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Atlanta Council revisits chicken
ordinance and approves 4.9% tax levy increase
[December 09, 2025]
The Atlanta City Council met
Dec. 2 at City Hall for a heavily attended meeting in which
residents filled the room to speak on an ongoing debate over
backyard chickens, raising enforcement concerns, personal
testimonies and policy questions.
The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Tommy Young, the council,
and city staff including Police Chief Chad Eimer, Streets
Superintendent Sarah Shaffer, and City Attorney Mark Rossi.
After approving minutes and bills, the council opened the floor for
public comment, where more than a dozen residents came forward to
advocate for changing the city’s 1970s-era ordinance banning
chickens within city limits. Their comments ranged from personal
history to food security to procedural frustrations, reflecting more
than a decade of repeated attempts to bring the issue back before
the council.
One resident began by requesting a simpler ordinance structure: “I
think it should be just a maximum of 10 chickens, period,” she said,
adding that limiting hens by the number of people in a household
would complicate enforcement and confuse both residents and police.
Another speaker emphasized the health benefits of fresh eggs and the
emotional support backyard animals can provide, saying, “Chickens
are a calming effect, no different than a fish tank or gardening.”
Several speakers described long-term efforts to get the ordinance
reviewed. Resident Holly Weder delivered a detailed timeline dating
back to 2013, noting emails to previous council members, a petition,
and multiple appearances at meetings. “Twelve years of trying for
chickens in Atlanta,” Weder said. “Please don’t ignore the plea.”
She also described negative interactions with community members who
discouraged participation in public processes. “We have several
bullies in Atlanta,” she told the council. “Who wants to be a public
servant to just get treated poorly by mean people?”
Another resident framed the matter as a basic rights issue: “Denying
people the right to feed themselves is cruel and immoral,” she said,
referencing rising taxes, utility rates and grocery costs. A man who
grew up in Atlanta said his family once relied on chickens for food
during difficult times, recalling a heated dispute in the 1970s that
led to the ban still in place today. “Give us a chance to grow our
own food and be responsible citizens,” he said.
Council discussion intensified as members considered how the
ordinance would be enforced. Alderman Jason Southerland questioned
how officers or city staff would evaluate complaints if coops were
behind fences. “If it’s underneath a locked gate and he can’t see
over the fence, what do we do?” he asked. Alderman Jason Hoffman
echoed the concern: “Who’s our chicken police? Who are we going to
use to enforce this ordinance?”
Several residents responded directly. “I’ve already had a police
officer show up at my door,” one said. “I’m assuming we already have
that force in place.” Another compared enforcement to other city
regulations: “Same with any other ordinance,” she said. “If
someone’s violating it, you check.”
One resident volunteered outright: “If we need somebody who’s going
to volunteer to be chicken police, I volunteer.”
Chief Eimer clarified that the police department does not handle
chicken-related matters in nearby Lincoln, where those
responsibilities fall to code enforcement. “We don’t deal with
that,” he said. “If someone calls, we advise them to get a hold of
the ordinance person.”
Alderman Nick Remington outlined his earlier research from other
towns. His list included a maximum of eight chickens, mandatory
covered enclosures, setbacks from property lines, annual permit
fees, and graduated fines beginning with a warning and rising to
$250. After a fifth offense, permits under his draft would be
revoked for two years. The rules prohibited roosters, slaughtering,
and free-range chickens.
Remington also noted the strong level of support in town. “You have
at least 125 signatures,” he said to the crowd, referencing the
latest petition. City Clerk Vicki Martin confirmed she had
documented a small number of opposing calls compared to the number
of supporters.
City Attorney Mark Rossi informed the council that no ordinance
language had been formally submitted in the meeting packet, meaning
the council could not legally adopt new rules that night. “Since
there wasn’t something in the packet with the language in it,” Rossi
said, “I would not suggest passing it blind without having me review
it.” He explained that the council could vote to direct him to draft
a proposed ordinance for the next meeting, where the council could
amend or adopt it.
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The mayor reminded
residents that chickens appeared on the May and June agendas
without public turnout at the time. Several residents countered
that they were unaware or unable to attend those earlier
meetings.
After extended discussion, Remington moved to reconsider the
chicken issue and bring revised language forward. The council
agreed to postpone formal action until January, allowing time
for drafting, review and clarity regarding enforcement
responsibilities.
Beyond chickens, the council addressed
several items under old business. Superintendent Sarah Shaffer
delivered a detailed report on the city water tower following a full
inspection. The structure remains stable, but inspectors recommended
applying a new internal and external clear coat to prevent
corrosion. The tower’s fall protection system also requires repair.
Shaffer said she would obtain quotes for coating and concrete
repairs around the base. She also described the tower’s cathodic
protection system, which remains functional and helps prevent
internal rust.
Police Chief Eimer reintroduced IT specialist Eric Natto under the
agenda’s citywide camera discussion. Natto gave a live demonstration
of the city’s surveillance system, showing how cameras record
high-definition video with audio, how motion-triggered pixel
detection works, and how footage can be searched, exported and
reviewed. He explained the difference between wired and wireless
connections, power over ethernet capability, and storage options
depending on motion frequency and camera count.
Council members asked questions about
installation at areas such as the ball diamond, fuel tanks and
landfill. Natto said wireless bridges could be used in areas lacking
direct internet or wiring, though bandwidth would determine
performance.
During new business, the council turned its attention to the annual
tax levy, a routine but significant component of the city’s fiscal
planning. Although the discussion was shorter than the earlier
sections, the topic carried some relevance after multiple speakers
had framed the chicken ordinance as an economic issue tied to rising
household costs.
The council also held a detailed discussion on the annual tax levy,
with City Attorney Mark Rossi explaining the legal and financial
framework that guides the decision each year. Rossi noted that
municipalities must adopt a levy so the county clerk knows how much
property tax to collect for the upcoming fiscal year.
If a city seeks an increase of 5 percent or more over the previous
year’s extension, state law requires publishing a Truth in Taxation
notice and holding a public hearing. Because most towns aim to avoid
triggering that process, Rossi said many set their increases at 4.9
percent, which maximizes revenue without adding procedural
requirements. He also cautioned against keeping levies artificially
low for extended periods, emphasizing that cities which fall behind
on revenue often struggle to catch up when expenses rise.
Rossi recommended that Atlanta follow that approach and adopt a 4.9
percent increase for the coming year, noting that while some
communities with strong tax bases can hold flat levies—such as
nearby Hopedale—Atlanta does not have the same financial cushion.
Mayor Tommy Young agreed, pointing to rising costs, inflation, and
several large expenses the city anticipates in the near future. “If
we get behind,” he said, “we’re going to be in lots of trouble
quick.”
After brief discussion, Alderman Jason Hoffman moved to approve the
levy at the recommended rate, with Alderman Amber Finchem seconding.
The measure passed unanimously by roll call, setting the city’s
property tax levy at a 4.9 percent increase over last year.
The meeting adjourned after more than two hours of discussion, with
the revised chicken ordinance expected to appear on the agenda in
January for potential action.
[Sophia Larimore]
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