Chicken-Related Ordinance Amended in Eureka

Eureka board of aldermen approved an addition to an ordinance regulating where and how residents can keep chickens under certain zoning parameters.

Eureka residents Curtis and Nancy Burns requested the adjustment to the ordinance.

(See previously published articles:  and )

The complete ordinance, adjusted at the city's Sept. 6 meeting, now stands as follows, with the new portion shown in bold.

Chickens may be harbored and raised as pets in Eureka on a lot only within single-family residential zoning districts subject to the following restrictions upon issuance of the required permit:

1) Such activity may only be conducted on property that is not contiguous with commercially zoned property, however, such activity is allowed on property which is a minimum of 3 acres in size irrespective of the zoning of contiguous property.

2) Only chicken hens may be kept — no roosters.

3) The minimum lot area on which such activity may take place is 10,000 square feet, except as approved by the Board of Aldermen.

4) Chicken coops must be situated a minimum of 50 feet from any dwelling unit, with the exception of that of the owner.

5) No more than six chicken hens may be kept on a single lot.

6) Chicken hens must be kept in a fenced enclosure which must remain in a clean, dry and odor-free condition at all times, however, they need not be kept in a fenced enclosure when under the direct supervision of the owner on the owner's property.

7) All chicken hens and eggs raised by an individual on their lot may only be used for their and their family's personal enjoyment and consumption.