Update to Animal Ordinance

We have another important update for our residents regarding a recent update to the Chapter 10 - Animals section of our Village Ordinances.

The Public Safety Committee was tasked with reviewing this particular section of our Code book with a lens toward backyard chickens. They listened to input from many residents over the course of several meetings, did a significant amount of research on the topic, sought advice from legal counsel, as well as animal welfare experts. In the end, they brought a proposal forward to the Board of Trustees recommending the Village continue to allow for chickens (both hens and roosters) within the Village limits. The following language has been added to our ordinances to support this recommendation:

Sec. 10-20. Chickens

(a) Chickens meeting requirements for animal sanitation and avoiding animal nuisance are allowed on residential lots designated for one family dwelling.

(b) Chickens must be kept in a secure area with adequate space for the chickens to roam within the secure area.

(c) Chickens must have access in the secure area to an enclosed shelter that is roofed, ventilated and reasonably safe from predators.

(d) Owners must provide proper care for chickens including sufficient food at all times and fresh clean water that is changed daily. A clean and healthy environment must be maintained to prevent spread of disease and pests such as rodents and insects.

The committee also clarified a few definitions in that chapter, updated the nuisance section to include crowing under excessive, continuous, loud or untimely noisemaking, specified conditions that cause noxious odors or promote the breeding of insects or rodents, and confirmed the banning of all other livestock (with exception to chickens and goats for short-term eradication of invasive species).

The Board approved the recommendation with a 4-3 vote.

It takes time for new ordinances to be published online so we wanted to make everyone aware of these changes in the meantime.