In March of 2014, then Town Planner Rob Testerman was tasked with researching the feasibility of an ordinance that would allow people to keep chickens in the backyard. In a report to the Planning Commission, Testerman stated, “If written properly, a backyard chicken ordinance is feasible for Cape Charles. It boils down to whether or not the Town wants it.” Testerman looked at things like noise, odor, disease, predators and lot sizes, but he determined that a chicken ordinance could be enforced the same way as other town ordinances.
While Testerman was instructed to draft a chicken ordinance, it was eventually voted down by town council. The town’s ban on agricultural activities in residential areas remains unchanged, and contains no exception for chickens.
Three years later, the movement to revisit the chicken ordinance is beginning to gain momentum. For many, the defeat of the chicken ordinance was more a reflection of a weak town council than a convincing counter argument. With new members, many are hoping the issue can be taken up once again.
Addressing the concerns:
-Noise: If you don’t have roosters, chickens aren’t noisy. Hens cluck softly all day long, and then return to the coop at dusk and remain quiet all night.
-Smell: A small flock of two or three chickens will create a comparable amount of litter as an average dog. The coop should not smell if it is kept clean. The draft ordinance included a “well-maintained coop,” section. Owners could be cited under the law.
-Predators: Chickens can fall prey to foxes, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, hawks, and sometimes neighboring dogs. There are ways to keep them safe, and it should be the responsibility of the chicken owner to do that. Whether chickens will create a substantial uptick in predators coming into town may be something to consider.
Is it time to allow chickens into Cape Charles? Comment here, or send comments to capecharlesmirror@gmail.com.
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Just got back from Key West, FL where chickens and roosters roam free. They are a great tourist attraction, make little noise, help to keep the insect population down and are a joy to observe. Maybe the Town Council should get out more and observe what works in other communities before passing judgement in Cape Charles.
Bravo! Many communities allow backyard chickens. In the DC metropolitan area, Takoma Park is one community that does, although I don’t know what regulations are in place. Might be worth checking.
I agree with David Ga’s observations.
Cape Charles will never be a Key West, even in the summer!
I agree with keeping chickens in Cape Charles, but only because Virginia Law changed in 2016.
Prior to 01 July 2016, any dog caught killing livestock or poultry was to be immediately killed. The new law allows the dog to live, under strict rules.
https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?161+sum+HB1231
Rather than “either/or” maybe CC could just limit the number of chickens? One chicken for every 2 people, plus one for the pot… 🙂
As a child I raised Golden Seabright Bantam hens. At that time I had no other pets so my chickens were my pets. Dad would let me take my favorite hen on family Sunday drives. She was hatched in the glove compartment of our car one summer. I was the first living being “Beeps” saw so she identified with me as much as she did with her mama. YES, VIRGINIA, A CHICKEN CAN BE A PET.
PLEASE DO REVISIT THE BACKYARD CHICKEN ORDINANCE