Council to wait on backyard-chicken ordinance, may present ballot question in May 2026

The Lake Jackson City Council discussed a resident request to allow residents to keep backyard chickens inside city limits and agreed to postpone a local ordinance while monitoring state legislation that could preempt local rules.

Staff said the request originated from a resident (referenced in the meeting as Mr. Terrell) asking that residents be allowed to keep four to six chickens. Council members noted the item recurs when egg prices rise and recommended waiting for the status of Texas Senate Bill 141, which council was told — by staff — was pending in committee at the time of the meeting.

Councilmembers raised practical constraints, including local sanitary restrictions and lot-size limitations that may disqualify many Lake Jackson properties from meeting state or health standards. One councilmember recommended placing the question on the May 2026 ballot so voters could decide; staff said that if a ballot proposition were approved, it would be difficult for the council to reverse without returning the question to voters.

Council also noted Angleton’s ordinance as a model and suggested careful drafting of ballot language to avoid unintended consequences such as allowing roosters. The council agreed to wait for the outcome of Senate Bill 141 and to revisit whether to place a ballot question in May 2026. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting.

Why it matters: the question determines whether property owners can keep small flocks in residential neighborhoods and how the city might regulate setback, sanitary and nuisance concerns. State action could preempt local authority.

Next steps: staff will monitor Senate Bill 141 and prepare draft language for council consideration if the council elects to proceed with a ballot measure.