Newtown Borough residents who wish to own chickens at their homes will have to abide by new rules passed by officials on Tuesday evening.
Newtown Borough Council approved ordinance amendments that put restrictions on chicken keeping in the small borough.
The move comes after the borough began dealing with a rat problem, which was partly blamed on chickens living in backyards around town.
The approved ordinance permits the owning of hens and prohibits roosters, a chicken-keeping permit will be needed from the borough, the code enforcement officer will have the right to inspect chicken coops, chickens must be kept in a sanitary and humane manner, chickens must be enclosed in a coop and run, chickens are not allowed to roam free outside of a coop and run, chicken waste must be cleaned and stored in an insect-proof container, public slaughter is prohibited, but it can take place in a chicken keeper’s home, commercial sale of chickens or eggs is prohibited, and odors and excessive noise must be kept to a minimum.
According to the approved ordinance, residents can have no more than four hens for a property with a net lot area between 5,000 and 7,500 square feet, those with 7,500 to 10,000 square feet can have no more than eight hens, and no more than 12 hens can live on any property.
Properties that currently have more chickens than allowed under the approved ordinance will be grandfathered in until the chickens die or are removed by the owners.
The ordinance will take effect five days after Tuesday’s meeting.
The council has spent considerable time this year discussing the issue of chickens.
Residents have previously complained to the borough about backyard chickens causing problems and rodents that have come along with them.
Since last summer, the borough and Bucks County Health Department have worked to crack down on the rat problem.
Council member Kris Bauman said Tuesday that the rat problem has eased since it first appeared.
The Bucks County Health Department issued the following tips for residents dealing with rodent issues:
- Store firewood and building materials at least 18 inches above ground
- Clean up pet feces daily and do not compost pet waste on the property
- Bag and dispose pet waste via regular trash disposal
- Store dog food, bird sued, etc. in rodent proof containers
- Remove pet food and water bowls after use and do not leave pet food out overnight
- Keep trash and garbage in covered containers
- Cease bird feeding activity if rodent activity is observed
- Maintain compost piles by thoroughly mixing and turning them over weekly
- Keep yards clean, lawns cut on a regular basis, and remove brush/tree debris Fill any holes noticed throughout property for monitoring
