The long-running discussion over whether Kearney residents should be allowed to keep backyard chickens has resurfaced, as city staff continue to receive inquiries from citizens interested in raising hens for fresh eggs.

During a Kearney Board of Aldermen meeting held Monday, May 19, the topic was again placed on the table. However, Alderman Dan Holt recommended postponing any formal action until the city’s legal team could provide additional guidance.

Kearney does not currently have an ordinance that permits the keeping of chickens in residential areas. Under Missouri state statute, poultry is classified as “livestock,” a designation that has led Kearney officials to treat backyard chickens as a zoning violation, requiring their removal when discovered.

Last year, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission began evaluating the potential for a backyard chicken ordinance but was unable to reach consensus. At its most recent meeting on May 12, the commission voted 4-2 in favor of advancing a revised proposal. The updated recommendation would allow residents to keep up to six hens on properties measuring at least 0.25 acres.

However, the conversation has not been without concern. Alderman David Lehman, who also serves as liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission, noted that commissioners debated whether a quarter-acre lot offers sufficient space. They also discussed potential nuisances—such as dogs barking at chickens—and the impact on neighbors.

“Why should the dog owner be penalized?” Lehman said, referring to concerns that dogs may react to the presence of hens. He added that the issue of required permits was also raised during the commission’s discussions.

Alderman Holt suggested that if chickens are to be considered companion animals by some residents, the city might regulate their numbers similarly to cats and dogs. Currently, Kearney permits households to keep up to four animals. Holt also questioned whether a 0.25-acre threshold was adequate and proposed exploring other options, such as a 0.5-acre minimum or a compromise of 0.33 acres.

Alderman Gerri Spencer supported the idea of finding middle ground. “What about dividing the two in the middle and going a third of an acre?” she said.

Even as city leaders debate local zoning, external regulations remain a factor. Developer Craig Porter raised a reminder that individual homeowners associations may enforce their own rules that override city policy. “Even if a city or county allows chickens, HOAs can prohibit them entirely,” Porter said.

The Board is expected to revisit the topic after legal review, with further public input anticipated at future meetings.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.