A neighborhood campaign · Chesterfield, Missouri
Six hens.
No roosters.
Good neighbors.
We're Chesterfield residents asking City Council to let families on ordinary residential lots keep a small, well-kept backyard flock — the way many St. Louis-area towns already do.
Where things stand
Most Chesterfield yards can't have a single hen today.
Under current city rules, residents on lots smaller than two acres aren't allowed to keep chickens. That rules out nearly every subdivision in town.
City Council's Planning & Public Works Committee looked at backyard chickens in early 2023 — staff even reviewed other cities' ordinances — but the rules were left as they were.
Chesterfield's own 2023 staff report listed Brentwood, Creve Coeur, University City, Ladue and Ellisville as neighboring cities that allow chickens on lots under two acres. Clayton, Crestwood, Webster Groves and Maplewood do too. We think Chesterfield can do the same, thoughtfully.
Why hens
A few hens are a small thing that does a lot of good.
Fresh eggs at home
Know exactly where your food comes from and how it was raised — right in your own back yard.
Greener gardens
Hens turn kitchen scraps into compost and eat garden pests, so there's less waste and less need for sprays.
Kids learn by doing
Daily chores, real responsibility, and a hands-on lesson in where food comes from.
Quiet, tidy neighbors
Without roosters, a small flock in a clean coop is quieter than many family dogs — and stays in its own yard.
Our proposal
Sensible rules that protect every neighbor.
We're asking Council to have city staff and the City Attorney draft an amendment to Chesterfield's chicken ordinance that includes:
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6
Up to six hens
A small flock for personal use on residential lots — not a farm.
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0
No roosters, ever
Hens don't crow. No early-morning wake-up calls for anyone.
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Containment and coop placement
Secure, enclosed coops with reasonable placement standards that protect neighbors.
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Sanitation and feed storage
Clean coops and feed kept in sealed containers, so there's no odor and nothing to draw pests.
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A clear complaint process
A defined way to investigate complaints and correct violations, so owners are held responsible.
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For eggs, not business
Hens and eggs for the household — no commercial operations in neighborhoods.
How nearby cities do it
Our neighbors already have workable rules.
St. Louis County lets residents of unincorporated areas keep chickens as pets and holds owners responsible for nuisances. Clayton, Ladue and Creve Coeur allow hens on residential lots with limits. Town and Country and Ballwin tie chickens to larger acreage.
| City | Hen limit | Main requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 10 domestic fowl | $50 permit, three-year term, inspection. No roosters or crowing hens. Rear-yard coop with setbacks, predator protection and screening. No commercial use. (§210.260) |
| Ladue | 2 to 6, by green space | $75 permit, renewed every three years. 2 hens at 4,000 sq. ft. of green space, up to 6 at 12,000+. No roosters or crowing hens. Rear-yard shelter, screening, 50 ft. from neighboring structures. (From the city's permit application.) |
| Creve Coeur | 8 to 12 hens | Minimum 7,500 sq. ft. lot. Eight hens, plus one per additional 2,500 sq. ft., up to 12. No roosters. Rear-yard coop at least 10 ft. from the house. No permit required. (§205.035) |
| Town and Country | 4 or 6 hens | Conditional use approval; two-acre minimum. 4 hens on 2–3 acres, 6 on more than 3. No roosters. (§205.120, amended Oct. 2025) |
| Ballwin | Two-acre rule reported | A city draft shows an enclosed-area requirement on tracts of at least 2 acres. Not yet confirmed against the current official code. (§5-1) |
| Chesterfield — our ask | Up to 6 hens | No roosters. Containment, sanitation, feed storage and coop placement standards, with a clear process for complaints. |
More St. Louis County cities that allow hens
Each of these lets residents keep a small flock on ordinary residential lots. Roosters are generally prohibited.
- CrestwoodUp to 9 chickens per single-family home
- Webster GrovesUp to 8 hens on lots of 7,500 sq. ft. or more; permit required
- MaplewoodUp to 6 at single-family homes; permit required
- Richmond HeightsUp to 5 chickens
- EllisvilleAllowed on all detached single-family lots
- Green ParkUp to 4 hens on residential lots
- Brentwood · University CityAllowed on lots under two acres, per Chesterfield's 2023 staff report
Summarized from official city and county sources reviewed November 2026. This is a policy comparison, not a complete copy of each code — always read the full ordinance and any subdivision restrictions.
Questions neighbors ask
Good questions, honest answers.
Won't they be loud?
Roosters crow; hens mostly don't. Hens make soft clucking sounds and an occasional brief "egg song." That's why our proposal bans roosters outright.
What about smell?
A handful of hens in a coop that's cleaned regularly doesn't produce a noticeable odor past the owner's yard. Sanitation standards are part of our proposal, and owners stay responsible for nuisance conditions.
Will chickens attract predators or rodents?
Secure, enclosed coops and feed stored in sealed containers keep wildlife and rodents out. Those requirements belong in the ordinance.
Does this override my HOA?
This campaign is about city rules. Check your subdivision's covenants separately — HOA rules are their own question.
I don't want chickens. Does this affect me?
No one has to keep chickens. This simply gives families who want a few hens the option — with rules that keep things neighborly for everyone else.
Get involved
Join our neighborhood campaign.
- 1Add your name.
Email us your name and street so we can show Council how many neighbors are on board. - 2Tell your council members.
A short, friendly note from a constituent goes a long way. - 3Show up.
We'll let you know when backyard hens are on a Council or committee agenda.