In the last KW Messenger we ran an article on the ongoing discussion in Wanamingo. This is to clarify the status of raising chickens in the city of Kenyon.
According to the city council minutes of January 14, 2003, chickens and other farm animals were allowed in residential zoned districts until Ordinance No. 37 was adopted. The request to allow chickens has come before the city council at least three times since 2003 (2015, 2020, and 2023), but has never been passed.
The current city code Section 530 is also attached below. Farm animals are allowed in agricultural zoned districts in city limits with the limitations listed. However, there is at least one parcel in city limits that was rezoned from residential to agriculture since 2015 that has stricter limitations than those listed in Section 530 of the city code.
Taken from the City Council minutes of January 14, 2003
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance 37, Third Series:
Amending Zoning Districts that Allow Animals within the City of Kenyon
Thunhorst opened public meeting at 7:05p.m. Presently, horses, cows, and other non-domestic animals are allowed in the R-1 zones of the City. The Planning Commission gave their recommendation that this Ordinance be changed to only allow non-domestic animals in Agricultural zoned districts.
Hearing no public objections, Mayor Thunhorst closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Loftness motioned to adopt Ordinance 37, Third Series, to restrict non-domestic animals to Agricultural zoned districts. Sibley seconded motion. Adopted per roll call vote, 4-0-0.
Current Kenyon City Code
SECTION 530 – AGRICULTURAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
530.01. Agricultural operations. Subdivision 1. Existing farms. Agricultural uses in existence upon the effective date of this code are a permitted use where the operator can conduct a farming operation. However, all regulations contained in these performance standards apply to all changes of the farming operation that will cause all or part of the area to become more intensively used or more urban in character. Any structure exceeding $500 in value to be erected on a farm requires a building permit and must conform to all requirements of the building code. The council may require any farm operator to secure a conditional use permit to expand or intensify said operations in the event of the following:
a) The farm is adjacent to or within 400 feet of any dwelling unit and may be detrimental to living conditions by creating safety hazards or by emitting noise, odor, vibrations or similar nuisances.
b) The farming operations are so intensive as to constitute an industrial type use consisting of the compounding, processing and packaging of products for wholesale or retail trade.
c) Any expansion which would increase the number of animal units on the operation or increase the total agricultural acreage by ten percent or more.
Subd. 2. Animals in the A district. The keeping of animals is permitted according to the following regulations. (Amended, Ord. 37, Third Series)
a) Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals customarily kept as pets are not subject to these regulations.
b) On lots less than two acres, only dogs, cats, and other domestic animals customarily kept as pets are permitted.
c) On lots of two acres and over, the following types of animals shall be permitted at the following densities.
Animals Animal Type Per Acre
Equine (horses, mules, etc) 1.0
Cattle 1.0
Pigs, swine 2.0
Sheep, goats, or similar 5.0
Large poultry (turkeys, ducks, etc.) 25.0
Small poultry (chickens, rabbits, etc) 50.0
Subd. 3. Animal feedlots. Animal feedlots are prohibited in all zoning districts.
