Egg-laying chickens will be allowed on residential properties in Chaska beginning Sept. 1.
At its June 30 meeting, the Chaska City Council voted 3-2 to approve an ordinance to permit the construction of chicken coops and chicken runs in some backyards. Residents who secure a $100 city license will be allowed to possess up to five “non-crowing chickens,” but homeowners must also meet additional setback and maintenance requirements outlined in the ordinance.
Backyard chickens have been a topic of discussion in Chaska for about a decade. The council first hatched the idea of allowing domesticated chickens in 2015 and then revisited the plan in 2020.
The third time was apparently the charm, as council members McKayla Hatfield and Josh Benesh, along with Mayor Taylor Hubbard, voted in favor of the ordinance. Council members Jon Grau and Leah Sheveland opposed the measure.
John Prondzinski was the lone Chaska resident in attendance to speak against the plan, although several residents had previously submitted letters and emails in favor of and objecting to the idea.
Prondzinski urged the council to do “what’s really in the best interest of neighbors,” noting chicken noise and manure smells would likely annoy nearby homeowners, especially during summer months when windows are open and higher temperatures exacerbate odor problems.
The situation would have a negative impact on property values, he claimed. “It could make a difference on a sale,” he suggested.
Prondzinski objected to the proposed setback requirements in the ordinance, noting that 10 feet from a property line isn’t a sufficient buffer for a neighboring home.
“Whether you’re taking good care of the coop or not, there’s going to be some disturbance and aesthetic impact of having a chicken coop and a run that close,” he said.
Prondzinski added that few Chaska residents are aware that chickens might soon be allowed on a residential property, and the controversy might ruffle a few feathers when someone starts constructing a coop next door.
“I don’t want to see neighbors pitted against neighbors,” he said.
Several council members suggested that residents shouldn’t be concerned about the situation – the sky isn’t falling — despite the chicken hoopla.
“I don’t think a million people are going to go out and get chickens,” Sheveland said.
Benesh agreed.
“I don’t see us having a chicken problem if this were to pass,” he said. “If people want to make this lifestyle choice, that’s up to them if it’s allowed by city law.”
Hatfield said she’s lived next door to domesticated chickens in the past and never noticed issues with noise or odors.
“My lived experience is it doesn’t end up being that much of an issue,” she said. “Seems to be a chill thing that is not impactful.”
Mayor Hubbard said phone calls and emails the city has received lean heavily toward those in favor of backyard chickens.
“We’ve had a lot of community members express the desire for this,” she said. “I understand the fear, but I don’t think there are going to be hordes of people running to get a chicken permit.”
While several residents have indicated they hope to install coops so they have access to affordable eggs, Hubbard said the cost of the hobby amounts to more than just chicken scratch. A coop can run between $300 and $2,000, she estimated, while annual maintenance and feed costs can fall between $500 and $1,500.
“This is a lifestyle choice,” Hubbard noted.
City Administrator Matt Podhradsky said many of the homes in Chaska are constrained by homeowner association (HOA) rules, some of which restrict the raising of chickens. He recommended the new chicken ordinance not be implemented until Sept. 1, giving all HOAs a chance to grapple with the issue and adopt new rules if necessary.
After an hour-long discussion, the council amended the proposed ordinance to require that any coop or run be at least 20 feet from a neighboring primary residence. The council also approved a $100 fee for a two-year chicken license, plus adopted a license renewal fee of $50 for each successive two-year period. At renewal time, the homeowner’s coop and operation will be inspected again to make sure it remains in compliance with city rules.
Podhradsky said if ordinance violations related to smell and maintenance of coops and animals are reported by neighbors, the city can require corrections at any time, not just at renewal.
In his years on the council, Grau said the chicken ordinance has been the most controversial topic he’s had to deal with. And he’s learned more about chickens than he ever thought would be required as a council member.
Grau said after studying the issue, he’s remained opposed to the city’s proposed chicken population increase and wanted to give voice to the residents against the plan.
