TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Russell Bunim, Community Development Director
1. SUBJECT
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Continued Public Hearing to consider introduction and First Reading of an ordinance amending provisions in Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) relating to the number of chickens allowed on residential properties and setback requirements; and finding of CEQA exemption. Ordinance No. 08-25. (Continued from June 10, 2025)
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2. SUMMARY
The City proposes changes to update Title 17 to amend certain provisions of the OMC to increase the number of chickens allowed on residential properties, adjust coop setback requirements from property lines to structures used for human habitation, and remove the combining limit of dogs and cats with small animals such as poultry. These amendments are proposed in order to enhance Code clarity, enforcement, and flexibility while maintaining neighborhood compatibility.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
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1. Conduct and close the Public Hearing.
2. Introduce and conduct First Reading of Ordinance No. 08-25. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code to update the number of chickens permitted on residential properties and setback requirements.
3. Find the ordinance categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3) and 15378.
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4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 3: Enhance Public Communication Strategy and Quality of Life
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
The City's current chicken keeping regulations were established to balance urban agriculture with residential land use. Based on staff interaction during Code Enforcement investigations and what has become an established popular animal keeping practice in typical single-family neighborhoods, there is a need to refresh City standards to reflect "real world" condit...
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