ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Not wanting to run afoul of the law, Plainfield Township on Tuesday applied for — and got — approval for a zoning ordinance amendment regarding the raising and keeping of domesticated chickens at residential properties.
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's Comprehensive Committee agreed to add new definitions for ordinances addressing "Domesticated Chicken Run or Pen,” “Domesticated Fowl” and "Domesticated Hen House or Coop.”
A chicken run is defined as an outdoor enclosed or fenced area where chickens feed or exercise.
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's Committee recommended to limit the maximum number of fowl allowed per acre to "no more than the safe stocking density recommended for each type/breed of fowl with an overall maximum of 100 birds per acre."Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's Comprehensive Committee
The amendment re-establishes the standards and regulations for raising and keeping non-commercial domesticated chickens at residential properties within Plainfield Township.
That includes, but is not limited to, identification of permitted zoning districts, establishing limits and requiring specific conduct of applicants.
The committee recommended that the township consider changing its current zoning ordinance to “no limit on a lot size of more than 1 acre" to limit the maximum number of fowl allowed per acre to "no more than the safe stocking density recommended for each type/breed of fowl with an overall maximum of 100 birds per acre.”
Prevent overcrowding, disease
Such a recommendation would, the LVPC said, prevent overcrowding and its negative effects and increased risk of disease transmission.
LVPC also suggested the township consider adding language to the ordinance requiring the residence in question must be occupied by the owner of the property, or the resident must have expressed written permission from the property owner to keep chickens there.
Also, residents keeping chickens shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests in all areas of premises occupied by chickens, including, but not limited to, coops and pens.
Comprehensive Planning Committee Vice Chairman John K. Gallagher said many Lehigh Valley municipalities restrict the keeping of roosters in residential areas.Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Comprehensive Committee
Comprehensive Planning Committee Vice Chairman John K. Gallagher said many Lehigh Valley municipalities restrict the keeping of roosters in residential areas.
He asked the committee if the application includes language restricting roosters, which may disturb neighbors.
LVPC Executive Director Becky A. Bradley said it does.
