Chickens aren’t welcome in the city limits of Wamego at this time. At Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, City Manager Merl Page reviewed the ordinance establishing provisions governing the keeping of chickens within the city limits. The ordinance would allow ownership of chickens, up to 4, at a single family residence. No roosters would be allowed. The food must be kept in rodent-free containers. Ownership of chickens would be subject to annual review, and the chickens and their eggs could only be consumed by the owners.
Since a permit is required to keep chickens in the City, and would be renewable annually, there was no requirement for site plan. Page said the ordinance did not include reference to the dimensions of the space needed for the chickens or a site inspection prior to issuing the permit.
Commissioner Tom Beem made the motion to approve the ordinance, but discussion by both Commissioner Bill Ditto, who is concerned about the overall public health risk, and Mayor Cliff Baughman’s concern about the attraction of rodents, the motion went nowhere. There were 2 in favor and 2 opposed, with Commissioner Bob Morse abstaining. Commissioner Morse made a motion to revisit the issue in two weeks, which passed by a vote of 4 to 1, with Beem opposed.
