City of Hays
The city of Hays is seeking public feedback on a proposed ordinance that would allow residents to raise backyard chickens within city limits.
A community survey is now available online, and residents are encouraged to participate to guide the city commission's decision-making process.
The survey can be accessed through the city of Hays website, HaysUSA.com, or directly via this link: HERE.
Each resident can submit only one response, based on their location and device.
The proposal under consideration by the City Commission includes several limitations designed to mitigate potential concerns and maintain neighborhood quality of life.
Under the suggested guidelines, residents would be allowed to keep up to five hens, while roosters would not be permitted. Chickens would only be allowed on properties with permanent structures.
Additionally, chickens would need to be kept within a fully enclosed, secure coop, outdoor run, or other structure, which must be contained within a fenced rear or side yard.
The city does not plan to implement a registration system for backyard chickens, and enforcement of ordinance violations would be handled by the city’s community services officers. The discussion on backyard chickens in Hays was initiated by a local resident-led petition, which garnered nearly 250 verified signatures.
Following the petition, city staff researched how other Kansas cities manage backyard chickens.
Several municipalities comparable in size or larger than Hays, including Salina, Hutchinson, Derby, Newton and Garden City, allow backyard chickens with similar guidelines to those being proposed in Hays. Residents completing the survey will have an additional opportunity to submit further comments via an email provided upon submission.
The city of Hays strongly encourages residents to provide detailed feedback to assist in fully informing the commission's deliberations.
For more information or to participate in the survey, visit HaysUSA.com.