MONROE - Two city residents have already applied to keep chickens in their backyards after the Monroe Common Council set the fees for permits earlier this month.
City Clerk Carol Stamm said the city has received two applications for chicken permits since the city finalized the paperwork. On April 6, the council decided on an initial fee of $50 to apply, followed by an annual $25 permit fee.
City Building Inspector Ryan Lindsey and Stamm evaluate applications and follow up with the physical details of the proposed chicken run and coop on residents' property. Under the city's new ordinance allowing backyard chickens, the run and coop have setback rules to ensure the structures are not more than 25 feet away from neighboring habitable structures, and 10 feet from the applicant's property line. The coop also has to be secure against rodents and predators.
The ordinance also specifies no more than six chickens can be kept by the property owner, and neither slaughtering nor roosters are allowed within city limits. All hens must be kept in the coop from sunset to sunrise. There must be at least 4 square feet per chicken and the coop has to be a humane environment for the animals.
Stamm evaluated the cost for chicken permits in other cities. The city decided to echo Janesville's policy, which also requires an initial payment of $50 followed by an annual $25 renewal fee, contingent upon no previous violations with the chickens.
City Clerk Carol Stamm said the city has received two applications for chicken permits since the city finalized the paperwork. On April 6, the council decided on an initial fee of $50 to apply, followed by an annual $25 permit fee.
City Building Inspector Ryan Lindsey and Stamm evaluate applications and follow up with the physical details of the proposed chicken run and coop on residents' property. Under the city's new ordinance allowing backyard chickens, the run and coop have setback rules to ensure the structures are not more than 25 feet away from neighboring habitable structures, and 10 feet from the applicant's property line. The coop also has to be secure against rodents and predators.
The ordinance also specifies no more than six chickens can be kept by the property owner, and neither slaughtering nor roosters are allowed within city limits. All hens must be kept in the coop from sunset to sunrise. There must be at least 4 square feet per chicken and the coop has to be a humane environment for the animals.
Stamm evaluated the cost for chicken permits in other cities. The city decided to echo Janesville's policy, which also requires an initial payment of $50 followed by an annual $25 renewal fee, contingent upon no previous violations with the chickens.