New livestock ordinance now adopted for Atlanta residents
Submitted by Casscounty2 on
By Robin Aaron
The City of Atlanta completed the second of two public hearings to discuss the city’s proposed animal ordinance and FY 2015/2016 Operating Budget Monday, Sept. 14. Those were held Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Monday Sept. 14 at the council chambers at City Hall.
At the Sept. 8 hearing and council meeting, City manager David Cockrell gave the final reading of the proposed ordinance for the council’s discussion and consideration. The proposed ordinance amends Atlanta Municipal Code, Chapter 2-Animals, Article 2.200 Livestock to prohibit livestock in areas with certain residential zoning.
It was then adopted unanimously.
The original ordinance precluded all livestock, including horses, from any district not zoned “Agriculture”.
Following discussion, Atlanta City Council asked for revisions to the ordinance that would read that livestock will still be banned unless in district zoned “Agriculture”, but as a result of Council discussion, horses will be allowed in a “Residential” district so long as there are three contiguous, fenced acres available for the horse.
Under the now adopted ordinance, chickens must be in a fenced enclosure and the enclosure must be 200 feet from any structure.
Conditions for the animals must be kept clean of odors or any unsanitary conditions. The municipal judge may revoke these privileges if satisfactory conditions are not met.
Upon passage of that ordinance, effective Sept. 8, the Police Chief Mike Dupree was cleared to begin enforcing the ordinance immediately upon adoption.
Mayor Keith Crow said he believes the council had come to a good solution regarding livestock and horses within the city that met the requests of citizens within reason and that the new ordinance will a good thing for those concerned.
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