Chicken visits Walnut Street but doesn't cross the road; council to review ordinance on owning chickens

This chicken was wandering unaccompanied near the former Shannon Armory on Walnut Street Thursday morning. Is it an "illegal"?

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

A Columbia Borough resident's request to keep chickens in his yard has prompted local officials to review current zoning regulations.

At the July 29 council meeting, Jesse Rabinowitz explained that his family has been growing more of their own food in response to rising costs. However, when he looked into raising chickens in his backyard, he found that borough ordinance requires properties to have at least 10,000 square feet – a threshold his property does not meet.

Rabinowitz asked council to reconsider the current ordinance, arguing that the square footage requirement prevents residents from keeping chickens. 

Mayor Leo Lutz said waste is the primary issue with backyard chickens. Borough Manager Steve Kaufhold said “We would have to change the zoning ordinance in order to do that, so we would need to look at at that internally,” Kaufhold told Rabinowitz, adding that his only recourse currently is to request a special exception from the zoning hearing board. Council President Heather Zink said council could put it on their legislation list.

In addition to the 10,000 feet requirement, current regulations require permits for any chicken coop or animal enclosure and mandate that such structures be placed at least 20 feet from residential buildings and 100 feet from food service establishments. 

Residents interested in keeping chickens are advised to contact Columbia Borough Hall for current regulations and permit requirements.