SAN LEANDRO -- Chickens could soon be allowed on certain properties without a permit in San Leandro's residential neighborhoods, and beekeeping restrictions could tighten if proposed changes to the city's animal control ordinance are approved.

Under current city rules, beekeeping is allowed in residential and business districts so long as the bees are kept at least 600 feet away from any dwelling.

Keeping chickens, on the other hand, is currently forbidden, though Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli said at a meeting of the city's rules and communications committee in December that the department "regularly receives complaints regarding the inhumane treatment of chickens by residents who are not urban farmers," city records state.

Developed with input from farming experts, veterinarians and other cities, the proposed changes to the city's chicken and beekeeping policies would support urban farming in San Leandro, Spagnoli said.

If approved, the changes would allow residents to have four chickens without a permit on a yet-to-be-determined lot size, and more chickens with a special permit. Beekeeping would be limited to three hives per 6,000-square-foot lot with a permit. The proposal also includes limiting the number of animals at a household to 10, not including "household animals." Minimum distances bees and chickens are to be kept away from dwellings will also be specified, among other things.

Those wishing to weigh in on the proposed

The meeting will be held at the Senior Community Center at 13909 East 14th Street. No action on the proposal will be taken Thursday.

Ashly McGlone covers San Leandro, San Lorenzo and the Washington Township Health Care District. Contact her at 510-293-2463. Follow her at Twitter.com/AshlyReports.