Bill Allowing Homeowners To Raise Fowl Moves Forward

By Nick Blumberg
Published: Monday, February 3, 2014 - 4:15pm
Updated: Tuesday, February 4, 2014 - 1:32pm

A fowl bill is moving its way through the Arizona Legislature. A Senate panel on Monday passed a measure that would make it easier for homeowners to raise chicken, quail, and other birds in their backyards.

Senate Bill 1151 prohibits any local ordinance that bans homeowners from raising fowl. It does let municipalities restrict the number of birds and whether residents can own male fowl capable of making noise. It does not affect homeowner assocations.

Chandler resident Donna Bruce spoke in favor of the bill. She is allergic to corn and soy and gets eggs from a backyard farmer whose birds are not fed those ingredients.

"I think if people want to have the freedom to raise some very healthy eggs for their family to get away from whatever issue they have, GMO, corn and soy, whatever it is, they should have that freedom," Bruce said. "And if (a) feather does blow over their fence, across the street, across the greenbelt, over the fence and into my pool, I promise I'm not going to complain."

A representative from the city of Chandler, which upheld an anti-chicken ordinance last year, said the move would preempt local decision making. The bill passed the Senate Government and Environment committee unanimously.