Council adopts ordinance allowing backyard chickens with setbacks, registration

The South Ogden City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 24-08 on Aug. 20, adding code language to allow and regulate backyard chickens under defined conditions. Staff (Lisa, S6) told the council the planning commission drafted the language after public input and that the ordinance includes setbacks, coop location rules and a permitting process handled through the city's regular fee schedule.

Lisa read the setback and coop-location requirements included in the ordinance: "Coops shall be located a minimum of 5 feet from all property lines, 10 feet from dwellings on the property, and 25 feet from dwellings on adjacent properties." Council members debated enforcement capacity and whether to delay adoption until the city could examine code enforcement funding. Several council members said the ordinance represents a compromise that preserves homeowners' rights while offering a permit-based process that enables staff to educate new registrants and enforce by complaint rather than annual inspections. The council approved the ordinance with recorded votes; at least one member opposed immediate adoption and asked for a broader enforcement work session to follow.

Staff said permitting will allow the city to provide new chicken owners with guidelines at registration and to resolve complaints if neighbors raise issues. Councilmembers asked staff to schedule an enforcement discussion in an upcoming work session to consider whether additional resources or registration follow-up would be appropriate.