Polson exploring rules for keeping chickens

The Polson City Commission is working on an ordinance to allow approved residents to keep chickens on their property.

Code Compliance Officer Matthew Ellermann presented a proposed list of rules and an outline for an application process during the commission’s March 1 meeting.

The proposal calls for interested residents to provide proof of property ownership, a site plan for a chicken house and runs, approval from city staff and approval from adjacent or neighboring properties.

The plan calls for a limit of six chickens per property and no roosters allowed. Chickens would not be allowed to run free on city property, and they would be required to remain in a predator-proof enclosure from sunset to sunrise. Other rules address sanitation, odors and food storage.

One proposed rule states: “No chicken house shall be located closer than 30 feet to any structure inhabited by someone other than the chicken owner, custodian, or keeper, and not closer than 10 feet to any property line.”

The proposal also prohibits the slaughtering of chickens within public view.

Ellerman said he based his guidelines on similar ordinances from other cities across the state.

“Some of them are very restrictive and some of them aren’t,” Ellerman said. “I thought to err on the side of more restrictions, and we can loosen those restrictions as you guys see fit.”

Ellerman suggested an annual fee of $35 to $40, with the possibility of citations for violations of city code.

“I think it’s a lot of rules,” Ward 3 Commissioner Carolyn Pardini said. “I think it’s prohibitive for those 4-H kids.”

Ward 1 Commissioner Lou Marchello said the issue came up several years ago when people came to the commission to ask that keeping chickens be allowed but they didn’t want any restrictions.

“I believe keeping them enclosed and having only six hens is a good thing.”

Commissioners Jan Howlett of Ward 1 and Patricia Corrigan-Ekness of Ward 2 both expressed general support for rules as presented.

“The only drawback I see … is the neighbor involvement,” Mayor Paul Briney said. “That’s going to get you a lot of headaches that you don’t necessarily need because the rules have covered everything else. … When you start getting neighbors involved it can get kind of ugly.”

Resident May Simmons addressed the commission, and pointed out that her property is surrounded by apartments, so gaining consent of all her neighbors is unrealistic and burdensome.

Rules regarding proper wiring for a heat source during the winter received the most discussion. Ellerman stressed the need for safety and avoidance of fires. Simmons argued that she shouldn’t have to bear the cost of hiring an electrician to keep six hens warm.

Ellerman said he would revise the rules based on the discussion and bring the proposal back to the commission during the March 15 meeting.

In other business, the commission unanimously appointed rancher and attorney Walter Congdon as a citizen at large to the Polson Redevelopment Agency. Congdon’s term runs through Dec. 31, 2024.