Support a Small Change for a Stronger Community
We, the undersigned residents of Yorktown, respectfully ask the Town Council and Plan Commission to update the zoning ordinance to allow responsible backyard chicken keeping in residential areas.

This petition does not ask for farms or roosters. It supports a regulated, neighbor-friendly ordinance that allows families to keep hens for personal egg production.

 
Why This Matters
Backyard hens provide many benefits to families and our community:

🥚 Local Food & Self-Sufficiency

• Backyard chickens provide fresh eggs and help families become more resilient and self-reliant.

🌱 Sustainability
Chickens:

• Eat kitchen scraps and reduce food waste
• Produce natural fertilizer for gardens
• Support environmentally friendly living

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Educational Opportunities
Raising hens teaches children:

• Responsibility
• Animal care
• Food stewardship
• Environmental awareness

🏡 Community & Quality of Life
Many cities and towns across Indiana and the U.S. already allow backyard hens with minimal issues and high resident satisfaction. Cities and towns like:

• Indianapolis
• Carmel
• Evansville
• Bloomington
• South Bend
• And many more!

 
A Responsible, Common-Sense Approach
We support a well-regulated ordinance that includes safeguards such as:

• Hens only (no roosters)
• Small flock limit (6–8 hens)
• Secure, clean coops and runs
• Proper setbacks from neighboring homes
• No commercial sales
• No outdoor slaughter
• Good sanitation and animal care standards

These common rules ensure chickens remain quiet, clean, and respectful of neighbors.

 
Why Now?
Communities nationwide are modernizing outdated zoning rules to reflect today’s values:

• Local food access
• Sustainability
• Family self-sufficiency
• Responsible animal stewardship
• Yorktown families should have the same opportunity.

 
Our Request
We respectfully ask Yorktown officials to:

• Begin the process to amend the zoning ordinance
• Hold a public hearing on allowing backyard hens
• Adopt a reasonable, regulated ordinance permitting hens in residential areas