IV. 1. Proposed Ordinance Amendment Related to Backyard Chickens
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission
Ryan Krzos, City Planner
From: PeggySue Imihy Bean
Date: July 26, 2022
Subject: Proposed Ordinance Amendment Related to Backyard Chickens
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
Staff is proposing an amendment would allow backyard chickens for institutional
buildings, change the maximum number of chickens to four universally, simplify the coop
setback and size requirements, and change the length of licenses. The ordinance
amendment would happen at the City Council level as no zoning code amendments are
required.
INFORMATION
Eisenhower Elementary has submitted a request to amend the Ordinance regarding
backyard chickens, requesting chickens to be allowed for institutional buildings. Currently,
Chapter 6 of the Hopkins City Code regarding animals states that chickens are only
allowed for residential buildings.
This Amendment also changes several aspects of the original Ordinance, including:
restrictions on the number of chickens owned based on zoning district, changing it to a
maximum of four chickens. Changing the maximum coop size to 24 square feet
regardless of zoning district. Changing the maximum chicken run size to 80 square feet
regardless of zoning district. Changing the coop and chicken run setback minimum
requirement to 10 feet, also independent of zoning district.
The Amendment simplifies license issuance; backyard chicken licenses are valid until the
license holder moves, rather than expiring after two years.
FUTURE ACTION
It is anticipated that the City Council will hold a first reading of the proposed Ordinance
on Monday, August 1.
Administration
CITY OF HOPKINS
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-1181
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE HOPKINS CITY CODE
REGARDING ANIMALS
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS
HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 6-30 of the Hopkins City Code is hereby amended to add the double-
underlined language and delete the stricken language as follows:
Sec. 6-30. Chicken licenses.
(a) Purpose. The purpose and intent of sections 6-30 through 6-32 is to permit the keeping of
chickens in certain residential areas in a manner that is clean and sanitary and unlikely to
become a nuisance or otherwise become detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare
of the community. These sections are intended to only allow hens pursuant to the
requirements contained herein and the keeping or harboring of roosters and other poultry is
expressly prohibited.
(b) License required. No person may keep, harbor, maintain, care for, or control chickens in the
city without a license issued pursuant to this section. Chicken licenses may only be issued to
persons located in requesting to keep chickens in the city's R-1 zoning districts (R-1-A, R-1-
B, R-1-C, R-1-D, R-1-E).
(c) Application for license. A person applying for a chicken license must supply the information
required on a city-provided license application, which shall include, but not necessarily be
limited to, the number of chickens to be kept, dimensions and materials of a chicken coop
and/or chicken run, a site plan showing the location of a proposed chicken coop and/or
chicken run in relation to other existing structures and lot lines, and a written plan for keeping
the premises clean and free of waste material, objectionable odors, and predators. For non-
homesteaded properties, written permission from the owner of the property must also be
submitted with any license application.
(d) License fee. A license fee may be established by the city and included in the city's fee
schedule, and said fee must be paid at the time of making application.
(e) License issuance; term. A license may be issued by the city if all requirements of the Hopkins
City Code are deemed satisfied and will remain satisfied upon the issuance of the license
under the circumstances proposed. A license shall be valid until the applicant moves. for two
years and a renewal application must be submitted by a licensee at least 30 days prior to
license expiration to ensure no lapse in licensure.
SECTION 2. Section 6-31 of the Hopkins City Code is hereby amended to add the double-
underlined language and delete the stricken language as follows:
Sec. 6-31. Proper confinement, care and maintenance of chickens.
(a) Chicken requirements. In addition to obtaining a license, all chicken owners within the city
shall adhere to the following requirements:
(1) Only hens may be may kept, harbored, maintained, cared for, or controlled in the city.
The keeping, harboring, maintaining, caring for, or controlling of roosters or any other
poultry is prohibited under all circumstances.
(2) The maximum number of chickens allowed shall comply with the information detailed
in the table below.
Maximum Number of Chickens Allowed in Residential Districts
District Number of Chickens Allowed
R-1-A & R-1-B Residential and Industrial 4 2 plus 1 additional chicken for every 4,356
square feet of lot area over 6,000 square feet
(maximum of 4).
R-1-C 3 plus 1 additional chicken for every 4,356
square feet of lot area over 12,000 square feet
(maximum of 4).
R-1-D & R-1-E 4
(3) Chickens must at all times remain confined on the premises and in a chicken coop and/or
chicken run located in the property's rear yard, as that term is defined in Hopkins City
Code, section 102-4.
(4) Chickens may not be located in any part of a dwelling, garage, or any other accessory
structure other than a chicken coop or chicken run, except that chickens under the age of
six weeks may be temporarily kept indoors for brooding purposes.
