BATH

People living within the city limits who might like to have a few laying hens on the property have been pretty much out of luck.

The prospects of owning chickens on lots of fewer than two acres, however, appear to be a bit brighter. Tonight, the Planning Board will conduct a workshop concerning a chicken ordinance draft, and the issue could progress to a public hearing this spring.

As it stands, restrictions are much less restrictive for lots of two or more acres.

“The Planning Board has discussed amending those standards for some time,” said Andrew Deci, the city’s planning director. “I’m working on putting together a new list of regulations.”

While Bath is just beginning to scratch the surface regarding chickens in the city, other  cities in southern Maine already allow them on a limited basis. Portland, South Portland, Westbrook and Falmouth are among the communities that all allow chickens.

In Portland, residents are allowed to own up to  six female chickens, but no roosters, which make more noise. The city requires that coops be 100 feet from any residential property or street border.

 

Currently in Bath, for animals other than “typical household pets.”

 — If the property on which the animals are to be kept is less than 2 acres and/or the applicant cannot feasibly or would rather not meet the setbacks in Items A and B, a permit for keeping animals may be authorized by the Planning Board if the following standards are met:

 — All pens, stables, barns, or other shelters for animals are set back at least 100 feet from the nearest dwelling other than the applicant’s.

 — All manure is stored in a covered structure and at least 100 feet from the nearest dwelling, other than the applicant’s, at least 100 feet from the nearest potable water supply, and at least 100 feet from the normal high watermark of any water body, or watercourse.

 — All structures are set back the required number of feet, as defined in this Code.

 — Manure-storage structures are constructed according to plans approved by the Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District.

 — All feed and grain are stored in rodent-proof containers.

 

— All paddocks, pastures, or other similar areas are adequately fenced to contain the animals.

 “With less than two acres,” Deci said, “the standards are restrictive.”

 Deci said that the Planning Board might conduct a public hearing on chickens on plots of less than two acres as early as March or April.