The City of Rochester officially reversed the permit fee increase back to the original rate. We will monitor the budget archives to ensure the lower fee remains in place for future permit cycles.
September 21, 2018
Final supporters
For reasons unknown, the City of Rochester has increased the chicken permit fee by 100%. That's correct, the fee is now DOUBLE what it was last year going from $37 to $75 with no warning to current permit holders. Dog license fees have NOT increased by that percent. Not only does this seem blatantly unfair, it seems like it’s targeting the residents of the city who are choosing to live a more "green" lifestyle by caring for backyard chickens
Backyard chickens offer many more benefits to city life than most people are aware. Besides the obvious that they supplement our groceries with fresh eggs, chickens eat bugs and weeds from the garden, are as easy to care for as any small pet, need very little space, till your garden when they scratch, and reduce a family’s garbage output by eating kitchen scraps.
For many City of Rochester residents, many years and dollars have been invested in establishing their small backyard flocks. From the investment in a predator-proof coop, to the feed and time taken to raise hens from eggs or chickens to laying age; these flocks are a labor of love.
By signing below, you are agreeing that this increase in the Chicken permit fee is unfair and should be reverted to the $37 per year fee that previously existed.
Thank you for your support.
More information about Backyard Chickens can be found in this recent article in the D&C: https://on.rocne.ws/2yuxr8e
Recent article in the D&C regarding this issue can be found here: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/20...
Updates
July 20, 2018
I have requested a formal meeting with the City Clerk to discuss the justification for this fee increase. My focus is obtaining a written explanation for why this specific category of permit was targeted for such a drastic adjustment.
Reached 100 supporters
July 20, 2018
63 Comments
If you must raise it, why not incrementally? My neighbors have a wonderful little group of chickens but money is tight and they had no warning.
The permit fee penalizes a constructive, educational, holistic activity. What is the content of the conversations that became the impetus for the raising of the permit fee? Show the facts and the numbers that are driving this. Who wanted you to raise the fee?
Given the very limited number of licenses being issued this is ridiculous - the revenue gained is minuscule and the increase may actual make some Folks stop and others not consider to start
The $37 dollars seems very high, let alone raising it to $74. It would seem a city with such a high rate of food insufficiency would encourage residents to grow their own food, rather than relegate chickens to only those that have disposable income.
This increase will lower compliance and inhibit low income people in the City from taking up this community building and enriching hobby.
Unfair
Ridiculous
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The City of Rochester officially reversed the permit fee increase back to the original rate. We will monitor the budget archives to ensure the lower fee remains in place for future permit cycles.
September 21, 2018
Final supporters
For reasons unknown, the City of Rochester has increased the chicken permit fee by 100%. That's correct, the fee is now DOUBLE what it was last year going from $37 to $75 with no warning to current permit holders. Dog license fees have NOT increased by that percent. Not only does this seem blatantly unfair, it seems like it’s targeting the residents of the city who are choosing to live a more "green" lifestyle by caring for backyard chickens
Backyard chickens offer many more benefits to city life than most people are aware. Besides the obvious that they supplement our groceries with fresh eggs, chickens eat bugs and weeds from the garden, are as easy to care for as any small pet, need very little space, till your garden when they scratch, and reduce a family’s garbage output by eating kitchen scraps.
For many City of Rochester residents, many years and dollars have been invested in establishing their small backyard flocks. From the investment in a predator-proof coop, to the feed and time taken to raise hens from eggs or chickens to laying age; these flocks are a labor of love.
By signing below, you are agreeing that this increase in the Chicken permit fee is unfair and should be reverted to the $37 per year fee that previously existed.
Thank you for your support.
More information about Backyard Chickens can be found in this recent article in the D&C: https://on.rocne.ws/2yuxr8e
Recent article in the D&C regarding this issue can be found here: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/20...
Updates
July 20, 2018
I have requested a formal meeting with the City Clerk to discuss the justification for this fee increase. My focus is obtaining a written explanation for why this specific category of permit was targeted for such a drastic adjustment.
Reached 100 supporters
July 20, 2018
63 Comments
The City of Rochester is attempting to monetize food independence among its citizens. This is sad. Even Buffalo charges 1/3 as much for backyard chicken licenses. The city should not charge at all for this.
If you must raise it, why not incrementally? My neighbors have a wonderful little group of chickens but money is tight and they had no warning.
The permit fee penalizes a constructive, educational, holistic activity. What is the content of the conversations that became the impetus for the raising of the permit fee? Show the facts and the numbers that are driving this. Who wanted you to raise the fee?
Given the very limited number of licenses being issued this is ridiculous - the revenue gained is minuscule and the increase may actual make some Folks stop and others not consider to start
The $37 dollars seems very high, let alone raising it to $74. It would seem a city with such a high rate of food insufficiency would encourage residents to grow their own food, rather than relegate chickens to only those that have disposable income.
This increase will lower compliance and inhibit low income people in the City from taking up this community building and enriching hobby.
Unfair
Ridiculous
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The City of Rochester is attempting to monetize food independence among its citizens. This is sad. Even Buffalo charges 1/3 as much for backyard chicken licenses. The city should not charge at all for this.