On Monday June 20, 2011 by a vote of 7-3, the City Council approved an ordinance change that eases restrictions and eliminates some of the paperwork now faced by would-be urban homesteaders.
On Friday, June 24, Denver Environmental Health through Animal Care and Control (ACC) began issuing provisional Food Producing Animal (FPA) licenses as they are requested. The requestor will be asked to complete paperwork providing their information and information on their animal(s). A provisional license will be issued along with a written statement that (a) the rules and regulations for the FPA program have not been adopted and the fee has not yet been determined; and (b) by accepting the provisional license, the licensee agrees to either (i) comply with the rules and regulations and pay the fee when they are established; or (ii) relinquish their provisional license.
The provisional licensee will be informed that the rules and regulation, when promulgated, will further define adequate shelter and that a zoning permit may be required for such shelters. The provisional licensee will also be informed that ACC will be asking the Board of Environmental Health to approve a Public Hearing to be held in August (at the BEH meeting scheduled for August 11th) to (1) set the fee for the FPA licenses; and (2) approve Rules and Regulations that define an “adequate enclosure” for FPAs. When DEH begins issuing permits, it will be at the new Denver Animal Shelter, 1241 West Bayaud.