The Ogden City Council, in a 4-3 vote, adopted an ordinance allowing backyard chickens in Ogden’s residential neighborhoods.
“We are grateful for the incredible public involvement in this process,” Council Chair Marcia White said. “We have heard from those on both sides of the issue, had difficult conversations, and worked hard to strike a balance that meets the needs of our community.”
The new ordinance allows up to six chickens in the backyards of single-family, owner-occupied homes, with a minimum of 2,000 square feet of open area. Chickens must be contained at all times in a fully enclosed coop/chicken run.
The ordinance sets in place an annual licensing fee of $5 per chicken and requires owners to obtain a land use permit to show the location of the coop/run, a map of the backyard and distances to adjacent homes, and an inspection of land use permit compliance prior to animal licensing.
Under the new ordinance, owners are required to maintain coops in a clean and sanitary condition at least 25 feet from homes on adjacent property and five feet from property lines, the owner’s home, and any vegetation except grass. The animals should be cared for and controlled in order to prevent a public nuisance, and food should be kept secure from rodents and other wildlife, with spillage and leftover food removed daily. The new ordinance also prohibits the sale of eggs or fertilizer produced by the chickens.
Additional Information:
For additional information, please contact Ogden City Council Policy Analyst Amy Mabey, amymabey@ogdencity.com, 801-629-8153.
###