The municipality of Lima updates its ordinance on keeping chickens

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Chickens are now allowed in some residential homes in Lima Township, as long as they follow rules outlined in a recently updated city ordinance.

Sun Times News came to the attention of this issue after local author and Lima resident Celina Marie Chase contacted us in hopes that the Lima City Board of Supervisors would adapt its backyard chicken policy for the community. At the time, she, her family and others like her were not allowed to have chickens in their yards.

An elated Chase recently told STN to “let readers know that Lima Township is the newest area to allow backyard chickens in Washtenaw County!”

Updated ordinance begins: “Raising chickens in residential areas. The keeping of chickens for non-commercial purposes is permitted in R-1A, R-1B, R-1C or R-1D districts provided they are kept in a manner consistent with the following standards…

Here are the standards:
A. The property owner must submit a zoning application pursuant to Section 3.4 that demonstrates compliance with the zoning ordinance provisions.
B. This activity will remain an accessory use, incidental to the main use of the plot as the main residence of the property owner or its tenants.
C. No more than six (6) chickens may be kept.
D. Roosters, male hens, or any other class of poultry fowl are prohibited.
E. Chickens should be kept as pets or laid eggs for personal use only.
F. Chickens should be housed in a covered, predator-proof run that is thoroughly ventilated, of sufficient size to allow free movement of the chickens, designed to be easily accessible, cleaned and maintained by owners, and with at least two (2) feet of square for chicken. All chicken runs should be constructed or repaired to prevent the passage of rats, mice and other rodents under, within or within the walls of the run.
G. Chickens should be cooped up at night, from sunset to sunrise.
H. All feed should be stored in rodent and predator proof containers.
I. Chickens may not be kept anywhere on the property other than the backyard.
J. All containers, shelters, pens and fences shall meet the minimum yard setbacks for the zoned area.
K. The slaughter of chickens on the premises is prohibited.

When Chase contacted STN, she explained in detail why this issue is so important to her and her family.

For those who have done it or are doing it, Chase told STN that keeping chickens in the yard can be a wonderful experience. From raising little chicks to caring for their well-being every day and then seeing what they can bring to the table, the life of a backyard chicken farm is all about responsibility, learning and fun.

These themes play a large role in her children’s book, “Bawk Bawk in the Backyard: The True Story of a Backyard Chicken,” and also motivated her to work with town officials in hopes of seeing change.

Chase said her husband and children were with her at the township board meeting the night the ordinance was approved.

“We were so excited and couldn’t wait to see the chickens!” she said. “The very next day we ordered chicks from Dexter Mill and started building our chicken coop. Our chicks are already five weeks old. It was fun watching them grow!”

She added: “I am grateful to the Lima Planning Commission for proposing the ordinance and to the Board of Supervisors for approving it. Now more residents can experience the joy of keeping chickens!”