Domestic livestock ordinance in Newton not likely to change

In response to a comment made last month by council member Vicki Wade about a citizen’s request to allow chickens on residential parcels in Newton smaller than one acre, staff provided officials with a presentation about the city’s ordinance regarding domestic livestock within city limits.

Egg prices at grocery stores is what prompted the request. In an effort to save money in the long run, Wade suggested the resident thought about purchasing chickens for her property. But according to city code, she said, the resident could only have livestock on the property if it is one acre or larger in size.

Erin Chambers, director of community development for the City of Newton, led the presentation near the end of the Feb. 6 council meeting and confirmed what the resident learned is correct. For every one acre of land, residents are allowed four sheep, goats, swine, alpacas or chickens, or two horses or two cattle.

“We all know when we go to the grocery store right now eggs are extremely expensive,” Chambers said.

Currently, the average price of eggs in Iowa is about $3.25. While that number is higher than normal, it is lower than the national median cost of eggs. According to a January report published by Forbes, the median cost of eggs in the United States is $4.25. Owning chickens could provide a cost-effective solution.

Domestic livestock is permitted in Newton’s agricultural districts, as well as the city’s R-1 and R-2 residential districts, provided certain criteria are met. In addition to limitations on the number of animals and requiring properties to be larger than one acre, Chambers said there are rules for how to house the livestock.

“Their domain has to be at least 100 feet from a residence on any neighboring property,” Chamber said. “As the code exists, it allows for domestic livestock — chickens and others — on property inside Newton city limits. It allows it in such a way that the impacts to neighboring properties are minimized.”

However, community development staff and the planning and zoning commission can take a look at the city’s current ordinance at the direction of council or should any citizen submit a zoning amendment application. The application does cost $100, which Wade suggested might have been a deal breaker for the resident.

“Typically zoning amendments come to the City of Newton from applicants who typically have a development in mind. Because we’re talking about the zoning code typically that’s regulating development,” Chambers said. “From time to time there are issues like these that an average citizen might have more interest in.”

When applications are received, the planning and zoning commission takes a look at the matter with staff input, comments from city departments and the city’s utility companies. Ultimately, a recommendation from the planning and zoning commission — an advisory board — is then provided to city council.

“Alternatively if we don’t have a citizen application and the $100 submitted, the city council can ask the planning and zoning commission to study matters related to the zoning code,” Chambers said. “That can be done by a resolution of the council asking planning zoning to take a look at the matter.”

From a city staff perspective, Chambers added that not many properties that are less than one acre can probably meet that 100-foot threshold.

Average lot widths in Newton are 60 to 66 feet wide, according to Chambers.

While the resident who spurred the city staff presentation may not be interested in raising chickens any longer, Wade said since she made the comment she received feedback from three other community members who did not realize chickens were allowed at all within city limits.

“But they were against us reducing the property restrictions to less than one acre,” Wade said. “So at this point I’m kind of one for three. Unless there were other members of the community that approached anyone on the council and said, ‘Hey, I’m for this,’ then I think we should probably just let it go at this point.”

Still, Wade said the presentation provided a great education piece for community members.