Erik S. Hanley

Ozaukee

GRAFTON - Chickens may soon move into the village.

A few Grafton residents would like to keep chickens and the village’s plan commission reviewed a potential ordinance June 27 that would allow it.

Director of Planning and Development Jessica Wolff said the commission was “neutral” to the draft ordinance and it will be back on the July agenda for recommendation to the village board.

Residents reached out to staff in May with the request to establish regulations for keeping domesticated chickens, according to city documents. The plan commission directed staff to prepare a draft of an ordinance for discussion.

The drafted ordinance says residents can keep a maximum of six chickens and no roosters. The annual permit would be issued by the inspection department with a $50 application fee and $25 renewal.

Chickens would have to be kept in a coop and pen, which must be kept clean. The coops must be located 40 feet from neighboring houses. The coop must be no less than 3 cubic feet of space and must be connected to a secured and fully ventilated pen.

The pen must be no less than 7 cubic feet of space per chicken with an appropriately sized nesting box with not less than one box per two chickens, the draft ordinance says.

It further says chickens must be kept as pets for personal use only with no owner selling or bartering eggs or engaging in chicken breeding for a commercial purpose. No slaughtering is allowed.

The permits wouldn’t be issued to any condominiums, duplexes, or any multi-family residential properties.