Roosters might consider a proposed amendment to Washington’s regulations regarding “farm” animals in the city as a form of discrimination.

Under proposed changes to the city’s animal regulations, a city resident could keep up to 10 “domestic female chickens on one lot, but roosters would not be allowed. The chickens could not run at large, but would have to be kept in a “suitable” chicken house or coop, which would have to be cleaned at least twice a week. Waste material from the coop must be hauled away or disposed of on-site in a manner that does not cause a bad odor and attract flies, according to the proposed amendment.

The Washington Planning Board recommends the City Council, which meets Monday, adopt the proposed changes.

Anyone keeping domestic fowl (chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks and the like) in the city would be required to obtain a permit from the city, with that permit renewed annually. Permits may be revoked if conditions of the permit and/or the zoning rules are violated.

The recommended changes would allow city residents to keep horses and other animals under specific conditions that include providing adequate housing, pens and enclosures. Horses would have to be kept at least 200 feet from the nearest residence of business. The number of horses shall not exceed one per acre with a maximum of two, according to the proposed rules.

The proposed changes also define “farm” animals and spell out other conditions and restrictions related to keeping such animals in the city. The proposed changes are the result of incidents that occurred earlier this year.

In January, the Board of Adjustment revoked a notice of violation issued to John D. Moore III that said he violated a city ordinance that prohibits the keeping of farm animals in the city. Moore was sent a notice of violation (dated Nov. 14, 2016) that informed him that the keeping and boarding of horses at 2310 N. Market St. “is unlawful and a prohibited use of your property.” The notice told Moore he could remedy the violation by relocating the horses to a property outside the city limits. John Rodman, the city’s director of community and cultural resources, signed the notice.

The city code reads: “It shall be unlawful for any person to keep at any time any type of farm animal or fowl within the city.”

Moore, Rodman and the board members agreed the city code and city ordinances are somewhat ambiguous when it comes to defining farm animals. Fuchs noted that although the city’s regulations prohibit farm animals in the city, those same regulations address the construction of barns and stables.

Board members said the city code and city ordinances need updating as soon as possible.