The keeping of backyard chickens as pets or for egg production is becoming increasingly popular in many states including Kentucky. Unfortunately, not every city allows chickens to be kept on residential properties. You may not have issues keeping chickens in an area zoned agricultural. However, there are restrictions in place when it comes to keeping chickens in residential or urban areas. So in Kentucky, whether or not you can have backyard chickens depends on where you live.
Then again, there are HOA laws and regulations in Kentucky which prohibit backyard chickens. This means you may not be able to own chickens if you reside in a HOA community within Kentucky. If you are considering raising chickens in your backyard, you need to make sure they are allowed where you live. You can do so by contacting your city clerk's office or local animal control office. In the meantime, check out these ten Kentucky municipalities wherein the keeping of backyard chickens is legal.
1. Louisville, KY
It's legal to have backyard chickens in Louisville, KY, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Animal Ordinance. On a property of less than 0.5 acres, you may keep no more than 5 chickens, of which one may be a rooster. On properties of 0.5 acres or more, the number of chickens you can have isn't restricted. Nevertheless, you need to make sure you know your limit. You must keep your chickens in a structure of sufficient height to prevent the birds from leaving your property, thereby becoming a public nuisance.
2. Lexington, KY
Residents of Lexington, KY are allowed to have backyard chickens within city limits. The city code does not restrict the number of chickens you can own. However, it does prohibit noisy animals including roosters. The Lexington-Fayette's ordinances also require that chickens be kept humanely and responsibly. That means you must keep your chicken enclosure clean at all times. In addition, you must not allow your birds to go beyond your property.
3. Bowling Green, KY
Bowling Green residents are allowed to have backyard chickens, subject to certain restrictions. A maximum of 5 chickens is allowed per property, according to the city's animal and fowl ordinance. Within the City limits, the keeping of roosters and peafowl aren't allowed. You must keep your hens in an enclosure so secure as to prevent them from leaving your property. The ordinance requires that all gates or doors to the enclosure be fit properly and locked or secured by a latch.
4. Covington, KY
In Covington, KY, you can keep female chickens in your backyard for non-commercial purposes, subject to certain restrictions. On a lot smaller than one-half acre, you can't keep more than 8 hens. The hens must be kept in a housing structure that is covered, predator-proof, thoroughly ventilated, and odor-free. Additionally, the structure must be of sufficient size to admit free movement of each hen. Specifically, the housing structure must provide at least 3 square feet of space per hen. Furthermore, the city code requires all henhouses to be kept at all times in a clean and sanitary condition, free from obnoxious odors.
5. Elizabethtown, KY
Under certain conditions, you can have backyard chickens in the city of Elizabethtown, KY. According to the city's municipal code, your chickens must not become a public nuisance. Additionally, your chickens must not make unreasonable noise, which becomes a disturbance to your neighbors. Technically, the city code prohibits the keeping of roosters. You must also clean your chicken enclosure regularly to prevent it from emitting offensive odors.
6. Nicholasville, KY
Within the city of Nicholasville, KY, the keeping of backyard chickens is legal. However, you must prevent your chickens from going at large, thereby becoming a public nuisance. The city code specifically requires that chickens be kept in a secure enclosure so as not to permit them to trespass upon another person's property. The keeping of chickens in such a manner as to become offensive to your neighbors is also prohibited.
7. Independence, KY
Backyard chickens may be harbored in the City of Independence, KY, subject to certain restrictions. First of all, you must first apply for and obtain a permit from the City if your property is less than 1 acre. According to the permit application page, a maximum of six female chickens is permitted. Chicken enclosures must be kept in a sanitary condition and be located at least 25 feet from any property line and no closer than 4 feet to your residence. Additionally, chicken enclosures must be predator-proof and designed to prevent the birds from leaving your property.
8. Frankfort, KY
In 2022, the Frankfort Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance allowing urban backyard chickens. The ordinance requires residents interested in keeping chickens to obtain a permit. The permit allows you to have a maximum of 6 chickens, all of which must be females. The hens must be kept in a
chicken coop, tractor, or run with a roof, that is enclosed on all sides. Such enclosures must have adequate ventilation and be so secure as to prevent the hens from leaving your property. Furthermore, all chicken enclosures must be located in the backyard and be at least 25 feet from the nearest residence, excluding yours. The breeding or slaughtering of backyard chickens is prohibited in Frankfort, KY.
9. Erlanger, KY
The keeping of backyard chickens for noncommercial purposes is allowed in any residential zone in the city of Erlanger, KY. The city code allows up to six chickens to be kept in a backyard. However, enclosures for chickens must not be situated within 50 feet of any neighboring dwelling house. It is illegal to raise a rooster in the city of Erlanger. It is also illegal to let your hens run at large or to keep their enclosure in an unclean or unsanitary condition.
10. Winchester, KY
In Winchester, KY, backyard chickens are allowed to be kept under certain conditions. According to the city's fowl ordinance, you must keep only female chickens. Hens are required to be kept in a confined space. This confined space must be kept clean and sanitary.
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