Post Falls will allow chickens on smaller lots

POST FALLS - Scratch part of Post Falls' animal law.

As many as 10 chickens are now allowed on single-family lots of less than half an acre.

The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved easing its ordinance for hens. The previous law stated that no chickens were allowed on such lots.

"I'm super excited to keep a learning tool for my son," resident Brian Partington said after the meeting.

Partington, who lives on 14th Avenue, had asked the city in August to consider revising its ordinance on chickens after he had learned that he was not complying with the previous law.

Partington said his wife, Amber, grew up in a rural community and they wanted to give their 2-year-old son, Keegan, experience with chickens and responsibility. They also wanted fresh eggs for their family and an alternative way to control insects in the garden.

The family has 13 hens on its half-acre property and was granted a temporary exemption while the city considered changing the law.

Council member Ron Jacobson said he wasn't aware of any negative comments about revising the chicken law and believes having the birds can be a good learning experience for kids and provide families with fresh eggs.

"(Raising chickens in cities) is becoming more and more common," he said.

Council member Skip Hissong also supported easing the law.

"I think it's great we're finally getting some chickens in town," he said.

The new law requires setbacks for coops and fencing. It also does not allow for roosters.

A proposed law regulating beekeeping was also bantered, but the council decided to refrain from that because there haven't been many citizen complaints with bees over the years.

* In other business, the council unanimously approved a law that bans the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and prohibits youth from possessing them.

Electronic cigarettes are devices that convert liquid nicotine into a gas that is inhaled by the consumer. They come in different flavors, including chocolate, mint and strawberry.

Lora Whalen, Panhandle Health District director who made a presentation to the council earlier in the meeting, praised the board for its decision.

"They are a nicotine delivery device and minors shouldn't have access to them," she said.

Several cities, counties and states, including Coeur d'Alene, have passed similar laws recently. Whalen said Hayden is also considering such a ban.