Borough to consider zoning update for chickens, beehives

Amendment to be discussed Sept. 10

Castle Shannon is in the process of updating its zoning ordinance to allow residents to keep chickens and beehives on their property.

Borough council is scheduled to consider the ordinance at its Sept. 10 meeting.

“Our ordinance is so old it didn’t allow for farm animals,” said Paul Vietmeier, borough codes officer. “We’re trying to get up with modern times.”

Mr. Vietmeier said the portion of the zoning ordinance dealing with the keeping of chickens dates to 1972 and states it is unlawful for residents to harbor certain animals or fowl. There is no current legislation in Castle Shannon that addresses keeping beehives.

A draft of the new zoning amendment cites the growing popularity and interest in raising chickens and keeping bees in urban areas.

The draft further states there have been “several reports” gathered regarding the illegal harboring of chickens in Castle Shannon since the current zoning ordinance prohibits them.

Over the past few years, Mr. Vietmeier said he has received about three or four phone calls from people interested in having chickens on their property, and one person in the borough had beehives at one point.

Mr. Vietmeier said the proposed ordinance will make it “more friendly” to those wanting to keep bees or chickens.

The draft addresses the benefits and concerns of permitting chickens and bees on private property. The added benefit is producing local produce, but there are concerns associa t e d w i t h h a r b o r i n g chickens like the spread of disease, waste management, poultry pests, predators, smell and noise.

If council approves the zoning amendment, residents would have to submit an application to the borough zoning office for approval before any chickens or beehives would be allowed on residential property.

The keeping of two chickens would require a minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet. For every additional 1,000 square feet of property above 7,000, owners would be permitted one additional bird with a maximum of six.

Male chickens (roosters) would not be permitted. Chickens also would have to be contained within the owner’s property in a designated coop at least 10 feet from any property line and are not permitted in front yard of the property. All seed, fertilizer and animal feed would have to be stored in a rodent-proof container and housed within an enclosed structure.

Regarding keeping bees and beehives in Castle Shannon, property owners with a minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet would be permitted two beehives. For every additional 1,000 square feet, one additional beehive may be kept, up to a maximum of six.

All beekeepers must register with the state Department of Agriculture as well as the borough.

Hives must be located a minimum of 10 feet from any side or rear lot line and cannot be located in a front yard.

Beekeepers also must ensure that a convenient source of fresh water be available to bees from March through November so that bees do not congregate at swimming pools or bird baths.

The Sept. 10 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in council chambers, located in the municipal building, 3310 McRoberts Road.