Backyard Hens, Lakewood Style!

After five years of educating and lobbying for responsible backyard hen keeping in Lakewood, City Council voted unanimously (6-0) in support of a hen ordinance at their May 2nd meeting. The ordinance will allow up to 13 permits to be granted a year until a cap of 50 permits is reached.

In November of 2014, Council passed a resolution by a narrow margin allowing for a pilot project in backyard hen ownership. Mayor Summers signed off on the pilot the following day. Since then, 11 families evenly spread out in all four wards, have successfully raised up to six hens each in their Lakewood yards. A coop tour was offered in September 2015 so Lakewood residents could experience first hand what these pilot families have accomplished. Over 100 visitors came to our pilot family yards in just a two hour period!

This newly passed hen ordinance is very specific about how responsible backyard hen ownership will work here in Lakewood. Besides a limit on yearly permits issued, here are some other important aspects of the ordinance:

- Anyone applying for a permit must have taken a backyard hen class and include a certificate or letter proving this with their permit application. A class is being offered by Hens in Lakewood and the Metroparks. It is being held at the main branch of the Lakewood Library in the multipurpose room on June 20th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. If you want hens or just want to know more about how to raise hens, sign up and RSVP for this class at lakewoodhens@gmail.com or join the Hens in Lakewood Facebook page and RSVP there. An RSVP is required.

- The coops/runs are subject to an annual inspection. They must be at least 3 feet from the side and rear property lines and 20 feet from the rear of the hen owner's home. The height of the coop/run will not exceed 6 feet. Measuring standards will follow those for sheds as described in LLO 1133.07.

- Permit holders are allowed no more than 6 hens. Roosters are not allowed.

- Permit holders will be required to renew their permit each year. All new and renewal permit applications will contain a waiver to allow a records check with the city to make sure the applicant is in compliance with all applicable codes.

- An added amendment by Mayor Summers allows him, as the Public Safety Director, to consider how many coops exist in close proximity to each other when deciding whether to issue a new permit.

The city is in the process of how and when to issue the 13 permits allowed for 2016. Permit applications have been tentatively scheduled for sometime in August. Hens in Lakewood and the city have had a positive collaborative relationship during the pilot and will continue to work together to figure out what our next right steps are. Stay tuned for more.