Politics & Government

Should Golden Valley Residents Be Allowed to Keep Chickens?

A proposal would allow residents to keep up to four backyard hens on their property.

Golden Valley residents could soon have new neighbors of the feathered variety.  
A proposal before the City Council on Tuesday would allow residents to keep chickens in the city.  

Chicken owners would have to obtain a city license for their birds and could only have up to four hens. Roosters would be prohibited altogether. Butchering chickens on the property would also be banned.  

In order to obtain a license, owners would need to have a chicken coop or run. Golden Valley officials would inspect the property before issuing or renewing a license—and would have the right to inspect at any time to ensure compliance.   Residents whose chickens become nuisances could lose their licenses.  

Golden Valley started investigating whether to allow chicken in 2012 at the request of a group of residents. The residents pointed out that chicken keeping has grown in popularity in recent years and asked the city to reconsider its ordinance.  

The idea has been discussed in cities ranging from Shakopee to Stillwater.  

The Environmental Commission studied the idea at the request of the council and recommended that chicken keeping be allowed after a 4-3 vote in March.



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