Resident urges council to revisit backyard‑chicken ordinance; council tentatively schedules work session

Kristen Bartley of 1480 Meadow Lane told the City of Chaska council Monday she has spent a decade researching backyard‑chicken rules for cities and asked council to reopen Chaska’s ordinance to permit five hens, no roosters, and a 25‑foot setback from neighboring residences.

“I’m hoping to have your support with changing the current ordinance to 5 hens, no roosters, 25 feet from neighboring, adjacent residential structures,” Bartley said during the visitor presentation portion of the meeting.

Bartley described benefits she associates with backyard chickens — composting, pest control and children’s responsibility-building — and requested that homeowners‑association rules be allowed to supersede the city ordinance where applicable. Council members noted the city studied the topic previously in 2020–2021 and indicated most technical research is already available.

Council members said staff will schedule a work session so councilors and new members can review prior research, compare neighboring cities’ ordinances and consider an application fee and enforcement plan. City staff estimated that prior proposals included a permit fee intended to cover staff time and inspections; Bartley said she worried a high annual fee might discourage participation.

Mayor Hubbard confirmed that the visitor presentation places the request on the record and that a future work session will give the council a chance to revisit the issue with full background materials. No ordinance change or vote occurred at the March 17 meeting.