North St. Paul Council Approves Pool and Chicken Keeping Rules
The North St. Paul City Council unanimously approved amendments to swimming pool and chicken keeping ordinances on September 2, 2026, after debating safety standards and neighborhood concerns. The changes aim to clarify inconsistent regulations and establish consistent safety requirements across the city.
The council voted unanimously to amend the city's chicken keeping ordinance, but not before a heated debate over how far chicken coops must be set back from property lines. Council member McKenzie initially opposed a proposed reduction from 15 feet to 5 feet, saying he wouldn't want to hear chickens "running back and forth" as a neighbor. However, McKenzie ultimately moved to amend the ordinance to keep the original 15-foot setback, which the council approved. Staff had recommended the smaller setback to make chicken keeping feasible on smaller residential lots, but council members worried the 5-foot distance would create neighbor disputes and enforcement problems.
The council also unanimously approved two separate swimming pool ordinance amendments to resolve conflicting rules in different sections of city code. One amendment covers commercial pools, while the other addresses residential pools and spas. Both amendments establish consistent standards for fencing, gates, permits, and safety features. During discussion, Council member McKenzie questioned why pools lack noise restrictions similar to the city's 10 p.m. noise ordinance for parks. The amendments ultimately set a minimum fence height of 5 feet for new pool installations in both categories, ensuring consistent safety standards across residential and commercial properties.
The council also recognized Detective Payton Fleming for his service as acting police chief during Chief Ray Rosales' absence, and proclaimed September 18 as Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day and September 17-23 as Constitution Week. Residents raised concerns during public comment about traffic violations at several intersections and questioned the city's three-year freeze on electric rate increases.
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Votes (3)
Animal Ordinance Text Amendment - Chicken Keeping
Dissent: Council member McKenzie initially expressed strong opposition to the 5ft setback and considered voting 'nay no matter what' before moving to amend the ordinance to keep the 15ft setback.
Moved by Council member McKenzie [12:15] · Seconded by Council member Nordby [12:20]
The proposed amendment aimed to revise chicken keeping regulations, including reducing the setback for coops from 15ft to 5ft from property lines, clarifying rules for residential properties, and addressing cultural slaughtering practices. Council members expressed significant concern over the reduced setback, citing potential neighbor disputes, noise, smell, and enforcement challenges, with comparisons made to other cities' stricter ordinances. While staff cited compliance with League of Minnesota recommendations and code enforcement requests for the reduction, the council ultimately decided against the 5ft setback.
Swimming Pool Ordinance Amendments (Chapter 150)
Moved by Council member McKenzie [17:55] · Seconded by Council member Nordby [17:57]
This ordinance amended Chapter 150, primarily for commercial-type pools, to ensure consistency with state statutes and other city ordinances. Key changes included new definitions, clarifying permit requirements, fence material and gate standards (including self-latching), ladder security, and additional safety requirements. The Planning Commission recommended approval. The council discussed the proposed reduction of minimum fence height from 5ft to 4ft, ultimately deciding to maintain a 5ft minimum for new installations for safety reasons.
Swimming Pool Ordinance Amendments (Chapter 154)
Moved by Council member Norby [18:09] · Seconded by Council member Mackenzie [18:10]
This ordinance amended Chapter 154, specifically for residential swimming pools and spas, aligning definitions and regulations with Chapter 150. Key areas of amendment included permit requirements, pool placement, setback from utility lines, gate and latch standards, prevention of climbable facilities, and regulations for above-ground pools. Similar to Chapter 150, the council debated the minimum fence height, ultimately agreeing to keep it at 5ft for new installations for consistency and safety. Provisions for noise, lighting, and hot tubs on decks were also added.
Notable Quotes (9)
No, it's got to be at 15 ft. I don't like that. I wouldn't I wouldn't want to be a resident listening to chickens running back and forth.
what we were told by code enforcement is because of some of the small lots by having the 15 foot setback that creates very limited spaces where coupoops or runs can even fit on a property
I have a I have I I like the old setback because I think when you're neighborly, if you're 5t off, I think that's really close to a property line myself. I don't like that idea just because then it becomes kind of tenuous between the neighbors.
There's two different sections in the code. section parts in sections 150 and then parts in section 154 that deal with swimming pools in North St. Paul. And unfortunately or not surprisingly, there's inconsistencies between those two sections.
I notice also there's no notification of time limits per day or night for noise ordinances. We normally North St. Paul's got a 10:00 noise noise ordinance for our parks. Why is there no ordinance for swimming pools when people are out at their pools or whatever and they're partying?
personally I would propose a slight amendment to this. Um and that um that amendment would be if there's no subsequent privacy fence, the fence can only be 4 feet. But if there's no other privacy fence, I think it should remain at five.
Right now I I was just double checking in section 150 for the commercial properties. We the current code says a minimum fence height of 4 feet. But we could certainly change that to five.
We we would want to make sure we were consistent. Um and and as it's currently written, so it's it the language now is that under four or five is that it has to be it just has to completely enclose the pool.
You you thinking for both? Five feet for both for for a new install? Yeah, I like five feet.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Designates the third Friday in September as P and MIA recognition day.
Guarantees the annual issuing of a proclamation by the U.S. President designating September 17th through 23rd as Constitution Week.
Amendment concerning chicken keeping regulations.
Portions amended regarding the keeping of chickens.
The specific ordinance number for the amendment to Chapter 95 regarding chicken keeping.
Amendments addressing inconsistencies and updating regulations for swimming pools.
Portions amended regarding commercial swimming pool safety requirements.
Portions amended regarding residential swimming pools and spas within the zoning code.
The specific ordinance number for the amendment to Chapter 150 regarding swimming pool safety requirements.
The specific ordinance number for the amendment to Chapter 154 regarding residential swimming pools and spas.
Community Development is working on the kickoff meeting with WSB for this update.
Finance is busy with the EDA review and approval process.
Finance is preparing for the city council's approval at the next meeting.
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Other Topics from This Document
P MIA Recognition Day Proclamation
Constitution Week Proclamation
Public Comments on Traffic and Electric Rates
City Business Action Items and Recommendations
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