The Owensboro Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday to allow residents to keep backyard chickens within City limits, adopting an ordinance that sets strict limits and requirements.
Mayor Tom Watson and Commissioners Jeff Sanford and Bob Glenn voted in favor, while Commissioners Sharon NeSmith and Curtis Maglinger opposed.
The measure amends City code to permit up to six female chickens for personal use, while explicitly banning roosters and other fowl. Chickens must be housed only in the backyards of single-family homes in neighborhoods zoned for that use. They are prohibited at apartments, multi-family residences, businesses, or industrial properties.
The ordinance requires chickens to be kept in secure, predator-proof, and ventilated coops that are odor-free and provide at least three square feet per bird. Coops must be at least 10 feet from property lines and 40 feet from neighboring homes or businesses. Feed must be stored in rodent-proof containers, and coops must be maintained in a sanitary condition.
Residents must obtain a $25 permit from the Department of Public Works before keeping chickens. Permits can be revoked if the rules are violated, and individuals with pending code enforcement citations or liens are not eligible. The ordinance also makes clear that it does not override private deed restrictions or homeowners association covenants.
City Manager Nate Pagan said the ordinance responds to resident requests while ensuring safeguards are in place.
“This gives residents the opportunity to keep a small number of chickens for personal use, while maintaining protections for neighbors and neighborhoods,” he said.
Pagan added that feedback from other cities showed interest typically tapers off after an initial surge and that complaints are minimal.
Sanford said he was influenced by the respectful approach of residents who supported the measure, noting that he does not believe coops will become widespread.
“I really don’t think there’s going to be people with chicken coops all over town,” he said.
He pointed to Bowling Green as a comparable city where backyard chickens have not created real estate or neighborhood issues.
Glenn said many Kentucky communities already allow chickens and tied the issue to sustainability and education.
“We’ve got all these programs for sustainable agriculture throughout the community, where they take kids out to farms and say, ‘this is where your food comes from.’ From what I can see, that’s what this would do,” he said.
Neither NeSmith nor Maglinger offered comments before casting their votes. A handful of people spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting before the Board of Commissioners voted, with most of the speakers in support of the ordinance.
The ordinance was approved on its second reading and takes effect immediately.
