Craig Hulse informed City Council that vacant buildings comprise about 14.5% and
undeveloped land comprises about 5% of the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone.
DISCUSS BACKYARD HEN RESEARCH AND SUGGESTED ORDINANCE
AMENDMENTS.
3.
Director of Neighborhood Services Stefanie Martinez provided an update on staff's
research regarding the city's current regulations for backyard hens, regulations from
adjacent cities, and staff's proposed recommendations. Ms. Martinez informed City
Council that staff met with individuals and groups in support of updating the city's
ordinance and individuals in support of maintaining current regulations. Staff also
considered emails and social media posts/comments in support and opposition to the
ownership and keeping of backyard hens.
City's current regulations:
- Allowed on AG or R-1-S (an acre or larger properties);
- Restricted to one for every full acre thereafter;
- Must be kept at a distance greater than 50’ from any residential structure or inhabited
building;
- Must be kept within enclosures or cages at all times; and
- Must adhere to all provisions of Chapter 14, City Code of Ordinances (Animal Services)
as providing basic care, food, water and shelter.
Of the cities surveyed, Plano and Watauga require a local permit. The cities range in the
number of backyard hens with Euless allowing four and Forth Worth (one-acre or
greater), Haltom City (minimum 10,000 square foot lot) and Hurst (one-acre or greater)
allowing up to twenty (20). The cities of Colleyville, Keller, and Watauga have regulations
that require a five-foot distance from the property line. The survey revealed half of the
cities have a 50-foot distance requirement from adjacent structures; all cities, with the
exception of Bedford and Euless required a coop; and two cities have minimum lot
square footage requirements. The cities surveyed include Bedford, Colleyville, Euless,
Fort Worth, Haltom City, Hurst, Keller, Plano , Richland Hills, and Watauga.
Ms. Martinez reviewed the proposed chicken ordinance presented during citizens
presentation at the last City Council meeting.
- Allow backyard chickens;
- Require a course on Backyard Chicken Health;
- Would not support roosters as part of the ordinance;
- Allow 15 under 8,200 square foot lot; additional 15 chickens per 1/4 acre thereafter;
- Allow 20-foot distance from an occupied building on any adjacent property;
- Recommends a roosting area of 10-inches per hen;
- One nesting box for every four (4) hens;