Staff writer
Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke addressed several city ordinances this week about which he feels local residents might be unaware.
“We have had some residents express an interest in raising chickens in the city limits,” Burke said. “It is legal for a person in Peabody to have 12 or fewer chickens, but by city ordinance, no one living within the city limits can have a rooster. It’s a noise issue.”
Burke also noted two other ordinances that property owners need to know about.
“I see many violations of these regulations when I drive around the community,” he said. “All tree branches hanging over a city sidewalk must be at least eight feet above the sidewalk. Tree branches hanging over city streets must be at least 16 feet above the street.”
The ordinances are to ensure pedestrians and vehicles have room to pass beneath branches, he said. Owners are responsible for keeping trees in compliance with the ordinance. If they don’t, the city can have it done and bill the owner for the work.
Individuals with questions or concerns about the content of city ordinances can contact the city office at (620) 983-2174 for information.