YUMA — The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on Monday directed staff to send a proposed text amendment to the county zoning ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission that would allow residents on lots of one-half acre or smaller to keep up to six chickens and adopt related controls.

Senior planner Richard Moulia said the changes respond to a state law and would allow counties to add restrictions the statute permits. “The state passed a law stipulating that a county cannot prohibit residents of a single family detached residence on a lot that is one-half acre or less in size from keeping up to six fowl in the backyard of the property,” Moulia said. He described the ordinance language under consideration and the specific limits the statute allows counties to impose, including banning roosters, requiring enclosures, and addressing manure management.

The proposal would define “fowl” in county code as domestic chickens and add detailed permitted-use and enclosure standards, including maximum enclosure size, setback and regular manure removal. Moulia said the amendment is not intended to affect 4‑H or FFA projects.

Board members discussed enforcement and neighbor complaints. One supervisor asked who would monitor compliance; Moulia said enforcement would largely start with neighbor complaints and follow-up by zoning staff. “I would assume that the deputy zoning inspectors would go out and take a look at any issues as they're received,” he said.

Members emphasized minimizing nuisance impacts while complying with state law. After public comment and follow-up clarifications from staff about definitions and scope — including that the state statute identifies chickens specifically — the board voted to return the proposed language to the Planning and Zoning Commission to initiate the formal text‑amendment process.

If the Planning and Zoning Commission forwards a recommendation, the board warned that the ordinance language would need to return through the full amendment process; the board cannot amend the text at final hearing if it is initiated as presented.