Planning & Zoning Unanimously Approves Chickens
August '12 3
To avoid any confusion, chickens are not legal yet.
After a unanimous vote (9-0) from the Planning & Zoning committee, the ordinance changes to allow backyard chickens will go before council for (hopefully) a final vote to accept the committee’s recommendation to approve the ordinance. Town of Cary now has all of their meeting videos on youtube and you can watch the Planning & Zoning meeting of July 16, 2012, if you want.
The ordinance as it left the Planning & Zoning committee:
- One time, $50 accessory use permit required
- Build a chicken coop so it’s not a predator feeding pen
- Coop and run must be 10’ from all property lines
- No free ranging1
- At most 6 hens
- No roosters
- No outdoor slaughter. Allowed onsite, if out of sight.
- Minimum lot size of 6,000 sq. ft.
1 Jeff Ulma, Director of Planning and Zoning Department, clarified that the intent is to ensure all “chicken activity” adheres to the 10’ setback. Chickens can free range in a fenced area that is 10’ from all property lines. Fenced area doesn’t need to be covered.
