Fayette building inspector Jason Hampton agreed with two couples who discussed ongoing animal nuisance issues in their neighborhood during the city council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, July 14.

At issue were noise and odors stemming from nearby yards housing livestock.

“I think our city lacks reasonable ordinances governing livestock and poultry in residential areas,” Aimee Sage told the council. She and her husband, Rick, and fellow neighborhood residents Gary and Paulette Tucker described foul odors and noises from nearby properties in town.

Mrs. Sage cited issues with city codes that do not prohibit roosters and goats in residential neighborhoods.

“We’ve had goats in our neighboring properties for the past couple of years, and this year there was an addition of a calf,” she said. “We have a cow living next door to us at 306 North Cleveland Street.”

Mrs. Sage said she wasn’t asking the council to ban backyard chickens, but rather to consider adopting “reasonable regulations” such as limiting the number of hens, prohibiting roosters, restricting larger livestock in residential areas, and establishing clear standards that balance the rights of animal owners with the rights of their neighbors.

Mr. Tucker said that between two neighboring properties there was at one time 10 to 12 goats. He agreed to serve on a new city committee regarding animal control. “We want better regulations and them being enforced. And inspections. Not waiting for somebody to call two or three times. It needs to be enforced and regulated,” he said.

Mr. Hampton explained that the current codes allow for goats but not cows, pigs, and other farm animals. During his regular report to the council later during Tuesday’s meeting, he noted his agreement with the complaints lodged. “I think we need to have better ordinances to at least limit people. Maybe no roosters.”

He said he gets around 15 calls a week regarding this type of animal nuisance from various areas around town. “If they’ve got bedding and they’re in their cages when I get there, that’s all I can do.”

The Board of Aldermen meets regularly at 6 p.m. in City Hall on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. Meetings are open, agendas are published in advance, and the public is invited.