Clearview to legalize backyard chickens
If passed, a new bylaw will make it legal for people to keep chickens in their backyards.
Each household would be limited to four hens and the bylaw would prohibit the sale of eggs, manure and other products associated with keeping of hens. Owners would be required to keep the hens in an enclosed area at all times.
The issue has been on the township’s docket since June when a Stayner resident asked Clearview council to follow in Meaford’s footsteps and allow people to keep chickens in their backyards within settlement areas, something that is already done illegally.
Council voted in favour of proceeding to a public meeting early in the New Year. In order to accommodate backyard chicken coops the zoning bylaw must be amended to address setback requirements. The change requires a public meeting, where people will be able to comment on the issue.
“I have a sense this is going to make some people very happy and some people very annoyed,” said Councillor Thom Paterson.
He urged staff to take extra steps to educate people about the changes that could be coming, to help with neighbour-to-neighbour relations.
The bylaw would permit the accessory keeping of hens for the purposes of companionship as a pet or of providing food for the personal consumption of occupants of a dwelling on the same lot, and does not include accessory livestock, or agricultural uses otherwise defined by the Township of Clearview’s Zoning By-law.
The licence cost of $35 will cover administration costs associated with setup of a registry and to ensure compliance every year thereafter.
At the time of registering, people will receive some information about chicken health and biosecurity. The applicant would also be required to make a declaration they would provide suitable housing and maintain a healthy environment conducive to good health and the opportunity to socialize and engage in fundamental behaviours such as scratching, roosting and dust bathing.
“People are anxious to make their chickens legal… I mean they are anxious to get chickens,” said Councillor Shawn Davidson.
