Getting fresh eggs, milk and honey in Long Beach could soon be as simple as going into the backyard.

The City Council voted 9-0 Tuesday to have an ordinance drafted that relaxes restrictions on keeping chickens, goats and bees.

The amended law, to return within 30 days, would change regulations established during the city’s 20th-century urbanization, such as the prohibition on having a goat south of Anaheim Street. Points north were then considered more rural.

Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal introduced the item and said it fits into an ongoing push in Long Beach toward more sustainable lifestyles and an enhanced sense of social justice.

She pointed out city law allows residents to have up to four large breed dogs with no setback limitations, and pushed back against the idea that owning chickens, goats or bees would be any more impactful than having traditionally-accepted pets.

“I think that’s a very unfair, broad brush that we cast across the canvas and one we should be careful not to do,” Lowenthal said.

The potential rules are essentially the same as the ordinance narrowly defeated in July 2013, which reduced setback distances from homes for goats and chickens to 10 feet. Beehives would be restricted to 10 feet from property lines.

A pair of goats, and a pair only, must be kept under the law, because goats are social animals and a single goat would get lonely. Goat products would be for personal use only. Licensing requirements and fees also apply to those who have goats and five to 20 chickens. Having more than four chickens would also increase setback restrictions.

Lowenthal’s proposal differs from the previous iteration in removing the requirement to dehorn goats. The action followed consultation with the community and livestock experts.

Councilman Al Austin said he had lingering concerns about the potential effects of goats, but ultimately voted yes.

Long Beach Grows Executive Director Donna Marykwas, a supporter of the law for years, told the council she has owned chickens, goats and bees as well as dogs and cats.

“I can personally say, of all the animals, the quietest ones are the goats,” Marykwas said.

Current law says that one goat can be kept 100 feet away from homes. As many as 20 chickens can be kept on a property 50 feet away from a house, or one chicken at least 20 feet from any dwelling. The distance increases to 100 feet for a residence of three or more units.

Beehives must be elevated 10 feet, 100 feet away from both houses and any public way.

Officials based the law after studying small-scale animal husbandry regulations in cities such as Seattle, Santa Monica, San Diego and San Francisco.

Contact Eric Bradley at 562-499-1254.