(5) Licensees must provide city staff with access to the premises at any time requested to
verify compliance with the city's chicken regulations or in response to any complaint of
a violation.
(6) The harvesting or butchering of chickens on the premises is prohibited.
(7) Selling chickens or chicken eggs on the premises is prohibited.
(8) No chickens may be kept or raised in a manner as to cause injury or annoyance to persons
or other animals on other properties in the vicinity of the premises, whether due to noise,
odor, filth, or otherwise.
(9) All grain and food stored for the use of the chickens shall be kept in rodent-proof and
leak-proof containers with tight-fitting covers.
(10) Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition,
and in good repair. Flies, rodents and objectionable odors shall be contained.
(11) Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be kept free of accumulated fecal matter and all
collected fecal material shall be bagged and properly disposed of at least once a week.
Stored fecal matter must be kept in a leak-proof container with a tight-fitting cover until
removal from the premises.
(12) Chicken feces, discarded chicken feed, and dead chickens shall not be composted.
(b) Chicken coop requirements. All chicken coops in the city shall adhere to the following
requirements:
(1) Must be constructed to adequately keep chickens in and predators out. A coop shall be
fully enclosed and wind proof with a well-ventilated roof to prevent escape by chickens
or entrance by migratory birds and rodents.
(2) Maximum size must comply with the information detailed in the table below and must
not exceed seven feet in total height.
Maximum Size of Chicken Coop
Maximum Number of Chickens Allowed Maximum Size
Two (2) Chickens Twelve (12) square feet
Three (3) Chickens Eighteen (18) square feet
Four (4) Chickens Twenty Four (24) square feet
(3) Be screened from view by a fence or landscaped buffer with a minimum height of four
feet. A fence shall require a separate permit consistent with the standards in section 102-
13. Landscaping may consist of shrubs or trees but shall provide a minimum 50 percent
opacity screen when planted.
(4) Provide adequate protection from the elements and be able to be winterized. Heaters are
strictly prohibited.
Chicken Coop Minimum Setback Requirements
District Setback from all property lines
R-1-A & R-1-B Residential and Industrial 10 Feet from a side (including corner lots) or
rear property line.
3 feet from a rear property line abutting an
alley.
R-1-C 15 Feet
R-1-D & R-1-E 20 Feet
(5) Be located in the rear yard of the premises and shall be setback at least five feet from
any on-site or adjacent residential structure or business and conform with the property
line setbacks detailed in the table below.
(6) May be made mobile, but must meet all requirements of this section at all times and must
be returned to their proper location while unattended or after sunset.
(c) Chicken run requirements. All chicken runs in the city shall adhere to the following
requirements:
(1) The maximum size must comply with the information detailed in the table below and
must not exceed seven feet in total height.
Maximum Size of Chicken Run
Maximum Number of Chickens Allowed Maximum Size
Two (2) Chickens Forty (40) square feet
Three (3) Chickens Sixty (60) square feet
Four (4) Chickens Eighty (80) square feet
(2) Must be enclosed with fencing, weather resistant/green treated wood and/or sealed with
a weather resistant product and/or woven wire materials, and may allow chickens to
contact the ground.
(3) Must have a protective overhead netting to keep the chickens separated from other
animals.
(4) A fence permit may be required pursuant to Hopkins City Code, section 102-13.
(5) Must be located in the rear yard of the premises and shall be setback at least five feet
from any on-site or adjacent residential structure or business and conform with the
property line detailed in the table below.
Chicken Run Minimum Setback Requirements
District Setback from all property lines
R-1-A & R-1-B Residential and Industrial 10 Feet from a side (including corner lots) or
rear property line.
3 feet from a rear property line abutting an
alley.
R-1-C 15 Feet
R-1-D & R-1-E 20 Feet
(6) May be made mobile, but must meet all requirements of this section at all times and must
be returned to their proper location while unattended or after sunset.
SECTION 3. In accordance with Section 3.03 of the City Charter and Minn. Stat. § 412.191,
subd. 4, due to the significant length of this Ordinance, City staff shall have the following summary
printed in the official City newspaper in lieu of the complete ordinance:
On August 16, 2022, the Hopkins City Council adopted Ordinance 2022-1181that amends Chapter
6 of the Hopkins City Code. The purpose of amending the City Code is to allow for the chickens
in all residential and institutional districts including amendments to the setbacks and license terms.
A printed copy of the ordinance is available for inspection during regular business hours at
Hopkins City Hall and is available online at the City's web site located at www.hopkinsmn.com.
SECTION 4. The effective date of this ordinance shall be the date of publication.
First Reading: August 1, 2022
Second Reading: August 16, 2022
Date of Publication: August 25, 2022
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: August 25, 2022
By: ________________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk