CAPE ELIZABETH – A recommendation from the Cape Elizabeth ordinance committee to prohibit roosters on lots in town smaller than 40,000 square feet will be discussed at a public hearing in November.

According to Councilor Kathy Ray, chairwoman of the ordinance committee, the ban would affect 2,800 properties.

Complaints this summer about a rooster crowing during the early morning hours in the Farm Hill Road neighborhood prompted the town to revisit whether to adopt an ordinance banning roosters. The Town Council considered regulations in 2011, but the discussion was dropped after a so-called “rooster in question” disappeared, said Ray.

The latest flap centers on neighbors’ concerns with a noisy rooster named Elvis, owned by Patrick and Crystal Kennedy of Cape Elizabeth.

Councilor Caitlin Jordan said that instead of banning roosters by lot size, the town should consider regulating roosters based on noise, like it does with barking dogs.

Police Chief Neil Williams said, “Quite frankly, dogs and roosters are two separate items. Dogs don’t bark all the time, and not all dogs bark.”

Williams said this is the third time in his 35 years as police chief that the town has handled complaints about loud roosters.

Councilors set a public hearing on the possible rooster regulations for Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.