Darien Eyes Chicken Coop Exceptions

DARIEN, IL – A Darien resident is seeking exceptions to the city's regulations for a chicken coop in her backyard.

Resident Elisabeth Monahan's chicken coop is 5 feet away from her rear lot line, instead of the required 20 feet.

She also wants to keep her existing 5-foot perimeter fence, even though city codes require 6 feet.

In 2020, residents in a Darien neighborhood complained about a neighbor's chickens. After a debate, the City Council enacted regulations on how to deal with chickens.

Monahan, who lives in the 1900 block of Manning Road, filed a request for exceptions a month ago. She said her coop was in place before the new rules took effect.

"My coop, run and fence have existed in harmony with my neighbors for years," Monahan said in her application.

She said she owns six hens and no roosters.

"We only have one residential neighbor to the east, and they have told us many times that they enjoy our chickens," Monahan said. "They even bring their visitors over to see the chickens."

Monahan's backyard is bordered by Elizabeth Ide Elementary School.

"After kindergartners hatch baby chicks as a class project, they check with me to see if I want any chicks to add to our flock before finding homes for them," she said.

On Monday, the City Council is set to vote on Monahan's requests.

Earlier this week, the council's Municipal Services Committee recommended approval of the exceptions.