Council narrows rooster ownership, raises maximum fine after heated public comment

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted on Sept. 11 to amend the county code to prohibit keeping more than one rooster in urban areas and to increase the maximum penalty for keeping noisy animals to $100, a change the administration placed on the council’s second-reading ordinance list.

The ordinance language in the council packet read: "amending section 4‑11(a) to prohibit the keeping of more than 1 rooster within any area of the urban county government except those zoned agricultural ... and increasing penalty amounts to not more than $100," with an effective date listed in the packet of Nov. 1, 2025.

Why it mattered at the meeting: Dozens of residents spoke during public comment, and several urged the council not to punish responsible owners. Speakers described roosters as family pets and raised concerns about enforcement, the humane disposition of birds if owners must surrender them, and equity — saying higher fines could disproportionately affect lower-income residents.

Several residents described small-flock practices and chicken breeds of different sizes. "Not all roosters are large and not all roosters crow loudly," said Kelly Wheeler, who said she keeps multiple types of small chickens and asked the council not to force responsible owners to give up pets. Sherry Murphy told the council: "Please do not penalize owners that care for their roosters responsibly."

Other speakers said the ordinance is needed to address repeated neighborhood nuisances. Supporters told the council that irresponsible owners and people engaged in cockfighting should be penalized and that current enforcement tools are limited.

Council action and vote: Council took second reading on a package of ordinances that included these animal‑keeping changes. During the roll call that followed approval of the ordinances, Councilmember Elliot Baxter and Councilmember Curtis recorded "No" votes specifically on the animal ordinance item; other members recorded votes of "Yes" and the packet indicates the item passed. The packet lists an effective date of Nov. 1, 2025 for the animal-code changes.

Officials noted enforcement and shelter capacity questions raised by speakers. Sherry Murphy questioned whether the local humane society could absorb a large number of surrendered roosters; several speakers asked staff to clarify disposition plans before enforcement begins.

What the ordinance does (as described in the packet): Prohibits keeping more than one rooster in any part of the urban county outside agricultural zones; increases maximum penalties for violations to $100; increases the penalty for keeping noisy animals to $100. The packet sets the effective date as Nov. 1, 2025.

Reaction and next steps: Several residents asked the council and staff to craft guidance that distinguishes responsible backyard owners from nuisance situations and to publish enforcement guidance and surrender/rehoming plans before the effective date. Council members did not alter the ordinance language at second reading; the council approved the ordinance on the council floor as presented.