(9/15) At the public comment period in the September Council meeting, resident Meghan Euliano requested the council consider changing regulations to the town code to allow chickens that are not currently permitted in the town code. Woodsboro’s ordinance banning chickens has been in place since the town’s original code conception in the 1970’s.
Euliano noted a growing desire for self-reliance on eggs, as well as the value in teaching children responsibility by taking care of chickens and enjoying the pleasure of having chickens as pets.
As Woodsboro is a rural, agricultural area, Euliano suggested taking a page out of other municipality books such Emmitsburg & Thurmont and limit regulations to perhaps five or six chickens per property.
In August 2021, the Town of Emmitsburg amended its animal ordinance to allow a maximum of six chickens in backyard coops. This ordinance closely matches the Frederick County and Fredrick City's Animal Code.
While the Thurmont Town Council recently had to update livestock enforcement regulations and code language due to resident complaints of smell and noise, none of the complaints had to do with chickens.
Other Woodsboro residents have reached out as well regarding chickens, according to Burgess Heath Barnes, who said if the council was to decide to vote, it is not something that could change overnight. Information would also be needed from the Planning and Zoning Commission before public comment. "Once it is in the town code, it is not something we can just go in and change. There are a lot of steps," Barnes explained.
Chickens in other municipalities often need certain square foot lot sizes and distancing requirements, which may be tricky with Woodsboro’s limited lot sizes, Barnes said.
Barnes agreed to reach out to other municipalities in regard to their regulations and guidelines.
More information is expected to be presented at the council’s October meeting.
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