Jul 27, 2016 2 min read

CECIL – Supervisors in Cecil Township are looking to change township ordinances to allow livestock such as goats and chickens to be raised as pets or sources of food on lots smaller than 10 acres.

The current zoning ordinance prohibits any livestock, including horses, cows or poultry, from being raised on any tract of land smaller than 10 acres. The proposed changes aired during a Monday hearing would allow smaller animals and fowl to be raised under certain conditions.

Small animals – any domestic animal like miniature and pygmy goats, rabbits, mice or chinchillas – could be kept in the owner’s residence or in a separate structure that is at least 10 feet away from other dwellings or property lines. The same goes for fowl, which would be kept in a coop with no more than six birds in the structure. Those with a half-acre lot can keep four small animals; 25 animals could be kept on lots between one and 10 acres. Roosters are prohibited on land with less than 10 acres, according to the draft ordinance.

“Our neighbors are very supportive. If they weren’t, they would be here speaking out against us keeping goats,” said Anna Esplen of Fawcett Church Road, as she testified to her support of updating ordinances to allow goats – such as her two Nigerian dwarf goats – to be kept on smaller lots so long as they are not a nuisance.

Some residents at the hearing, all in support; none opposed, said the proposed requirement to clean waste every week would interfere with attempts to use it for composting and gardening.

Larger animals, like cows and pigs, could be kept on tracts of land that comprise at least two acres. One animal of that type could be raised on the plot. A minimum of one acre is required to keep animals like llamas, alpacas or donkeys, and only one can be kept for every acre of land. One acre could also host up to two sheep or billy goats.

The board is set to vote on the final proposed version at its Sept. 6 meeting, according to solicitor Christopher Voltz.