Sturgis commissioners raise fees for chicken ordinance violations, lower fees for permits

After nearly a half-hour of discussion Wednesday, the Sturgis City Commission approved the ordinance allowing urban chickens within city limits.

The ordinance was approved earlier this month by voters, with more than 55% in favor. What was determined Wednesday were the following fees for permitting and violations:

• Initial permit application: A $75 fee was approved, following the initial proposal of a $150 fee and consideration of a $25 fee.
• Renewal permit application: A $0 fee was approved, following the initial proposal of a $75 fee. The lack of a renewal fee is expected to be the only significant change to the renewal process.
• Additional inspections: A $50 fee was proposed and approved.
• Chickens running at large: A fee of $40 per chicken was proposed and approved. Running at large means that the chickens leave the property they’re permitted to be on, whether getting into neighbors’ property or the general vicinity.
• Keeping chickens prior to a permit being issued: A $100 fee was proposed and approved.
• First offense violation of the ordinance: A $150 fee was approved, following the initial proposal of a $100 fee.
• Second offense violation of the ordinance: A $300 fee was approved, following the initial proposal of a $200 fee.
• Third or higher offense violation of the ordinance: A $500 fee was approved, following the initial proposal of a $300 fee.

Sturgis is expected to begin the permitting process for raising urban chickens beginning in February. During Wednesday’s meeting, City Clerk Ken Rhodes explained why the proposed permitting and violation fees were not included with pre-election information or at polling locations.

“They weren’t relevant unless the ordinance itself passed,” Rhodes said. “The first question that was asked of the voters was, ‘Do you want chickens in the city?’ Once the answer was yes, the second step was to go ahead and finish with the zoning and the fees. There’s no point in finishing zoning changes if it didn’t pass in the first place.”

Sturgis’ ordinance allows for the keeping, regulating, and permitting of up to six female chickens in R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 single residential use zoning districts, Watershed Voice reported in October. Conditions also include keeping all chickens fully cooped in an enclosed backyard area subject to property line setbacks and kept at a minimum distance from neighboring residences.

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.