The Oakley City Council instructed city staff to draft a municipal ordinance to allow backyard chickens within city limits, using the Goodland model ordinance as a template and adding local enforcement language.

Council discussion covered typical rules used by other Kansas cities: no roosters, permit requirements, minimum and maximum flock sizes, facility standards and penalties for violations. Several councilmembers said they prefer a yearly permit rather than a multi-year permit and agreed the permit should be revocable if chickens are not properly contained.

Brock said he would prepare draft ordinance language and check with Goodland’s building official about inspection standards. The council asked staff to include a facility requirement (coops/containment), an annual permit fee (the Goodland draft used $25 for two years; Oakley favoured $25 yearly), and a 10-day cure period for violations before removal.

There was no formal vote; council consensus was to return the draft at a future meeting for formal consideration.