On Aug. 23, Cary Town Council officially approved a Backyard Chicken Ordinance that now allows residents within town limits to legally keep a chicken coop on their property. The ordinance was approved by a 4-3 vote.

Cary Chickens, a group of backyard chicken advocates who โ€œgive a cluck about Cary,โ€ has been trying for more than four years to lure local government in their favor. According to the Cary Chickens blog post announcing the change, โ€œCountless hours were spent collecting signatures, spreading the word, and educating residents at farmerโ€™s markets and other venues. This was an effort by the community for the benefit of the community.โ€

The ordinance allows a maximum of five hens, but no roosters. The coop must be kept in the backyard within at least 15 feet of the home and requires a one-time $50 permit fee. Onsite slaughter is not allowed. The ordinance does not exempt residents from the rules of neighborhood homeownerโ€™s associations. Click here to read the complete ordinance.

Bio: Victoria Bouloubasis is the INDY Week food editor.Link: http://www.victoriabouloubasis.comEmail: [email protected]: http://twitter.com/thisfeedsme