Information on Keeping Chickens in Aurora

From the Auroragov.org website:

Chickens

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The Aurora City Council revised city ordinances on March 24, 2014, to allow up to four hens in residential backyards. The ordinance, which requires a permit before any chickens are allowed on the property, will take effect Monday, April 28, 2014. 

Questions & Answers

When can I get chickens?
Applications for a chicken permit will be accepted beginning Monday, April 28. Chickens may not be legally kept in any residential area before a permit for the property is approved.

Can anyone get chickens?
Permits will only be awarded to people living in single-family residences. If renting, signed consent from the property owner is needed before a permit will be issued. Homeowner associations (HOA) can prohibit chickens according to their bylaws. It is recommended you check with your HOA before applying for a permit.

How do I obtain a permit?

• Create a drawing of your backyard, including the fence-lines and your house. Draw where you intend to locate your chicken coop and the hen’s outdoor enclosure. Include the approximate dimensions of the coop and outdoor pen in your drawing.  Indicate the distance the coop is from the fence-lines.
• The coop must be at least 15-feet away from abutting neighbors. You must obtain written consent from any neighbor closer than 15-feet from the chicken coop. If you rent, written consent from the property owner or landlord must be obtained before a permit will be issued.
• Bring your drawing, and written consent from neighbors or landlord if required, to the permit counter in the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, 2nd floor south, room 2400.
• Pay the one-time permit fee of $40.
• A permit may be revoked for conviction in municipal court of violating city ordinances closely related to keeping chickens (animal-related ordinances, fencing ordinances, etc.). 

How many chickens can I have? Once a permit is obtained, a maximum of four (4) hens may be kept. Roosters are not allowed. Hens of other species are not allowed. (i.e. pea fowl hens, guinea fowl hens, others).

What are the requirements for a chicken coop?Hens must be provided with a covered, predator-resistant chicken coop that:

• Provides at least two square-feet of space per hen.
• Has floor space no larger than 120 square-feet in size.
• Is properly ventilated and designed to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained.
• Is located next to an enclosed fenced area that is at least six square-feet in size or larger to allow the hens outdoors during the day. The fence must adequately protect them from predators.
• Chicken coops and enclosures must be kept neat and sanitary at all times. They must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent offensive odors or excessive build up of chicken waste.
   

What are the requirements for maintaining my chickens?

• During daylight hours, the hens must have access to the chicken coop and the outdoor enclosure.
• Hens must be secured inside the coop from dusk to dawn.
• Hens must be sheltered or confined to keep them from running at large.
• Chickens must be prevented from coming into contact with wild ducks or geese or their excrement.
• Owners must maintain their chickens in accordance with city standards of humane care for animals. Sec. 14-13 Humane Care
• Chickens may not be slaughtered in residential areas.

Example of a chicken nesting box

The Aurora Animal Care Division recommends people interested in raising chickens research the topic before applying for a permit and obtaining their hens. 

Good sources of information include:  CSU extension factsheet, “Backyard Chickens”  

  

CSU Extension factsheet, “Home-Produced Chicken Eggs”

Example of a chicken coop and outdoor enclosure

 Links to information on keeping chickens:

• Chicken Keeping 101
• Chicken Diet and Nutrition
• Chicken Illness, Injury & Disease
• Raising Baby Chicks
• Chicken Keeping Resources & Products
• Chickens & Kids
• Wing Clipping

 

Links to information on chicken coops:

• Chicken Coop Designs
• Chicken Coops 101
• Choosing the Right Chicken Coop

CDC warning about salmonella cases linked to backyard chickens.
If you have questions, please contact the Animal Care Division, 303-326-8288 or animalcare@auroragov.org.

How to Work with Your HOA

Now that we've convinced the city to allow hens (woot!), many of you who live in an HOA may want to try to change the board's mind about allowing hens. Most HOAs do not, at this point, allow them. The Aurora ordinance specifically says that HOAs have the right to override the city's ordinance on this issue, meaning they can say no.

If you want hens and cannot relocate to a new area, consider if you think you have a chance with your HOA. Then do what we have done with the city: talk to someone on the Board, get the word out to your neighbors, educate people (a great place is the speeches people gave at the City Council Meeting - starting at 1:00:27), get signatures from neighbors (find out if there is a specific format the HOA would like), and then present to the HOA.

From Daisy, one of our Chicks in Aurora members: "I was on the Board of Directors for an HOA, and the best way to get support, as others have said, is to talk to your neighbors first, ask them if they'd be for or against, and ask why. Then research, and have answers at the ready for when the same questions will come up in the HOA meeting later. A presentation with color graphics and photos will always help too! It's not impossible, that's the good news. We probably changed our minds and rules nearly 50% of the time based on solid facts. But the feelings of others can be very strong, and they may be the power as well, sooo... Prepare and be considerate and armed with knowledge and a smile."

It may take a while, but it's not impossible, especially as you prevent facts: well cared-for hens and well-made coops are not eye sores (cannot be seen from the front of the house at all!), and don't harbor disease or create too much noise. As HOAs see that it isn't a problem in the rest of the city, and as you educate your neighbors and get support, the likelihood of their allowing hens will increase.

Good luck!

March 2014 Update On Chickens Permits

Update on Chickens

From Neighborhood Services in Aurora:

Many people are eager to have backyard chickens, and we want to make certain our processes are all in place to make it easy for our residents.

The ordinance to permit up to 4 chicken hens on single family properties in residential zone districts was introduced and approved by City Council on February 24th.  The ordinance is on the March 24 City Council agenda for the final reading.  Upon approval at the final reading, it will become effective on April 28, 2014. We will use the Permit Counter on the 2nd floor. A working group is being formed to accomplish the following items to assure that we have our processes in place and ready for business once the ordinance is effective.  This will include the following:

1.    Work with IT to include chickens in the AMANDA Program data

2.    Determine if this permit can be done on-line.  (On-line permit may not be ready right-away)

3.    Design permit form

4.    Train staff at Permit Counter, Animal Care and Neighborhood Support on requirements to obtain a permit

5.    Work with Communications and Neighborhood Services staff to place information about chickens on the City Web

6.    Handling of complaints

Please let us know if you have questions.  Thank you.