SF4547

Purpose

This bill would let counties adopt local feedlot zoning rules that allow up to 24 chickens on any lot. It adds process and reporting requirements to involve state agencies and assess economic and environmental effects before a new or amended feedlot ordinance is approved.

Main provisions

• Notification to state agencies: Counties proposing a new or updated feedlot ordinance must notify the Pollution Control Agency and the commissioner of agriculture at the start, no later than the first hearing.
• Agency review and recommendations: Before final approval, the county can share the proposed ordinance with the agencies for review and recommendations on environmental and agricultural impacts.
• Agency responses: Agencies can provide recommendations and must justify them (legal, social, economic, or scientific reasons) for each recommendation.
• Economic impact analysis: If requested by the county, the county must prepare a report on the economic effects of specific provisions, describing how the ordinance could affect the local economy and which businesses could be affected. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the commissioner of agriculture must develop a template to measure local economic effects and provide it to the county. The report, along with the proposed ordinance, must be sent to DEED and the agriculture department.
• Setbacks for new feedlots and residence proximity: If the ordinance includes a setback for new feedlots from existing residences, it must also set a residence setback from existing feedlots in agricultural zones using the same distances and conditions as for new feedlots, unless the new residence replaces an existing one. The county may grant a variance from this rule.
• Local poultry allowance: Notwithstanding existing setback rules for animal feedlots, a local ordinance may approve up to 24 chickens on any lot.

How this changes current law

• Expands local government authority: Counties are given the ability to authorize small-scale poultry (up to 24 chickens) on any lot through feedlot zoning ordinances.
• Adds state agency involvement: Requires early notification and formal review of environmental and agricultural effects by the Pollution Control Agency and the commissioner of agriculture.
• Introduces economic analysis: Requires local economic impact reporting and provides a template to measure local effects, with coordination between state departments.
• Aligns setbacks with poultry rules: Allows a chicken-friendly provision to supersede certain standard setback requirements, subject to conditions and potential variances.

Potential impacts and considerations

• Local control with safeguards: Counties gain authority to permit small backyard flocks, while state agencies review environmental and agricultural implications.
• Economic planning: Towns would assess how new poultry provisions could affect local businesses and the economy using a standardized template.
• Neighborhood and environmental considerations: Setback provisions are clarified, but allowing chickens on any lot could raise concerns about noise, odors, and other impacts, which would be addressed through the review and variance processes.
• Interaction with state rules: The bill preserves some statewide setback rules but allows local ordinances to permit up to 24 chickens despite those rules, within the stated framework.

Summary of key terms used in the bill

• feedlot zoning ordinances
• feedlots
• county board
• Pollution Control Agency
• commissioner of agriculture
• environmental effects
• agricultural effects
• economic effects / local economic effects
• economic impact report / template for measuring local economic effects
• Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
• agricultural zones
• residence setback
• setback for new feedlots
• variance
• Minnesota Rules chapter 7020
• part 4725.4450
• section 394.27 subdivision 7
• up to 24 chickens on any lot
• first hearing

Relevant Terms feedlot ordinances; feedlots; notification; environmental effects; agricultural effects; economic effects; local economic effects; economic impact report; template; DEED; Pollution Control Agency; commissioner of agriculture; agricultural zones; residence setback; setback; variance; Minnesota Rules 7020; part 4725.4450; 394.27 subdivision 7; chickens; backyard chickens; any lot