OKC's City Council Considering Backyard Chicken Ordinance

Oklahoma City is pushing toward allowing more people to have backyard chickens.

The residential chicken debate was last heard in 2014 when City Council said no.

Right now, an Oklahoma City resident must have at least an acre of land to own chickens.

A new proposal will allow residents to own chicken without a backyard size requirement.

However there has to be a four square foot coop kept at least five feet from the side property and 30 feet from an adjacent dwelling.

“Especially last year with the pandemic, I’ve had a lot of people reaching out to me asking if we were going to reconsider allowing chickens in smaller lots in the city, because they were worried about what's going to happen with the food supply chain,” said Oklahoma City Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon,

Hamon authored the new proposal with Councilors Nikki Nice and Bradley Carter.

If passed, those resident could own six chickens depending on space.

No roosters would be allowed.

The chickens would be kept in a coop from dusk to dawn and must have space to roam.

”The existence of chickens even in fenced yard will attract predators such cats bobcats, yes we do have them in the city, skunks foxes dogs and coyotes,” said Oklahoma City resident Carol Kincade.

Kincade spoke out against the proposal on Tuesday.

The issue now goes to the planning commission before returning before the council.

Meanwhile, more municipalities are loosening restrictions.

Edmond just voted to make the property space required for backyard chickens smaller. Now, about a third of an acre is required, but the homeowner's association supersedes the city ordinance in Edmond.