Chickens will be allowed within the city of Sandwich following action June 26 by the Sandwich City Council. However, there are restrictions, required building permits (at $75 each) for hen houses and penalty fees for not following the rules.
The council voted for an ordinance that allows persons in single-family homes to have five hens, no roosters. The chicken area must be no closer than three feet to the rear lot line or 10 feet to side lot lines. If an individual is living in a subdivision with a homeowners association, that association must give the individual permission to have chickens.
Those voting for the chicken ordinance were council members Rich Robinson, Jeff O’Sullivan, Sheryl Chmielewski, Cara Killey and Bill McMahon. Voting against were Pete Dell and Les Redden.
It was noted that the ordinance becomes effective 10 days after publication. Also, the city hall needs to be advised of the permit process, and necessary forms are required for permit approval.
Several other area communities have voted to allow residents to keep a small number of chickens at their homes in recent years, including Batavia, Oswego, Naperville, Oak Park and Downers Grove.
The next Sandwich Committee-of-the-Whole meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, July 3, in the city hall annex.