Plymouth City Councilman Don Ecker raises concerns over chickens and front-yard parking

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

City Councilman Don Ecker brought two concerns before the Plymouth City Council at Monday evening's meeting, calling attention to violations of the city's livestock ordinance and ongoing issues with front-yard parking.

Ecker's first concern involves the keeping of chickens within city limits. City Ordinance 92.01, titled "Keeping Livestock is Unlawful," states that it is unlawful for any owner or person to keep cattle, sheep, swine, goats, fowl, livestock, or other like animals within the corporation boundaries of the city. When a violation is confirmed, a letter is mailed giving the owner 10 days to correct the issue. If the violation is not corrected, a fine of $200 can be assessed. If the violation continues after an additional 10 days, a fine of $500 per day can be assessed to the violator.

Ecker said he has found a couple of locations within the city where chickens and even a rooster are being kept. Police Chief John Weir corroborated the concern, saying he has seen chickens running loose on Madison and Harrison streets. Ecker added that he has seen them in his own neighborhood as well.

Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal noted a challenge in enforcement, saying he must be able to see the chickens from public view unless a neighbor permits him to access their property to observe the violation.

Ecker's second concern involves parking in front-yard setbacks, which is prohibited unless the parking is on a driveway that has received city approval. Ecker said the city needs to explore the issue further and clarify what regulations are already in place. The councilman pointed to specific problems, including instances of five or six vehicles sitting in side yards, cars parked between the sidewalk and the house on Lake Avenue, and vehicles parked in the right-of-way between the sidewalk and the street on the grass.

Ecker said he wants to address both issues this year and continue working on them going forward to make the city more appealing. Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal expressed support for addressing the concerns Ecker raised.