Arlington Heights to Clarify Law: No Chickens Allowed

Arlington Heights families thinking of getting a cute chick for their Easter baskets should think again.

Dogs and cats are welcomed in town, but backyard chickens will be on a list of prohibited animals once the Arlington Heights updates its municipal code.

Village staff drafted an amendment trustees will vote on at tonight’s 8 p.m. meeting.

The amendment is in response to residents asking to keep chickens in their backyard.

Arlington Heights has received two requests asking for a variance or exception _ a procedure that is spelled out in the code in the last year. Trustees rejected the requests after debating the pros and cons at length with residents.

What the amendment will do is delete the existing language allowing Arlington Heights residents to ask for a variance, creating an outright prohibition against the animals. It would apply to residential districts only since a few businesses do have “uncommon animals.”

The list of those prohibited animals includes: “pigs, cattle, goats, sheep or any other farm animals, or any chickens, geese, or ducks,” the amendment spells out.

It does not include exotic animals.

Backyard chickens have become popular and several communities, including Naperville, have allowed residents to own fowl.

Supporters say backyard chickens are a good way to teach children about local food, the eggs are healthier and chicken droppings provide good compose, according to Examiner.com.