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Aurora committee delays action on backyard-chicken rule change until 2026 budget review
Summary
After a public comment in favor of backyard chickens, the committee voted 5-0 to hold further consideration of proposed changes to Chapter 9, Article 9-11, Section 9-15 pending the 2026 budget and consultation with the mayor’s office and animal control.
Aurora — The Rules Administration Procedure Committee on Sept. 2 delayed action on proposed changes to Chapter 9, Article 9-11, Section 9-15 of the municipal code related to backyard chickens, voting 5-0 to hold the item until after the city’s 2026 budget process.
The meeting included a public comment from Agustin Villagran, who urged the committee to consider allowing backyard chickens and outlined benefits such as fresh eggs, reduced food waste, natural fertilizer and pest control. "Backyard chickens can bring a number of advantages ... they provide a steady supply of fresh eggs ... their manure can be used as powerful natural fertilizer," Villagran said during his three-minute comment.
Committee members discussed operational concerns and staffing capacity if regulations were changed. One committee member expressed concern that the city’s animal-control department lacks the capacity to handle an increase in chickens and that adding new enforcement duties while the 2026 budget and staffing levels remain uncertain would be premature. Alderman Will White said he had spoken with someone who operated a small egg business and noted that compliance and enforcement questions are valid concerns.
After discussion, a motion to hold the item until 2026 and to consult with the mayor's office and the animal-control director passed unanimously. The motion was seconded on the floor and the committee recorded a 5-0 vote to postpone action.
The committee did not adopt any ordinance changes or set a specific return date; members said the item would be revisited after the budget and in consultation with the mayor’s office and animal control to determine feasibility. The transcript and committee remarks indicate the discussion focused on budget and staffing implications rather than policy specifics such as allowed flock sizes or coop specifications; the municipal code section under discussion (Chapter 9, Article 9-11, Section 9-15) was cited as the code location for existing rules governing the issue.
Implementation of any future ordinance change will require staff capacity and likely additional drafting and administrative steps; committee members asked staff to coordinate with the mayor’s office and animal-control leadership before bringing the matter back for formal consideration.
