ANKENY, Iowa — The Ankeny City Council unanimously voted on Monday to allow residents to keep and raise hens — or female chickens — on their properties.
The decision comes after years of tossing around the idea. Some residents have expressed concern of the smell, noise and disease that comes with backyard chickens, while proponents of the idea argue chickens provide both a sustainable food source and an option of what to do with compost.
But over the past few months, the council has homed in on an ordinance siding with the proponents.
The new "city code" has specific rules that residents must follow in the event that they want to raise chickens in their backyard, and Ankeny city manager David Jones warns there are "many hurdles" one must overcome before they can get a permit to have chickens.
First, Jones advised homeowners to check their property covenants because many neighborhoods don't allow chickens, and the city's new ordinance does not overwrite those covenants.
The city of Ankeny permits residents from commercial operation, i.e., selling these chickens or their eggs. The ordinance also requires a minimum one-quarter acre of property to raise chickens.
Property owners must also apply for a permit, which costs $100 initially and $50 every year afterward.
There's a maximum of six hens allowed on residents' properties, and these chickens must be inside an enclosed fence at all times.
Jones said there are thousands of residents who have at least one-quarter of land to raise chickens, but he expects a small amount of people to apply for a permit right away when applications open on Oct. 23.
Jones told Local 5 that the city will hold those who may not keep up with the sanitation and other codes with raising chickens accountable.
Other nearby cities that allow backyard chickens include Urbandale, Johnston and Des Moines.