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Lafayette council approves ordinance allowing up to five hens per household, sets one-year sunset and permit rules
Summary
After hours of public comment split between neighbors and supporters, the common council voted 5-3 to approve an ordinance permitting up to five hens per property (no roosters), requiring a free permit, identification of birds and a one-year sunset for review; animal-control staff described complaint-driven enforcement procedures.
LAFAYETTE — The Malawithia common council voted 5-3 to approve a city ordinance that allows residents to keep up to five hens per property, bans roosters, and imposes permitting and confinement requirements, including a one-year sunset clause for council review.
Council summary and key provisions Council members summarized the ordinance before the vote: residents may keep up to five hens, roosters are prohibited, coops and pens must be set back at least 10 feet from neighboring property lines, and a free permit will be required so the city can track locations. The ordinance includes a one-year sunset so the council may revisit the policy after initial implementation.
Why the ordinance mattered at the meeting Supporters said the rules give homeowners a regulated way to raise a modest number of hens for food and education; opponents warned of noise, sanitation, predators, pests and…
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