La Plata, MD – Let there be chickens and goats.
An ordinance passed by the Town of La Plata Tuesday, Aug. 23 will allow residents to have chickens and goats with a permit from the municipality.
The news was greeted enthusiastically by Cathy Cox who told the town council she had heard of the proposed ordinance and wanted to go on the record as being in favor of it.
“I would really like to try to have a few hens in my yard,” the Wicomico Street resident told the council.
“I’ve heard a few concerns about this or that,” she said. “If things go really wrong, the Amish are just down the road.
“Goats are very useful,” Cox added. “If you have poison ivy, they will clear it out.
“We would like to think of it as something happy happening on Wicomico Street,” she said.
“This came about from a resident’s request to allow for goats to be maintained for landscaping purposes and allow for backyard chickens,” Town Manager Daniel Mears told the council.
Councilmember Joe Norris moved to adopt the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilmember Lynn Gilroy.
The measure passed unanimously.
“My mother has been after this for years,” Councilmember Wayne Winkler said.
“There are some conditions,” Mears added. “Chicken coops have to be 50 feet from any residence. And a permit is required.”
“Don’t go out and get your chickens tonight,” Gilroy quipped. “Don’t count them yet.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com