‘It disqualifies a lot of the lower income area’; Washington Terrace approves backyard chickens, some want looser restrictions

WASHINGTON TERRACE, Utah – After years of debate, chickens are now allowed in Washington Terrace backyards. The decision comes with restrictions that not everyone is pleased with.

“We tried to come up with a way to accommodate while still protecting the property rights of those who don’t want chickens,” Tom Hanson, city manager, said.

According to the new urban chicken ordinance, no roosters are allowed. Chickens must be kept at least 15 feet from the house and at least 10 feet away from the property line.

The city will allow homeowners to have three to six hens depending on lot size.

Hanson said homeowners who have chickens already will still be allowed to apply for a permit, pass an inspection and keep them where they are if they meet guidelines.

“We feel like, whether intentional or not, it disqualifies a lot of the lower income area of the terrace,” said Becky Parr, a Washington Terrace Backyard Chicken Alliance member and chicken owner.

She said her family has chickens largely for egg production. Parr said she’s able to consume her chicken’s eggs without issue, as opposed to grocery store eggs, which she said make her sick.

“After I had chemo, I developed food allergies,” Parr said. “So that was one of the other deciding factors in us getting our own chickens was so that I could enjoy eggs.”

She said many people in the group keep chickens to feed their families, but others do it as a hobby.

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Parr doesn’t consider the ordinance a win.

“There are people that I’ve talked to who just barely don’t meet the 6,000 square foot requirement, but they would be able to meet the other requirements of having it somewhere else, away from property line and things like that,” Parr said.

She would like to see the code be amended. Hanson said it’s unlikely.

“I don’t see that requirement changing on a 15 feet setback from the home,” he said. “That’s for the safety of the homeowner, the home, and to protect the environment around it. Like, if they have a heating lamp and that catches fire, that would then give a buffer to the home.”

Hanson said there’s also concern about cleanliness.

“We have quite a raccoon problem in the city, and when you have an open feed tray or an open feed environment, you then can encourage other critters to come in,” he said.

He’s hopeful people keep their lots and their coops tidy.

They have to apply for a permit and pass an inspection to have the hens around.

“If they already have chickens, you know what? No harm, no foul,” Hanson said.