STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis City Council Tuesday night approved second and final reading of updates to the city’s animal ordinance.
The biggest change in the ordinance will allow residents to keep up to six female chickens on their property.
The parcels, or tracts of land, cannot have a multifamily residence, such as a townhome or apartment. The purpose of this limitation is to ensure that chickens, either through noise, or odor, to create a nuisance for neighboring property owners.
Sturgis Council President Beka Zerbst says those wanting chickens will need to register them with the City.
The ordinance also lowers the penalty for dogs running at large.
The council also discussed proposed changes to their traffic ordinance after receiving some complaints about larger vehicles parking on Main Street, and making it difficult for thru vehicles to get by.
A proposal to have all vehicles parking along Main Street between 4th Street and Middle Street to not exceed past the end of the parking lines into the right of way was taken out of the ordinance.
Council President Zerbst says the council decided the $25 violation was an overreach.
“In my opinion, it was an overreach for us. I think there again you practice being a good neighbor and being aware of when you are on Main Street to be careful. To further study the issue, we have referred it to our infrastructure committee.”
The committee will now take up discussion on ways to improve traffic flow and parking on Main Street.
