Palatine resident Joelle Kern and her children, Luke, 6, and Levi, 3, bought chickens but recently found out they were prohibited in Palatine. New rules, she said, are too restrictive. (Courtesy of Joelle Kern)
Palatine has opened the window a crack for residents who wish to keep backyard chickens.
Chickens are still prohibited in the village. But now, thanks to action taken last week by the village council, residents can apply for special use zoning approval following criteria added to the village code.
Owners must buy an annual license costing $50 the first year and $75 in following years. They also need an Illinois Department of Agriculture Livestock Premises registration.
Owners can have a maximum of six chickens, and roosters are prohibited. Requirements also include a solid 6-foot fence around the rear yard, a fenced chicken run and a coop located in the rear yard.
The coop itself must be set back 15 feet from the side and rear yards and 10 feet from any primary structure. Chickens must be confined to the coop or the run at all times.
Backyard chicken ownership is limited to single-family residential zoning.
Permission also must be obtained from abutting property owners.
Read more here.