A committee established by the Devils Lake City Commission met Tuesday afternoon to refine potential rules that could come into effect if the commission green lights the idea of allowing chicken coops inside city limits. Devils Lake City Commissioner Jason Pierce serves on the chicken committee. Pierce says the rule suggestions are designed to be comprehensive. He says it won't simply be a case of residents picking up a permit at city hall and putting up a chicken coop in their yard. Pierce says the committee is trying to accomplish two main goals with the potential regulations. He says nearby neighbors of people wanting chickens would have to give their written approval to the idea. Pierce says the draft regulations are also meant to ensure that chickens are properly cared for. The chicken committee plans to meet at least once more before giving their final recommendations to the city commission. Three of five city commissioners would then have to vote to approve an ordinance change to allow chickens to be kept inside the Devils Lake city limits.
