MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake City Council decided to defer a decision on allowing residents to raise chickens and rabbits.

At least for the foreseeable future the Moses Lake city code continues to prohibit "the keeping, permitting or harboring" of fowl, pigeons or rabbits in all residential areas but ones zoned R-4. The zones are low density, semi-rural lots typically located on the city's outer edge.

The recommendation to change the ordinance to permit urban farm animals came from the city planning commission in May following a letter from a city resident suggesting the action.

"It appears to be a bit of a fad at the moment," City Manager Joe Gavinski said of backyard animal keeping.

He told council members many regional cities have passed ordinances allowing the act, including Spokane and Wenatchee, but there is no "one size fits all" approach.

Most limit the number and sex of animals and necessitate permits, while some require residents to secure permission from neighbors before raising the animals, Gavinski claims. Many cities included a sunset clause in their ordinance to allow for a trial period.

It can be challenging for cities to enforce backyard animal keeping regulations, according to Community Development Director Gilbert Alvarado.

City Attorney Katherine Kenison said "incompatibility of uses" would likely arise between an ordinance to allow farm animals in the city and ordinances requiring dogs that kill livestock to be tagged for removal or euthanization. She claims it could be seen as overreaching by upset pet owners and might leave the city open to lawsuits.

"Just be aware that if you go down this route you may want to consider how you're going to deal with that issue," Kenison said.

Two citizens were present to give input at Tuesday's council study session.

While he couldn't speak to raising rabbits, Eric Heikell said chickens are not a nuisance in his personal experience and that of friends living in cities that permit urban farm animals. Hens make very little noise and as long as the coops are kept clean there is very little smell, he said.

"I really would encourage the council to consider allowing them because of this sustainability and food source thing that's becoming more and more of an issue even here in Moses Lake," he said. "Especially with eggs and salmonella outbreaks, more people would like to control their egg source."

Chuck Perry, who worked in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for 33 years, spoke against changing the current ordinance.

"I just think it would be a real burden on whatever organization does the enforcement work," he said. "It seems to me like you'd be opening up a can of worms that doesn't need to be opened."

Council members raised several concerns with allowing urban farm animals, including the potential health risks, sanitation issues and enforcement.

"The enforcement would just be a nightmare," said Councilman Richard Pearce. "I think you'd end up pitting neighbors against neighbors with this thing."

"I think it would be more of a headache than it's worth," Councilman Brent Reese agreed. "There's been a lot of pros and cons here, but right now I think the cons are outweighing the pros."

In the end all acknowledged that the issue should be dropped for now, although Mayor Jon Lane directed city staff to keep an eye on how backyard farm animal ordinances are working in other cities, saying the council might revisit the issue in the future.