Backyard Chickens and Goats in Denver
I don’t know if you have heard, but there has been a lot of drama going on in Denver regarding the permitting process for backyard food-producing animals in city-close neighborhoods.
Here is a summary from the Denver Post regarding the recent passing of an ordinance by the City Council that will make the process much easier:
It will soon be easier to own chickens and goats in the city.
By a vote of 7-3, the Denver City Council on Monday approved an ordinance change that eases restrictions and eliminates some of the paperwork now faced by would-be urban homesteaders.
Denver residents can already legally keep chickens, ducks and goats. The vote Monday changes the permitting process and makes it easier — and cheaper — to own the animals.
Currently, Denver residents have to complete a permit process that requires them to notify their neighbors of their intention to own the animals and to pay a one-time, $100 permit fee and $50 a year for chickens and $100 a year for livestock, such as goats.
Monday’s vote means that after the ordinance change takes effect, residents will pay only a one-time $20 license fee.
The license will allow them to keep up to eight chickens or ducks — but not roosters or drakes — and up to two dwarf goats without having to get a zoning permit or notify the public.
If you haven’t yet come across a friend or neighbor who is keeping backyard food-producing animals, chances are you will sometime soon…it’s a practice that is growing in popularity across the United States, and with all of the publicity and information that was made possible by this debate, along with loads of media coverage, I bet it’s got even more people considering it.
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