Published January 29 2013
At the request of some residents troubled by a noisy rooster, the City Council Monday asked staff to draft a proposal limiting ownership of them and peacocks and peahens, noted for their alarming screams.
An amendment to the land use code, a ban on roosters would be consistent with ordinances in many neighboring cities. Bellevue's code would likely continue to allow residents to own up to six hens or ducks, geese and swans of either gender.
In September, a family in Northeast Bellevue complained about a neighbor's rooster, which reportedly crowed loud enough to disturb homes several blocks away, both day and night. Code compliance officers worked with the bird's owner to prevent nighttime crowing.
The resident then asked the council to ban roosters, noting that the episode in the fall was not the first time a rooster had troubled the neighborhood. The city's code does not prohibit ownership of noisy fowl such as roosters and peafowl.
The council voted 5-2 for the staff to draft a code amendment, which would be presented to the Planning Commission and subject to a public hearing before going to the council. John Chelminiak, one of the council members who voted against the motion, noted that such proposals ruffled feathers in other cities.
Feedback: Mike Brennan, Development Services Director, 425-452-4113 or mbrennan@bellevuewa.gov; Lori Riordan, City Attorney, 425-452-7220 or lriordan@bellevuewa.gov