Backyard Chickens To Take Over Portage!

Approximation of eventual chicken take over of Portage.

That's right backyard chickens are a go, so all you backyard chicken naysayers prepare for Backyard Chicken Take Over 2011!

On April 12th, the Portage City Council approved the keeping of backyard chickens in the "Urban Chickens Ordinance" after five months of discussion under the Portage Planning Commission.

So What Are the Rules?

Portage residents can raise up to six chickens on single-family properties under these restrictions.

• No roosters allowed; single ladies (hens) only.  

• Coops
• Must be 10 feet from property lines and 30 feet from neighboring residents.
• Cannot be more than six feet high.
• Cannot contain more than 80 square feet of total space.

• Permit 
• A one time permit costing $50.00 is required.

• Want Free-range chickens?
• Chickens are allowed to roam backyards during daylight hours within a fenced in area that is at least four feet tall.
• Note that the coop and run don't have to be within this fenced area.
• The best part is the City Council took out the Planning Commission's requirement for a six foot tall opaque fence! I don't even know who has a six foot tall fence in Portage, let alone an "opaque" fence.

• "But I Don't Want to be a Pie, I Don't Like Gravy!"
• You cannot slaughter your chickens outside. Eww...

Portagers, go forth and obtain your chickens! Just make sure you do your research first. If you need tips, check out my other chicken posts for info. and links. 

Looking for the article from the Gazette? Look no further, it is here!

Want the full rundown from the April 12th, City Council Meeting, including all the legal jargon? Here you go: Agenda and Minutes. Unless you want to read the whole 180 pages--why would you?--start on page 18. If you want to cut to the chase, the "Final" report is on page 29.

Now all I need to do is measure my backyard to see if I can even keep chickens; it's pretty small. I'm also looking into how to post the PowerPoint/pdf I presented to the city; if anyone knows how please post in the comments.