Fowl & Livestock Restrictions (PMC 6.20) “Backyard Chickens”

1. Fowl & Livestock Restrictions(PMC 6.20)“Backyard Chickens” November 25, 2013

2. Background • In May 2013, the City Council received public comment from change.org requesting an amendment to the current municipal code to ease the distance requirements for chickens

3. Background • October 23, 2013 – Provided a summary of the current ordinance and recommendation for consideration by the Legislative Policy Committee • Additional information was requested • November 20, 2013 – Report back to Legislative Policy Committee • The Committee considered the recommendation, but decided not to take an action, however they did agree that the report should be forwarded to the full City Council for consideration.

4. Summary of Current Ordinance • No fowl or rabbits can run or fly at large or go upon the premises of any other person in the city • Must be kept at a distance of 50 feet from any street line or property line (6.20.030/6.32.010) • Must be kept at a distance of 100 feet from a dwelling house, church, school, hospital or place of food (6.20.030/6.20.130) • No more than 10 in all of chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, doves, pigeons, squabs or similar fowls, rabbits, or birds of the psittacinae family (6.20.040) • Not allowed to keep any rooster over 4 months old inside the city limits of Pasadena (6.20.030)

5. Summary of Current Ordinance • The pen, coop or place in which animal is kept be maintained clean and in sanitary conditions (6.32.010) • Manure from the fowl or rabbit is required to be removed and disposed of daily (6.32.040) • An exemption to the distance requirements can be submitted to the health officer (6.20.210) • An appeal to the decision of the health officer can be made to the city manager (6.20.270)

6. Benefits of Backyard Chickens Chicken advocates list the various public health benefits of supporting backyard chicken coops • Greater access to less expensive, healthy foods • Fresh eggs • Nitrogen-rich guano for fertilizer use • Chickens can serve as composters for household food scraps

7. Potential Unintended Consequences Resident concerns regarding allowance of backyard chickens • Chickens can attract coyotes, hawks and raccoons • Odor and fly complaints if not properly maintained • Noise complaints Possible health risks • Improper handling of chickens can pose a salmonella risk and cause serious illness when passed to people (www.cdc.gov)

8. Surrounding Cities Summary

9. Proposed Recommendations to Ordinance Amend Chapter 6.20 – Fowl and Livestock Restrictions to specify the following changes for the keeping of chickens • Amend the distance requirements to 35 feet from any property dwelling for a chicken coop • Require adequate enclosure or fencing be provided to contain chickens • Require adequate shelter be provided to protect the chickens from the elements, and to prevent wildlife or other predators from gaining entry • Eliminate the allowance of keeping roosters regardless of age (concern raised by the Humane Society regarding disposition of roosters after 4 months)

10. Proposed Recommendations to Ordinance • Require the owner to register with the Humane Society and submit a completed self-certification checklist that verifies the owner conforms to the requirements • Modify the exemption authority from the Health Officer to the Poundmaster (Humane Society) • Appeal to the exemption be amended to reflect City Manager or designee • Establish a registration fee to offset the cost of managing the program

11. Outreach • The Pasadena Humane Society is in support of the proposed recommendation • Lead enforcement agency • The Public Health Department has conducted outreach to all Homeowners Associations within the City of Pasadena • No opposition was received • We received letters and correspondence to support the recommendation

12. Questions?