FARGO (KFGO) - It's been two months since Fargo City Commissioners approved backyard chickens with a new ordinance that cleared up conflicting city codes about urban chickens. It had been an issue for years.
City Auditor Steve Sprague handles permits required to keep chickens at home. He's a little surprised. So far, only 3 people have sought the $10 annual permits. Among other things, the new ordinance outlines the size, construction and location of chicken coops, limits the number of chickens per yard, and bans roosters because of their noise.
Kim Lipetzke with Fargo-Cass County Public Health led the effort to clear up Fargo's confusing chicken ordinance, working with the help of several city departments. She's not aware of any complaints about backyard chickens since the revamped ordinance took effect.
Attempts to lift chicken bans in West Fargo and Moorhead have failed in the past.