We, the undersigned residents, taxpayers, and supporters of responsible urban agriculture, respectfully request that Middletown Borough review and amend its current poultry ordinance to allow residents to keep a limited amount of backyard poultry under reasonable regulations.

Purpose

The current ordinance limits many residents from responsibly keeping poultry despite the potential benefits to families and the community. We believe Middletown can adopt practical regulations that support backyard poultry ownership while addressing concerns related to sanitation, noise, animal welfare, and neighborhood compatibility.

Benefits of Backyard Poultry

Food Security and Self-Sufficiency

Backyard poultry can provide families with a reliable source of food and encourage greater household self-sufficiency. As food costs continue to rise, many households are seeking practical ways to supplement their food supply through small-scale food production.

Educational Opportunities

Caring for poultry offers valuable hands-on learning experiences in agriculture, biology, nutrition, responsibility, and environmental stewardship. Families, students, and homeschoolers benefit from direct involvement in animal care and food production.

Community Sustainability

Backyard poultry can help reduce food waste and support home gardening through composting and natural fertilization practices. These sustainable practices contribute to environmentally responsible living and local food production.

Agricultural Heritage

Allowing residents to responsibly keep poultry reflects Dauphin County's long-standing agricultural traditions and promotes awareness of local food systems and agricultural education.

Neighboring Communities Have Found Reasonable Solutions

Many nearby municipalities, including Royalton, Lower Swatara Township, Elizabethtown, Highspire, and Londonderry Township, permit poultry ownership under reasonable regulations governing flock size, sanitation, setbacks, and housing requirements.

These communities demonstrate that responsible poultry ownership can successfully coexist with residential neighborhoods while maintaining community standards and quality of life.

Proposed Guidelines

We encourage Middletown Borough to consider regulations that may include:

 • Allowing a limited amount of poultry on residential properties.

 • Requiring secure, well-maintained shelters and enclosed runs.

 • Establishing reasonable setback requirements.

 • Requiring proper feed storage to discourage pests.

 • Maintaining sanitary conditions and appropriate animal care standards.

 • Allowing inspections when legitimate health, safety, or nuisance concerns arise.

 • Implementing a permit or registration process if deemed necessary.

These measures would address legitimate community concerns while preserving residents' ability to engage in responsible backyard agriculture.

 

Our Request

We respectfully ask Middletown Borough to:

 1. Review the current poultry ordinance.

 2. Gather public input from residents.

 3. Examine successful policies used by neighboring municipalities.

 4. Develop reasonable regulations allowing backyard poultry in residential areas.

 5. Ensure fair and consistent enforcement practices.

 6. Consider current poultry owners during any transition period.

Middletown residents deserve the opportunity enjoyed by many neighboring communities to responsibly raise backyard poultry while maintaining the character, cleanliness, and safety of our neighborhoods.

We respectfully urge Borough Council to modernize the ordinance and allow responsible backyard poultry ownership in Middletown Borough.