tutye / Depositphotos.com
Goderich Town Council has approved a by-law change that will officially allow backyard hens.
The by-law amendment was a housekeeping change that would remove barriers from owning the animals within the town’s urban area.
The town’s Animal Control By-law was reviewed separately previously to permit the keeping of backyard hens.
The change will add Section 6.15.4.2 to the existing by-law, stating that “Hens may be raised and kept on residentially zoned property as an accessory use in accordance with the requirements and restrictions of the Town’s Animal Control By-law.”
During the public meeting on Monday, nobody came forward to give their support or to speak against the amendment.
“I think we would hope that people would be neighbourly in regards to if someone wants to have four backyard hens, they actually talk to their neighbours and make sure that they’re OK with that as well,” said Mayor Trevor Bazinet. “And if they’re not OK with that, then I guess that’s a further conversation they need to work out amongst themselves.”
Council approved the change, and another report will come back to council later this month.
Now that the amendment has been approved by council, there is a 20-day appeal period for zoning by-law amendments.