Got chickens? Not in Springville

SPRINGVILLE — Chickens in Springville?

Not on this City Council's watch.

David and Lela Allmendinger approached the council in July asking permission to legally raise chickens in residential zones. "No neighbor is against it," Lela Allmendinger said then. "Some already have chickens."

But the council has agreed not to legalize chickens in residential zones.

"The council looked at some options in a work session last week and chose to leave the ordinances as currently on the books," City Administrator Troy Fitzgerald said.

The Allmendingers wanted up to six chickens to be self-sufficient, but no roosters.

The council decided to take a look at the request after Councilmen Phil Bird and Dean Olsen said they would like to pursue it. Councilman Ben Jolley was opposed to the idea from the get-go.

The Provo City Council recently approved up to six chickens in some residential zones. Elk Ridge has considered passing an ordinance allowing chickens. Lehi considers them household pets. Several other Utah County cities allow chickens in some residential zones including Eagle Mountain, Lindon, Alpine, Mapleton, Spanish Fork, Santaquin, Salem and Orem.

— Rodger L. Hardy