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- Washington Terrace has approved an ordinance change allowing backyard chickens after nearly three years of debate.
- The ordinance allows up to six chickens, depending on lot size, with setbacks for coops and other restrictions.
- The city becomes the last in Weber County to allow backyard birds, according to proponents.
WASHINGTON TERRACE — After nearly three years of debate and discussion, Washington Terrace residents can keep chickens in their backyards.
Some people actually had them on the sly in the Weber County locale, according to Mayor Mark Allen. But in a 3-2 vote last week, the Washington Terrace City Council approved an ordinance change allowing homeowners to now legally keep them, though rules and restrictions apply.
The city becomes the last locale in Weber County to permit the birds, according to proponents, but after an on-and-off debate dating to early 2022, the Jan. 21 vote was almost humdrum. Councilman Jeff West reiterated his concerns about allowing chickens on smaller lots at the meeting, and then the council members voted before an audience of three.
"I don't know how many people will actually take advantage of it," City Manager Tom Hanson said Tuesday. South Ogden officials voted last August to permit backyard chickens for the first time.
Members of the organization that spearheaded the backyard chicken change, the Washington Terrace Backyard Chicken Alliance, didn't immediately respond to queries seeking comment. But they crowed about the news in a Facebook post: "Between inflation and the egg shortage, get you some warrior chickens. It is time."
The debate over chickens reached a crescendo in Weber County several years ago as leaders in Ogden debated change, finally approved after heated deliberation in late 2017, allowing the backyard birds. Proponents tout the eggs chickens produce and the educational opportunity for kids to care for the animals. Foes variously worry the critters will draw rodents and see allowing them as creating a farmyard atmosphere within a city's confines.
Now Washington Terrace is the last Weber County locale to debate the issue and allow them, according to proponents.
Per the city's guidelines, noisy roosters will not be allowed, which is fairly standard. Moreover, setbacks apply for the placement of chicken coops, in part to minimize potential conflicts with neighbors. They're only allowed in homeowner-occupied homes, and houses on lots measuring less than 6,000 square feet will be able to maintain up to three chickens, a sore point for West.
"I'm OK with three chickens, but not on lots that small," he said at last week's meeting. "I just don't think we should be below the 8,000-square-foot minimum lot size."
Homes on lots measuring 6,000 to 8,000 square feet may have up to four chickens while homes on lots larger than 8,000 square feet can keep up to six. Those who have clandestinely maintained chickens will have to come in compliance with the new rules.
Allen, who didn't vote on the matter, isn't a fan, in part because of the small lot size of many Washington Terrace homes. He worries chickens can draw rodents and raccoons, though coop and cleanliness guidelines in the new ordinance aim to prevent that.
"Coops and runs are required to be kept clean and maintained to promote chicken health, mitigate odor and limit the presence of rodents, insects, vermin, pests and diseases," reads the ordinance.
Hanson, who sensed mixed opinions on the issue among Washington Terrace residents, hopes last week's action settles things. "In the end, hopefully, everybody will be polite and take care of the environment and we'll be good to go," he said.
Since the passage of the chicken ordinance last August in neighboring South Ogden, South Ogden City Manager Matt Dixon isn't aware of any dustups. "It's been really quiet. No big issues," he said.
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