CHICKENS IN CONCORD!
The Concord zoning code for raising chickens on urban residential lots has been eased in a 21 month pilot program that was passed by the city council in December 2011.
CCOG testified at the hearing and would like to thank all of the city councilors who voted to pass the amendment to the zoning code. We plan on helping to educate the citizens of Concord who are interested in raising a small flock of chickens in their backyard.If you are dreaming about raising a flock of chickens in Concord, here are the general guidelines for working within the code…
- Single family residences only.
- Lot size may be less than 1 acre.
- The chicken coop must be at least 30 feet from each lot line.
- Coop must be located in side or back yard. Coop cannot be in front yard.
- You can have no more than 5 female chickens.
- No roosters are allowed.
- Chickens cannot be free ranging.
- You cannot sell the eggs or the meat. On site slaughtering is prohibited.
- Chicken manure must be covered by a fully enclosed structure or container. No composting or fertilizing must be removed from property.
Download: 2860 Article 28-5-50 Keeping of Chickens
We are encouraging everyone who is planning on raising a flock of chickens to read and follow the new code. Be respectful of your neighbors and keep your coop very clean and odor free. We would like to see the pilot program become permanent.
We will be posting more resources about building coops and raising chickens soon so stay tuned!
Concord Monitor Article: Chickens can Flock to the City by Ben Leubsdorf
Just curious as to how they came up with the odd number 5 for the limit of hens.
(especially when NH is now forcing the purchase of no less than one dozen.)
We have no idea why they are limiting it to five. We are looking into combining orders of chicks or finding sources for purchasing pullets. Will keep you posted on our progress!