Homeowner Carrie McCcleintoch asks DuPage County to allow backyard chicken coop to stay

Carrie McCcleintoch, the property owner, asked a DuPage County zoning hearing officer on March 4 to recommend a conditional use that would allow her existing backyard chicken coop and run to remain about 8 feet from the interior side property line and for sections of fencing to exceed the 6 ft 6 in height limit.

McCcleintoch told the hearing that she and her husband constructed the coop in 2020, that it houses five hens ("No roosters"), and that the eggs are used by her household. She said the structure is of standard residential materials, is well maintained, does not block light and air to neighboring homes, does not raise fire or safety hazards, and does not generate additional traffic or deliveries.

"I have five," McCcleintoch said when asked how many birds she keeps. She told the officer the coop is raised on a plywood floor with roughly 1½ to 2 feet of clearance underneath and that she maintains it to control odor and noise.

A neighbor who identified herself as BDN spoke in support, saying she has lived across the street and that "the chicken coop does not bother anybody" and that the chickens are well maintained.

The officer entered three photographs submitted by the petitioner as group exhibit number two, marked March 4, 2026, and said he would make a recommendation based on the record. He explained that, if granted, the conditional-use approval may carry a time limit and would proceed to the county development committee and then to the full county board for final action.

The hearing officer closed the record in this matter and scheduled a recommendation decision for March 18 at 3:00 p.m. The petitioner was told she need not attend the recommendation meeting.