Town faces backlash over new chicken ownership regulations

In a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding proposed changes to the Town of Wake Forest's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that could impact residents' ability to keep backyard chickens. The discussion centered around a new requirement for residents to obtain a zoning compliance permit before keeping small animals, including hens, which contradicts the existing ordinance that allows for backyard flocks of up to ten hens without a permit.

The proposed amendments, particularly section 345 e, would impose restrictions based on lot size, limiting residents to four hens per quarter acre, with a maximum of twelve hens for properties of one acre or more. Critics argue that these new regulations undermine a 2008 decision by the board of commissioners, which had previously favored allowing residents to keep hens without such limitations. They contend that the new requirements not only disregard the will of the community but also grant the town excessive authority over personal property rights.

Additionally, concerns were raised about the vagueness of enforcement criteria outlined in section 345 f, which states that enclosures for animals must be removed if deemed unmaintained or if removal is necessary for public health and safety. This ambiguity has led to fears of potential violations of constitutional rights and state statutes regarding property and livestock.

The meeting highlighted a growing tension between local governance and residents' rights, as community members seek to preserve their ability to maintain backyard flocks without unnecessary regulation. The outcome of these proposed changes remains to be seen, as the town continues to navigate the balance between regulation and personal freedoms.