By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners will revisit the proposal to allow chickens in the city limits during their work session on Thursday.
At the March 27 meeting, resident Tina Sarver addressed the commission about the possibility of changing the city’s ordinance to allow backyard chickens.
Staff presented a series of recommendations for a potential policy to allow urban chicken farming at the May 15 work session.
The key points are
• Maximum of 5 hens. No roosters
• Allowed in any zoning district if the property has a primary structure
• Chickens must be contained within a fenced-in rear or side-yard and must be kept in a coop, run or other confined structure at all times
• Coops, runs, etc. would be treated like any other accessory structure and would have to adhere to applicable planning and development regulations • No registration system
• Complaint driven structure with enforcement handled by Hays community service officers. Violations would be processed through Municipal Court
An online public opinion survey ran for 10 days. There were almost 1,900 respondents, and results indicated 58% supported the initiative, with 40% opposed and 2% no opinion. The city also received 94 written correspondences, with 77% supportive of the policy.
Overland Park, Prairie Village, Salina, El Dorado, WaKeeney, Pratt and Goodland are among the Kansas cities that allow chickens.
The commission has also requested a presentation about the future financial sustainability of amenities in the city parks from Jeff Boyle, director of parks. The information will be used for future budget years.
The commission will also review a draft of the 2026 budget.
The total valuation is up 2.5% compared to last year. The mill levy has been held at 25 mills for the 17th consecutive year. The proposed budget recommends exceeding the revenue-neutral rate of 24.382 mills.
The complete July 17 agenda is available here. The work session begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.