Bill > H6108

This bill establishes comprehensive statewide regulations for keeping backyard chickens (hens) in residential areas, with detailed provisions governing their care, housing, and placement. The legislation allows homeowners to keep one hen per 800 square feet of lot area, with a maximum of 10 hens per property, and specifically prohibits roosters. The bill mandates that chickens must be kept in coops and enclosed runs that are predator-resistant, well-ventilated, and at least 20 feet from neighboring residential structures. Specific requirements include a minimum of 2 square feet of coop space per chicken, hardware cloth protection, ground-level barriers against predators, and strict sanitation standards. Hens must be confined to their coop from sunset to sunrise, fed regularly, and the primary purpose is egg production, not commercial slaughter. Importantly, the bill preserves the authority of private restrictions like deed covenants and neighborhood association bylaws, which can still prevent chicken keeping. Local municipalities are also granted the power to modify the state's baseline regulations through their own ordinances, providing flexibility for community-specific needs.