The issue of allowing chickens in residential areas is set to be revisited in Chatham-Kent.
A notice of motion by South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci is on the Monday, February 6, 2023 Council agenda, regarding the topic.
“The Municipality’s Responsible Animal Ownership By-law permits chickens on premises zoned agricultural under the Municipality’s zoning by-law permitting such use,” Ceccacci said in his notice of motion.
“There is interest from the public requesting that chickens be permitted on urban and rural residential areas.”
Ceccacci is requesting that administration conduct a C-K Let’s Talk survey to obtain feedback and comments on permitting backyard chickens in urban residential areas and rural residential areas.
At the conclusion of the survey, Ceccacci is requesting staff prepare an information report with the results of the survey and information on what surrounding municipalities are doing regarding chickens in urban areas.
He is requesting the report be brought back to Council by May of this year.
Ceccacci is also asking that consultation with public health for additional feedback and recommendations.
The issue was last before Council in 2020, but a motion by former West Kent Councillor Mark Authier failed by a split vote.
Authier had requested that administration bring back a report to Council, along with draft corresponding by-law amendments, that may permit up to four chickens per single family dwellings only in urban and rural residential areas.
The meeting on Monday takes place at the Civic Centre in Chatham, starting at 6 p.m.
