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City of Williams
City Council Agenda
810 E Street/P.O. Box 310, Williams, CA 95987
CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025
OPEN SESSION
6:00 PM
REVISED AGENDA
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https://www.cityofwilliams.org/government/city_council/agenda_minutes/index.php#outer-211 A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
This is an opportunity for the public to speak to the Council on any item other than those listed for public hearing on this Agenda. Speakers are requested to use the podium in front of the Council and to begin by stating their name, whether they reside in Williams and the name of the organization they represent if any. The mayor may impose a time limit on any speaker depending on the number of people wanting to speak and time available for the rest of the agenda. In the event comments are related to an item scheduled on the agenda, speakers should wait to make their comments until that item is considered.
E. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. Receive letter from California Water Boards -Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
2. Receive letter from Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down.
F. CONSENT
These items are routine in nature and will be approved by a single action unless an individual Council Member or member of the public requests an item be removed from the consent calendar for special consideration.
3. Approve the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of June 18, 2025.
G. OLD BUSINESS
4. Receive Treasurers Investment Report and Monthly Register for June 2025.
5. Receive and Accept the Financial Status Report for the General Fund, Water Enterprise Fund and Sewer Enterprise Fund as of June 2025.
H. PUBLIC HEARING
6. Hold a Public Hearing, Introduce and Waive the first reading of Ordinance 271-25, an Ordinance to allow an increase in height of Duplex Homes.
7. Hold a Public Hearing, Introduce and Waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 272-25, an Ordinance Amending Delinquencies and Penalties for Business License Tax.
I. NEW BUSINESS
8. Accept the 2025 Sewer Rate Study prepared by PACE Engineering. Direct Staff to return at a future meeting with Proposition 218 noting materials for Council consideration prior to adoption of new sewer rates.
9. Accept the 2025 Water Rate Study prepared by PACE Engineering. Direct Staff to return at a future meeting with Proposition 218 noting materials for Council consideration prior to adoption of new water rates.
10. Introduce and Waive the First Reading of Ordinance 273-25, Amending Title 6 Section
6.48.010, 6.48.020 and adding Section 6.48.015 to the Williams Municipal Code.
11. Adopt Resolution 25-10 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Williams, Providing for the Censure of Council Member John J. Troughton, Jr.
J. REPORTS
1. City Attorney
City of Williams DATE: August 20, 2025
City Council ITEM: 10.
Agenda Report CATEGORY: NEW BUSINESS
SUBJECT: ALLOW CHICKENS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS BY PERMIT
BACKGROUND
The keeping of Chickens is address in section 6.48.010 and 6.48.020 of the city’s municipal code (see attached codes). 6.48.010 A states, “It is unlawful for any person to keep any chickens, geese, ducks, or turkeys within three hundred feet of a building or structure occupied, used or maintained as a dwelling.” Because of the size of the typical residential lot, it is physically impossible to have three hundred (300) feet separation from the fowl enclosure and dwellings.
A change to 6.48.020 will also be required. This section re-enforces the 300-foot requirement and a restriction not within twenty (20) feet of a building or property line. Because of some small residential lots within the city, it will be difficult to meet either of these requirements. We are proposing to change the code to allow chickens to be held in Coops no closer than 10 feet to any fence or property line.
Staff strongly encourages the retention of the requirement for fowl to be kept in a “sanitary enclosure” outlined in section 6.48.020. Additionally, the staff would strongly encourage the retention of the requirement outlined in section 6.48.010B. “It is unlawful for any person to keep any rooster over sixteen weeks old within the city.”
Section 6.48.015 outlines the permit fees. This section is completely new.
If approved, the new ordinance would read:
• 6.48.010 - Restrictions on domestic fowl.
A. It is unlawful for any person to keep any geese, ducks, or turkeys within three hundred feet of a building or structure occupied, used or maintained as a dwelling.
1. Each parcel may have up to four (4) female chickens
2. All chickens and chicken coops must be permitted
3. Chickens may not be slaughtered on premises.
4. Coops may not be closer than 10 feet to any fence or property line.
5. Chickens must be confined and properly caged in a coop at all times.
6. Chickens are prohibited from being a noise disturbance.
7. The coop must be well-maintained and clean.
8. Chicken enclosures shall be a minimum of 20 floor square feet (combination of nesting boxes and contained run space).
9. Coops must have four walls and a roof constructed of suitable material.
10.Coops may only be kept in the rear yard.
11. Nesting boxes in the coop are required.
12.Chickens must be provided with adequate food and water, along with adequate ventilation.
13. Feed must be stored properly to prevent spoilage and access to other animals and rodents.
14. Feces and feathers must be removed every 24 hours and shall be stored in an airtight container prior to disposal. Use of city issued garbage containers is acceptable.
15.Chickens shall be kept for personal use only. Selling chickens, eggs, or chicken manure, or the breeding of chickens for commercial purposes is prohibited.
16. Manure must be kept in a fly-tight bin and not to be located closer than 10 feet to any property line.
17. You will be required to submit a site plan of your property showing where the coop will be located, with the dimensions of the coop and the distances to the property lines clearly drawn.
18. The maximum height of the coop shall be six (6) feet.
19. The maximum size of the coop shall be 120 square feet.
20.If the coop is larger than 120 square feet a building permit must be obtained.
21. Prior to permit issuance, certified receipts that notices were sent to all adjacent residentially zoned adjacent properties shall be required.
22. Upon any violation, the city may revoke the corresponding permit. The issuance of any future permit may be denied following such revocation.
B. It is unlawful for any person to keep any rooster over sixteen weeks old within the city.
C. It is unlawful for any person to keep any peafowl (peacocks) or guinea fowl within the city.
D. The number of animals allowed shall be based on lot area as follows:
1. Lots with an area of one acre or more: No combination of domestic fowl to exceed thirty and combination to include no more than twenty-five chickens, or four geese, or four turkeys or ten ducks.
