Harris County delays decision on allowing chicken coops in R‑1 residential lots

Harris County Commissioners opened a public hearing Feb. 3 on a proposed text amendment to Unified Development Code Section 308.03 governing chicken coops in R‑1 residential districts. Andrea, who presented the item, said the planning commission recommended removing the 2‑acre minimum lot‑size restriction and allowing coops in major subdivisions, while the board had previously discussed keeping a two‑acre minimum.

During discussion a commissioner (speaker 4) said he would prefer reducing the minimum to a half acre, arguing that “hens are not gonna create anywhere near the noise” of dogs and that animal control could address nuisance concerns. A staff member (speaker 8) clarified physical requirements, noting the coop must be located in the rear yard and “has to be 30 feet from the sides” and rear property lines.

Another commissioner (speaker 3) said the change was substantial and that he did not feel the measure had been sufficiently vetted; he asked that the item be tabled. County legal counsel reminded the board that because a hearing had been conducted by both the planning commission and the board, the board could exercise procedural options including a second reading by right or moving the item to a date certain. The board agreed to schedule a second reading of Section 308.03 for the Feb. 17 meeting; counsel said whether another public hearing would be required depends on the magnitude of any changes ahead of that session.

The county manager earlier noted related logistics for upcoming county operations, including a State Fire Marshal inspection planned for Feb. 27 and a Feb. 26 strategic session; those operational items were separate from the UDC discussion. The hearing on 308.03 will return to the board for further consideration at the Feb. 17 meeting.