Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Clintonville residents will be able to raise chickens in the city once an ordinance passed this week takes effect.
The Common Council voted 6-4 Tuesday to approve the ordinance.
Alderpersons Jerry Jorgenson, Jeannie Schley, Mary Beth Kuester, Gloria Dunlavy, James Krause and Greg Rose voted in favor of it; John Wilson, Bill Zeinert, Phil Rath and Mark Doornink voted no.
“Madison has had chickens for about a year and a half, and there have been no complaints,” Jorgenson said.
“I received no positive feedback from people,” Doornink said.
Residents will need to pay a $20 license fee and must have a license before having chickens on the premises. Licenses are effective as of Jan. 1 and must be renewed annually.
The ordinance allows up to six hens on lots with single-family dwellings. Roosters are not allowed. Slaughtering of chickens is not allowed except on properties zoned and approved for such use.
Hens must be provided with a coop, which can be no closer than 25 feet to any residential structures on adjacent lots, and an outdoor, fenced structure in which to run. Coops must be located in the rear yard of the property.
The rules for the general care note that food must be provided daily and clean water must be provided at all times and changed daily. All chicken feed must be kept in airtight containers and out of reach of wild animals.
Raising or keeping of hens for fighting is not allowed.
Residents can apply for a license at the city clerk’s office. They will need to show the location, coop design and a building permit. Properties on which chickens are kept must be registered as a livestock premises with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. If the property is not owner-occupied, the applicant must have written approval from the landlord or owner of the property.
Noise or nuisance complaints will lead to warnings, potential fines up to $500 and loss of license.
“We looked at some other cities on how to do this,” Rose said. “If it doesn’t work out, we can pull the ordinance. We can give the citizens the benefit of the doubt. This ordinance is stricter than most.”
The Shawano Common Council recently rejected a similar ordinance that would’ve allowed up to four backyard chickens.