Alliance votes to permit chickens in the city

ALLIANCE ‒ Residents can now own chickens within the city limits.

City Council on Monday voted to amend city laws to permit residents to own up to six hens. No roosters are allowed.

Council opted to allow female chickens for personal or household use in residential backyards.

The changes also require these chickens be kept in a secured enclosure − a maximum of 18 square feet outside and/or inside − that is clean. All chicken feed must be stored in rodent-proof containers, and chickens must not be fed in a manner that attracts rodents. Specifically, the feed should not be provided on the ground.

Lastly, the area where the chickens are kept must be at least 50 feet away from other residences and at least 20 feet away from the property line.

Councilman Phillip Mastroianni said residents have expressed interest with the city for some time to allow for backyard chickens, and, "We really see no difference between having a dog in your backyard and having chickens, as long as you do the proper upkeep."

He added they chose six hens because stores such as Tractor Supply require customers to buy no less than six chicks.

"No roosters. We're very clear on this," Mastroianni said.

It is not expected that city officials will monitor every backyard operation for compliance.

However, Law Director Caitlyn Weyer said complaints might "trigger" a visit from zoning officials and repeat violations could result in tickets.

In other business, council members:

• Authorized Mayor Andy Grove and other city officials to explore adopting Juneteenth, a federal holiday, as a paid day-off for city workers. "It's the right thing to do. It's a national holiday," Grove said.
• Heard five property owners express their objection over a city proposal to regulate rental properties.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com . On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP .

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance votes to permit chickens in the city