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Owensboro officials open public discussion on allowing backyard hens; no vote taken
Summary
City staff outlined a draft framework to allow up to five hens in residential zones with limits: no roosters, covered coops, setbacks, permits and HOA covenants remaining enforceable. The item is for public feedback; staff created a webpage for comments.
City staff presented a proposed framework on July 15 for allowing backyard chickens in Owensboro and asked the public for feedback; no ordinance vote was taken.
The city manager (speaker name not specified in the transcript) told the commission that Owensboro's current municipal code prohibits chickens and similar animals, but that recent public comments and surveys of about 15 peer cities showed most comparable cities now allow backyard hens with regulations. Staff said they would not proceed immediately with a first reading or adoption but sought direction and community input.
The draft framework staff described would limit households to five hens, prohibit roosters, require covered and secured coops, require setbacks from neighboring houses, prohibit free-range birds in the city, and allow chickens only in residential zones for personal use (no commercial egg production). Staff proposed a nominal permit so the city would know locations in case of complaints and suggested fines for unpermitted animals.
Staff noted homeowners association covenants that prohibit animals would still apply and would not be overridden by a city ordinance. The manager said the policy approach and setback distances were informed by feedback from other cities; staff also said many cities reported few long-term problems after enactment.
City staff created an information page, owensboro.org/chickens, to summarize the draft and collect public feedback on setbacks, coop rules and other details. Commissioner A. Smith asked staff to summarize how long other cities had lived with similar rules and whether they later revised their ordinances; staff replied that most cities reported little follow-up activity after adoption but did not provide comprehensive duration data at the meeting.
No motion or official ordinance reading occurred; staff indicated they will compile public input and return to the commission with a summary and possible next steps.
