North Liberty, Iowa, passed the final reading of its urban chickens ordinance on Sept. 10, 2013, allowing up to four hens per household.(photo/Cindy Hadish)
Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan
NORTH LIBERTY – Chicken lovers here have something to crow about.
An ordinance change allowing urban hens in North Liberty passed at last night’s City Council meeting on a 3-2 vote. Gerry Kuhl, Chris Hoffman and Brian Wayson voted in favor of the measure, while Coleen Chipman and Terry Donahue were opposed.
The third and final reading included a change that reduced a proposed $250 deposit to $100, said Tracey Mulcahey, assistant city administrator.
Previously, a provision that required would-be chicken owners to obtain written approval from all neighbors was deleted.
“There’s no notification requirement” in the new ordinance, Mulcahey said.
The ordinance allows residents to seek a permit to keep up to four chickens per household; no roosters are allowed.
A $20 permit fee, plus $3 per band for each chicken, is required in addition to the deposit, which would be used in cases where chickens were abandoned or got loose and had to be taken to a shelter.
Daniela Williams, a supporter of the ordinance change, said she and her partner, Wes Hepker, hope to be among the first to receive a permit.
The two are taking an urban chickens class next week in Iowa City, but will likely wait until spring to receive their first chicks, she said.
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