If it’s okay in Irvine, why not Dana Point? That’s one of the arguments the Dana Point City Council will consider Tuesday when it debates whether to allow backyard chicken houses.
Resident Nancy Weagley, according to the city staff report, researched ways to make pet chickens compatible with Dana Point’s residential neighborhoods.
Chickens as pets are growing in popularity nationally, with owners harvesting eggs and learning the personality quirks of birds that traditionally were limited to farms or commercially confined to cages.
Dana Point currently prohibits keeping livestock, poultry and bees at home.
Under discussion, among other issues, will be how many chickens, if any, would be allowed in the backyard of a home, how far from a neighbor’s property line the chicken enclosure would have to be (no free rangers) and, most likely, no roosters.
Other area communities that allow chickens, but limit the number and set other regulations, include San Diego, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, Long Beach and Oceanside.
Newport Beach requires a special chicken permit.
Beverly Hills says no.
The Dana Point City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. You can view the agenda by clicking here.
Please contact Tracy Wood directly at twood@voiceofoc.org and follow her on Twitter: twitter.com/tracyVOC.