2. Lots with an area of one-half acre or more: No combination of domestic fowl to exceed twenty and combination to include no more than fifteen chickens, three geese, two turkeys, or six ducks.
E. The issue born of such animals which increases the total number upon the premises beyond the numbers permitted shall be removed no later than sixteen weeks from birth. • 6.48.15 – Chicken Permit and Permit Fees
A. Each property keeping chickens MUST have a permit. Chicken permits are $25 annually.
B. Chickens must be kept inside an appropriate coop that is permitted. Chicken coop permits are a one-time fee of $40.
• 6.48.020 - Enclosures for domestic fowl.
Domestic fowl shall be kept in a sanitary enclosure which shall not be located within ten (10) feet of any building or property line.
FISCAL IMPACT
Any revenue generated from permit fees will be use to offset staff time for issuing the permit, inspections and code enforcement.
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 273-25, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Williams amending Title 6 Section 6.48010, 6.48.020 and adding Section 6.48.015 to the Williams Municipal Code.
Prepared and Submitted by: Frank Kennedy, City Administrator Attached: City Ordinance Sections 6.48.010 and 6.48.020 Chickens License and Permit Application
ORDINANCE NO. 273-25
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WILLIAMS REGARDING THE KEEPING OF CHICKENS
The City Council of the City of Williams does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Purpose and Authority. The purpose of this ordinance is to repeal and replace Title 6 Section 6.48.010, 6.48.020 and add Section 6.48.015, concerning Animals and to provide for the preservation of the health and safety of persons and domestic livestock in the City, to fix the limits within which animals shall not run at large, and to provide for the regulation and licensing of chickens. This ordinance is adopted and this Title enacted pursuant to authority conferred by Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution and Government Code Section 37100.
SECTION 2. Applicability. The provisions of this Title apply to the entire incorporated territory of the City.
SECTION 3. Amendment. Title 6 Sections 6.48.010 and 6.48.020 of the Williams Municipal Code are hereby repealed and replaced to read in their entirety as follows:
• 6.48.010 - Restrictions on domestic fowl.
A. It is unlawful for any person to keep any geese, ducks, or turkeys within three hundred feet of a building or structure occupied, used or maintained as a dwelling.
1. Each parcel may have up to four (4) female chickens
2. All chickens and chicken coops must be permitted
3. Chickens may not be slaughtered on premises.
4. Coops may not be closer than 10 feet to any fence or property line.
5. Chickens must be confined and properly caged in a coop at all times.
6. Chickens are prohibited from being a noise disturbance.
7. The coop must be well-maintained and clean.
8. Chicken enclosures shall be a minimum of 20 floor square feet (combination of nesting boxes and contained run space).
9. Coops must have four walls and a roof constructed of suitable material.
10. Coops may only be kept in the rear yard.
11. Nesting boxes in the coop are required.
12. Chickens must be provided with adequate food and water, along with adequate ventilation.
13. Feed must be stored properly to prevent spoilage and access to other animals and rodents.
14. Feces and feathers must be removed every 24 hours and shall be stored in an airtight container prior to disposal. Use of city issued garbage containers is acceptable.
15. Chickens shall be kept for personal use only. Selling chickens, eggs, chicken manure, or the breeding of chickens for commercial purposes is prohibited.
16. Manure must be kept in a fly-tight bin and not to be located closer than 10 feet to any property line.
17. You will be required to submit a site plan of your property showing where the coop will be located, with the dimensions of the coop and the distances to the property lines clearly drawn.
18. The maximum height of the coop shall be six (6) feet.
19. The maximum size of the coop shall be 120 square feet.
20. If the coop is larger than 120 square feet a building permit must be obtained.
21. Prior to permit issuance, certified receipts that notices were sent to all adjacent residentially zoned adjacent properties shall be required.
22. Upon any violation, the city may revoke the corresponding permit. The issuance of any future permit may be denied following such revocation.
B. It is unlawful for any person to keep any rooster over sixteen weeks old within the city.
C. It is unlawful for any person to keep any peafowl (peacocks) or guinea fowl within the city.
D. The number of animals allowed shall be based on lot area as follows:
1. Lots with an area of one acre or more: No combination of domestic fowl to exceed thirty and combination to include no more than twenty-five chickens, or four geese, or four turkeys or ten ducks.
2. Lots with an area of one-half acre or more: No combination of domestic fowl to exceed twenty and combination to include no more than fifteen chickens, three geese, two turkeys, or six ducks.
E. The issue born of such animals which increases the total number upon the premises beyond the numbers permitted shall be removed no later than sixteen weeks from birth. • 6.48.020 - Enclosures for domestic fowl.
Domestic fowl shall be kept in a sanitary enclosure which shall not be located within ten (10) feet of any building or property line.
SECTION 4. Addition Title 6 Section 6.48.15 is hereby added to the Williams Municipal Code to read as follows:
• 6.48.15 – Chicken Permit and Permit Fees
A. Each property keeping chickens MUST have a permit. Chicken permits are $25 annually.
B. Chickens must be kept inside an appropriate coop that is permitted. Chicken coop permits are a one-time fee of $40.
• 6.48.020 - Enclosures for domestic fowl.
Domestic fowl shall be kept in a sanitary enclosure which shall not be located within ten (10) feet of any building or property line.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective thirty (30) days from and after the date of the final passage and adoption hereof.
SECTION 6. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause it or a summary of it, to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Williams.
INTRODUCED to the City Council on this 20th day of August, 2025; PASSED AND ADOPTED on this 17th day of September 2025 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
___________________________
Maria Belmontes-Leyva, MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________
Mariana Pineda, CITY CLERK