The council just looked at the issue a few years ago. It would be interesting to review the changes they enacted.
T Tricia June 7, 2012
I too love chickens, but 12 feet is really close to a neighbor’s house. I think there needs to be a distinction between your house, the property line and neighbors house.
T tom waits June 7, 2012
We don’t have chickens, but our neighbors do. Noise and smell have never been an issue for us. The chickens make some cooing and warbling noises now and then, but it is gentle and I prefer it to the sound of cars and Harleys going by. I will say that if there was a significantly higher number of chickens (I think our immediate neighbor has only 5 or 6), it probably would be a different story.
F fredo June 7, 2012
I think it’s of critical importance that the city table any further discussion of the city budget so that it may devote it’s complete attention to the chicken problem.
F Flannimal June 7, 2012
12 feet too close? 45 feet seems too far. if I were to get chickens, I would practically have to have them on my front sidewalk to abide by this. And besides, hens aren’t really that noisy, a little coo-ing a little clucking. Definitely not nearly as obnoxious as the power saws, hammering, lawn mowers or other such neighborhood noise on a Sunday morning.
And besides if there is going to be a rule for chickens because of noise…then it needs to apply to DOGS. dogs are way louder and more obnoxious than chickens.
J JJ June 7, 2012
Pretty hard to have chickens in this area with all the nuisance destructive raccoons around.
R Radar June 8, 2012
It’s funny that JJ mentions racoons. I’m in the county, and my neighbor had chickens right against the property line. Before I had a chance to ask for them to be moved a racoon got both of them on successive mornings. It solved my problem.
In my experience they were both smelly and noisy. Maybe it depends upon the breed and the amount of care the owner gives the coop.
Pierce County also has the setback at 45 feet, and has resisted requests to change it.
J JD June 8, 2012
Some want be strict on Chickens but not dogs or cats? How about permits and requirements for keeping yards clean and having the required cages enforced for chickens along with checking up on dog and cat owners having them spayed or neutered and licensed. Don’t start an argument on the chicken laws if you can even enforce the rest of the animal laws.
M Morty June 8, 2012
Ban Chickens in the City, you want livestock move to the country. People can’t be forced to clean up and nothing can be done about noise and smell and let’s face it only hippies or hillbillies keep chickens in the City.