Owning chickens and other livestock can be tricky when living in Brunswick County.
Some officials throughout Brunswick are addressing municipal chicken and livestock rules as agricultural lifestyles enter more homes and more people pour into the area. While the majority of Brunswick remains rural, bringing farm living into close quartered residential areas could bring benefits and challenges.
Grocery prices are still on an upward trend in America, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture, and many people are turning toward homestead methods to better control food consumption and health, increase self-reliance and cut costs. One way to homestead is to own chickens and livestock in your backyard.
Farms are scattered throughout the county but
not every homeowner is allowed to have poultry and livestock in their backyard. Some towns, like Shallotte and Leland, allow small-scale poultry or livestock if you meet strict minimum requirements. However, many Brunswick municipalities ban such agricultural uses within all residential areas.
Currently, chickens are allowed only in some residential areas inside the city of Boiling Spring Lakes. Southport on the other hand, does not permit any poultry or livestock at all within its city limits.
The cities of Boiling Spring Lakes and Southport are re-addressing their rules after Leland officials tightened their poultry and livestock ordinance in June. The changes in Leland stemmed from concerns about noise, public and animal health, sanitation and neighborhood impacts.
Boiling Spring Lakes consider ordinance
Boiling Spring Lakes Commissioner Justin Lovin recently requested the city consider allow chicken, ducks and other non-exotic animals within all residential districts. Lovin said allowing the animals will support property rights and food security, offset grocery costs, increase self-sufficiency, create educational opportunities, as well as reduce food waste and natural pest control.
“At the end of the day people are going to have what they want to have in their yards, especially if the fence is closed,” Lovin said.
In alignment with other municipalities permitting chickens in residential areas, Lovin said the ordinance should include property and animal count requirements, as well as maintenance requirements. A smaller property should have less hens than a larger lot, Lovin explained.
“The proposal is about responsible ownership... There’s poo runoff going on right now,” said Lovin, noting the proposal fits the rural lifestyle of the community.
Mayor Jeff Winecoff and Commissioner Todd Ausborn shared concerns about the potential need to create and fund a compliance officer position to enforce the rules.
“If we can’t even check dog houses, how are in the world are we going to check chicken houses?” Winecoff said.
The mayor said Boiling Spring Lakes residents' property tax will have to be raised if the town has to create a new staffing position to enforce chicken and chicken coop compliance. The change should not be up to the board, added Winecoff, noting the decision should be led by residents by a voter referendum.
Boiling Spring Lakes officials sent the idea to the planning board for further discussion and research.
Southport follows suit
Alderman Robert Carroll in July said he will be proposing a "backyard chicken ordinance" that will allow residents to own within the city limits.
“There are quite a few people who already have chickens in city limits, even though its against the ordinance,” Carroll said. “But, it would bring them into compliance.”
As of Aug. 17, Carroll said the ordinance is drafted and in the process of being reviewed.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick cities debate rules to allow chickens in backyards
