Ferguson Township Supervisors Approve Domestic Chickens Ordinance

Ferguson Township residents will now be able to keep chickens on their properties following passage of an ordinance by the township’s Board of Supervisors last week.

Supervisors approved the ordinance, 4-0, after the ordinance was first proposed in May and underwent revisions in June following community input.

The ordinance allows for the keeping of up to six hens, and slaughtering would be permitted provided it is done indoors. Roosters are not permitted.

Structured housing for chickens must be placed no closer than 10 feet from the side or rear property lines. The minimum coop size is required to be three square feet per hen, with a maximum structure size of 144 square feet. Chickens must be confined and are not permitted to run at large on the property. The ordinance also includes regulations for sanitary requirements.

To have a chicken coop on their properties, residents would be required to pay at one-time zoning permit fee of $25 for the accessory structure, which is a typical fee for such structures in the township.