- Hellertown property owners can keep up to six fowl on their property, according to additions to the borough's domesticated bird and fowl ordinance
- Chicken, ducks, geese, swans, turkeys, pigeons, pea fowl and guinea fowl are among the allowed animals — but roosters are prohibited
- One official cited the community benefitting from these animals in a number of ways, including insect control and food sustainability
HELLERTOWN, Pa. — Hellertown Borough Council on Monday voted to advertise adjustments to its ordinance surrounding the keeping of domesticated birds and fowl as household pets.
As part of the ordinance, property owners — it would not apply to renters — with the proper annual permit can keep domesticated birds for their meat, eggs or feathers.
The animals couldn’t be used for breeding or any other commercial use, according to the ordinance.
Those birds include but are not limited to chickens, ducks, geese, swans, turkeys, pigeons, pea fowl and guinea fowl. “Fowl” won’t include ostriches and emus, and roosters are banned under the proposal.
Councilman Andrew Hughes said roosters weren’t included after discussions surrounding safety and noise concerns.
He expanded on the possibilities of the ordinance amendments.
“This is really about the … rising food costs and sustainability,” Hughes said.
He said keeping the animals also could bode well for residents' personal hobbies and insect control around one’s property.
“This is really about the … rising food costs and sustainability."Hellertown Borough Council member Andrew Hughes, on making additions to the borough's domesticated bird and fowl ordinance
The new rule revisions also limit the number of fowl on each property to six, as well as clarify coop specifications and location.
As part of the ordinance, coops and pens would be needed for any outdoor animals, and the enclosures couldn’t be placed in property front yards.
The coops would be regulated to stand at least 5 inches off the ground and not be within 50 feet of any home — excluding the property owner’s home — or within 10 feet of an alley.
If those parameters are met for a year, residents can apply to keep up to 12 birds on site.
Officials said ordinance violators could face citations and potential court action.
The current ordinance shows violations of the rules to incur a fine of no more than $1,000 “plus costs,” or 30 days in jail.
Bethlehem City Council last year discussed its own potential domesticated chicken ordinance.
