Are Chickens Allowed in O’Fallon, Missouri?

BySusan Medlin

Short answer: No — backyard chickens are currently prohibited in the city limits of O’Fallon, Missouri under its municipal code. Local law does not allow residents to keep hens or any poultry in standard residential areas. Below is a detailed look at what the law says, what residents are doing, and what to check if you’re curious about the possibility of keeping chickens in special cases.

What the City Ordinance Says

  • According to a statement from the City of O’Fallon, “Backyard chickens are, and will continue to be, prohibited in residential areas by city ordinance.” :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
  • The city’s Animal Control Code (part of the O’Fallon Code of Ordinances via eCode360) does not include allowances for poultry or fowl in residential zoning. There are general regulations governing animals and “domestic animals,” but no provisions that permit chickens in backyards. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
  • Even though Missouri state law has changed in some places to limit how restrictive local laws can be regarding backyard chickens, in O’Fallon the city’s ordinance remains in effect, and state law does *not* currently force reversal of that prohibition. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

What Residents Are Doing / Pushing For

  • There is a **petition** from local residents to allow backyard chickens in O’Fallon, arguing the potential benefits (fresh eggs, sustainability, educational value). But as of now, no law has changed. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
  • There have been efforts in the past through the City Council to introduce an ordinance to allow limited poultry keeping in residential areas, but proposals have repeatedly failed. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Why Chickens Are Prohibited in O’Fallon (Residential Zones)

Based on city statements and council discussions, here are some of the main concerns cited by city officials and opponents of allowing chickens:

  • Noise, nuisance, odor concerns from keeping poultry too close to neighboring homes. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
  • Concerns from Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and neighborhood covenants — these often support maintaining a certain residential character. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  • Regulatory / enforcement burden: ensuring proper coop design, hygiene, rodent control, etc. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  • Consistent policy: city officials seem committed to maintaining the prohibition (the city’s public statement is that chickens *will continue* to be prohibited). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

What “Residential Areas” Means & Possible Exceptions

The ordinance applies to standard residential zoning within the city limits of O’Fallon. Because the ban is municipal, it covers most typical single-family neighborhoods. However, some possible scenarios to explore (though not yet legal) include:

  • Agricultural or rural‐zoned parcels, if any exist inside or near city limits, might have different rules—but so far, the city has not changed its ordinance to allow chickens even under those conditions.
  • County land outside the city limits (or in unincorporated St. Charles County) tends to have more permissive rules in some places. If your property is outside the municipal boundary, you may fall under county regulation rather than city regulation. For example, St. Charles County has an ordinance allowing up to 8 hens i

    Are Chickens Allowed in O’Fallon, Missouri?

    Short answer: No — backyard chickens are currently prohibited in the city limits of O’Fallon, Missouri under its municipal code. Local law does not allow residents to keep hens or any poultry in standard residential areas. Below is a detailed look at what the law says, what residents are doing, and what to check if you’re curious about the possibility of keeping chickens in special cases.

    What the City Ordinance Says

    • According to a statement from the City of O’Fallon, “Backyard chickens are, and will continue to be, prohibited in residential areas by city ordinance.”
    • The city’s Animal Control Code (part of the O’Fallon Code of Ordinances via eCode360) does not include allowances for poultry or fowl in residential zoning. There are general regulations governing animals and “domestic animals,” but no provisions that permit chickens in backyards.
    • Even though Missouri state law has changed in some places to limit how restrictive local laws can be regarding backyard chickens, in O’Fallon the city’s ordinance remains in effect, and state law does not currently force reversal of that prohibition.

    What Residents Are Doing / Pushing For

    • There is a petition from local residents to allow backyard chickens in O’Fallon, arguing the potential benefits (fresh eggs, sustainability, educational value). But as of now, no law has changed.
    • There have been efforts in the past through the City Council to introduce an ordinance to allow limited poultry keeping in residential areas, but proposals have repeatedly failed.

    Why Chickens Are Prohibited in O’Fallon (Residential Zones)

    Based on city statements and council discussions, here are some of the main concerns cited by city officials and opponents of allowing chickens:

    • Noise, nuisance, odor concerns from keeping poultry too close to neighboring homes.
    • Concerns from Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and neighborhood covenants — these often support maintaining a certain residential character.
    • Regulatory / enforcement burden: ensuring proper coop design, hygiene, rodent control, etc.
    • Consistent policy: city officials seem committed to maintaining the prohibition (the city’s public statement is that chickens will continue to be prohibited).

    What “Residential Areas” Means & Possible Exceptions

    The ordinance applies to standard residential zoning within the city limits of O’Fallon. Because the ban is municipal, it covers most typical single-family neighborhoods. However, some possible scenarios to explore (though not yet legal) include:

    • Agricultural or rural‐zoned parcels, if any exist inside or near city limits, might have different rules—but so far, the city has not changed its ordinance to allow chickens even under those conditions.
    • County land outside the city limits (or in unincorporated St. Charles County) tends to have more permissive rules in some places. If your property is outside the municipal boundary, you may fall under county regulation rather than city regulation. For example, St. Charles County has an ordinance allowing up to 8 hens in many residentially zoned unincorporated areas (hens only, no roosters).
    • Special permits or future ordinances: citizens are pushing for legislative change; one day O’Fallon may adopt more permissive rules, but as of now nothing has passed.

    What You Should Do If You Want Chickens and Live in O’Fallon

    1. Check whether your property is inside city limits or outside (unincorporated area). County vs city zoning matters a lot.
    2. Reach out to your local City Planning/Zoning or Code Enforcement office to ask whether any exceptions or new proposals are pending.
    3. If in an area that currently prohibits chickens, you might engage with neighborhood groups or city council to propose a change—but expect opposition from HOAs and neighbors concerned about nuisances.
    4. Follow state law updates: occasionally, state laws adjust what local jurisdictions may or may not regulate—but so far O’Fallon’s ban remains in effect.

    Conclusion

    So, in summary: no, chickens are not allowed in residential areas within O’Fallon, Missouri. The city ordinance prohibits them. If you live outside the city limits or under special zoning or agricultural classification, then you might have more flexibility, but in the city proper, the law does not permit backyard chickens at this time.


    n many residentially zoned unincorporated areas (hens only, no roosters). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
  • Special permits or future ordinances: citizens are pushing for legislative change; one day O’Fallon may adopt more permissive rules, but as of now nothing has passed. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

What You Should Do If You Want Chickens and Live in O’Fallon

  1. Check whether your property is inside city limits or outside (unincorporated area). County vs city zoning matters a lot.
  2. Reach out to your local City Planning/Zoning or Code Enforcement office to ask whether any exceptions or new proposals are pending.
  3. If in an area that currently prohibits chickens, you might engage with neighborhood groups or city council to propose a change—but expect opposition from HOAs and neighbors concerned about nuisances.
  4. Follow state law updates: occasionally, state laws adjust what local jurisdictions may or may not regulate—but so far O’Fallon’s ban remains in effect. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Conclusion

So, in summary: no, chickens are *not allowed* in residential areas within O’Fallon, Missouri. The city ordinance prohibits them. If you live outside the city limits or under special zoning or agricultural classification, then you might have more flexibility, but in the city proper, the law does *not* permit backyard chickens at this time.