The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider an ordinance change that would allow backyard chickens—hens, but not roosters—and another that would allow growlers, tap beer to go. That’s a growing field in the craft beer industry, the city staff said.
The City Council approved the backyard chicken ordinance in a 5-2 vote in May. That was the first of two readings, or votes. The vote on Monday, July 11, will be the second and final reading.
If approved by Council, residents would be allowed to keep up to six female chickens, or hens, at homes in the city, possibly by August 1. Annual permits and henhouses would be required. No roosters would be allowed, and henhouses would not be allowed in front yards, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said in a memo to City Council members.
The Oak Ridge ordinance is based on an amended version of an ordinance that Knoxville adopted in 2010.
The Oak Ridge Police Department’s Division of Animal Control would issue permits for the hens, and the Oak Ridge Community Development Department would issue permits and inspect henhouses and chicken fences.
The ordinance change that would allow growlers is part of an update to the city’s beer ordinance to comply with state law, add new provisions, and modify existing ones.
Two businesses intend to sell growlers once the new ordinance is in effect, and other businesses could sell them as well, said Oak Ridge City Attorney Ken Krushenski and Senior Staff Attorney Tammy Dunn.
The ordinance change would allow businesses with proper permits to sell growlers as long as the containers are securely sealed. Growlers can be a half gallon or 64 ounces. (Learn more about growlers here and here.)
The Monday night Oak Ridge City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom at 200 South Tulane Avenue.
Read more about the backyard chicken ordinance on Page 97 of the City Council agenda here.
Read more about the beer ordinance changes on Page 87Â of the City Council agenda here.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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