Chicken Keeping: The Rules and Regulations

Photo by Debbie Chopas

In the age of DIY everything, the popularity of small-scale homesteading, and a reflection on simpler pastimes, chicken-keeping has been gaining popularity over the past decade. Chickens are funny birds, and watching their fluffy waddles can make for a relaxing afternoon. If you’re thinking about getting poultry this spring, though, familiarize yourself with the Town regulations. Knowing the process will save you a lot of headache if your neighbors aren’t on board with your fowl friends.

First, know where to build your coop and how large to make the structure. According to Town Ordinance 91A - Animals, § 91A-42. PERMITS FOR FOWL, EQUINE, CLOVEN-HOOFED ANIMALS, ETC, before purchasing or adopting your chickens, you need an inspection by Animal Control, a division of the Matthews Police Department. Only one permit is required per household, no matter how many birds you have, and that permit must be renewed annually. Animal Control will check to make sure your new hobby won’t make your neighbors sick or unreasonably unhappy. Many of the guidelines are good to follow just because they will keep your birds healthy.

For your neighbors’ sake: Your coop and run must be at least twenty-five feet from the adjoining property line.
Build a castle: The chicken house must be at least 18-inches in height and well-ventilated. You can have up to 20 chickens per acre, but you must have a minimum of 4 square feet of floor space per chicken.
No piles of poop: The run must be well-draining, kept clean, and free from objectionable odors.
No free-ranging: Your chickens must always be confined within the run.
You’ve got to bag it up: The town is specific about handling poop. All droppings and body excretion shall be placed in a fly-proof container and double-bagged in plastic bags.

All in all, it’s a relatively easy process to get the permit, then it’s up to you to stay on top of following the rules. The reward of fresh eggs makes the small hassle at the front-end well worth it.

Morning Minute: October 18, 2018

News About Town: The Matthews Police have been working hard to keep our town safe. This past Tuesday Vice and Narcotics Detectives saw a drug deal occur outside a house on Newburg Lane. After the buyer left, officers pulled him over, found heroin then later returned to search the Newburg Lane home. Two men were arrested and charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

News Around Town: The Bellé Grille, 3022 Weddington Rd. Suite 100, is one of 17 restaurants participating in Charlotte Black Restaurant Week. The week-long celebration aims to bring new patrons and greater exposure to area black-owned restaurants. At the Bellé Grille, you can choose from entrees like fried chicken and red velvet waffles, the Belly Buster burger, or smoked turkey ribs among other options. Enjoy meals priced at $10 or $20 or $50 for two meals now through Sunday, October 21.

One Important Thing: Before you vote, get to know the six constitutional amendments on the ballot this year. When you get to the polls you’ll have chance to vote for or against each of the amendments. Many groups have weighed in on the amendments, including the National Association of Social Workers,  NC Center for Nonprofits, and NC Realtors.

Matthews Morning Minute: September 21, 2018

News About Town: Responding to a request from N.C. State Emergency Management, Matthews Police Department sent four officers to assist Fair Bluff, NC with recovery efforts from Hurricane Florence.

Eventually a total of 18 of Matthews’ Finest will travel to Fair Bluff, a small town still reeling from Hurricane Matthew.

News Above Town: Don’t get too excited, but temps will reach a mild 86 degrees today. Is that fall calling from the distance?

News Around Town: Chris Sottile, the man about town whose personality is as robust as the cheese he mongers, will be doing the final chef demo of the season at the Farmer’s Market this Saturday, September 22.  Be there by 8:50 to get a good seat, the demo starts at 9.  A trio from WDAV's Classical Harvest Concert Series will serenade the main market while you peruse peppers, while Nick Tutwiler, a fourteen-year-old fiddler, will entertain the tailgate section.

One Good Thing: If you’re looking for a way to help, local fire departments are collecting food, bottled water, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies for areas hit hard by Hurricane Florence.

Loose items should be boxed and labeled for quick identification and processing. Deliver donations to the Matthews Fire Department, Idlewild VFD, or Mint Hill Fire & Rescue by September 30.