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Lafayette council approves one‑year pilot to allow backyard hens after heated public debate
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment, the Lafayette City Council on Tuesday approved Ordinance 2025‑30 permitting up to five hens per property with a one‑year sunset and permit requirement. Supporters cited education and food access; opponents warned of disease, predators, odor and neighborhood conflict.
The Lafayette City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025‑30 at its September meeting, allowing residents to keep up to five hens on qualifying lots with no roosters, a required free permit, identification on birds and a one‑year sunset review if passed. The ordinance sets a 10‑foot setback from property lines and requires coops and pens to be at least 20 feet from neighboring houses unless the house is the owner’s.
Council President (Madam President) summarized the ordinance’s key points before public comment, saying it would require “coops and pens must be located at least 10 feet from neighboring property lines,” and noted the one‑year sunset so the council could review the policy if adopted. She and staff described the permit as a tracking tool rather than an inspection program; enforcement would proceed on a complaint basis…
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