NORWICH – The days of owning farm animals within the Norwich City limits are gone. After passing a resolution to amend the city charter on Tuesday night, residents in the City of Norwich will no longer be able to keep farm animals.
The council and the City Code Enforcement Office has been working on the ordinance since it was first brought up by Fifth Ward Alderman Paul Laughlin nearly a year ago. Laughlin, a resident of Sheldon Street, said he’d received several complaints from Ward Five residents about a Sheldon Street property where animals were being kept. Since Laughlin first brought the issue to the council’s attention, the residence has reportedly housed cows, sheep, goats and a flock of chickens.
During a public hearing held on the ordinance Tuesday night, the council heard no comments for or against the matter; however, community members have addressed the council in favor of the ordinance in the past. “Nobody contested [the ordinance] during the public hearing,” Laughlin said after the meeting. He explained that some Sheldon Street residents were present in case they needed to voice their support of the ordinance, but felt it was unnecessary given the lack of opposition.
The amendment to the city charter states that it is made “to prevent nuisances and generally to protect the health, welfare and well being of the public.”
The charter now states that it is unlawful to keep “any horse, mare, donkey, mule, cattle, sheep, swine, mink, goat, poultry, pheasant or any other barnyard animal within the limits of the city without first having obtained and having in full force and effect a written permit.”
According to City Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence, the Sheldon Street property has no animals at this time, and with the stringent permit requirements, the property is not likely to receive a permit to keep animals in the near future.
To obtain a permit, residents must meet minimum space requirements, which require at minimum lot size of five acres and structures on the property to be a minimum of 50 feet from any property line. The Chenango County Fairgrounds, located within the city limits, is exempt from the ordinance.
According to city officials, there are a few five-acre parcels in the city limits, some of which are privately owned. Anyone requesting a permit would also have to undergo an inspection of their property, and City Codes would continue inspections after the permit was issued.
Laughlin was pleased that the animal issue had been addressed. “The last time this was a problem was years ago, and when they passed an ordinance to address it all they put in were pigs,” Laughlin said.
The Ward Five Alderman said many of his neighbors are happy the issue has been addressed. “They’ve put up with this for over a year,” Laughlin explained.
In addition to farm animals, the charter also prohibits the keeping or raising of wild or exotic animals.