CAMDENTON, Mo. — Life in a city, even one as small as Camdenton, is a life lived with noise. Leaf-blowers, gas mowers, weed trimmers, and cars passing by on the street add to a cacophony of greetings shouted across property lines, barking dogs, and electronics. But one sound in particular has been prohibited in 74 of 80 sets of city ordinances researched by Camdenton Mayor John McNabb, and that is the sound of roosters crowing.
McNabb observed at Camdenton’s Board of Alderman meeting on Tuesday, July 5, that roosters are regularly crowing in his neighborhood. Aldermen subsequently voted 4-2 to prohibit roosters inside the City limits, with certain provisions.
First, in light of concerns expressed by Aldermen and citizens on June 21, proposed changes were amended to allow a rooster already existing in the City at the time of the ordinance change to remain until its natural end. Second, no new rooster acquisition may exceed one per household, and that single rooster is in addition to six allowed chickens. Third, roosters not grandfathered in at the time of ordinance approval must be kept at least 400 feet from adjoining property lines even if kept for educational purposes.
Ordinance changes also provide for other animals to be kept on property where a 400-foot distance cannot be provided. Section 213.010, D. 2 of Chapter 213 reads: “Unless all animals are kept at least 400 feet from any adjoining property line, written permission shall be required from all owners and any new leaseholders of property located within one hundred (100) feet of the property lines of the property at which such animals are located. … Such written permission shall not absolve the animal owner from compliance with other provisions of City code including but not limited to section 210.035.”
Alderwoman Sandy Osborn observed an additional 300 feet from adjoining property lines makes it impossible for most Camdenton city residents to house a single rooster. She noted the increased distance is punitive in nature and amounts to a back-door prohibition on roosters.
Both Alderwomen Osborn and Gerry Rector lamented the need to further regulate noise in the city. Osborn observed that Camdenton already has in place ordinances related to nuisance, including noise. Those ordinances, she suggested, already protect citizens against undue noise nuisances.
Alderwoman Gerry Rector said, “People will make noise,” adding that unless the intent is malicious, neighbors shouldn’t be troubled by it.
After discussion, the ordinance changes passed 4-2 with Osborn and Rector voting in opposition.
