Example HOA covenant that allows hens

[Rachb0325]

Hello!

I am wondering if anyone has an example HOA covenant that allows up to 6 hens. Our city recently made a law change to allow 6 hens in residential areas with a permit, but our HOA does not. I am planning on getting signatures to put a petition together to the board, but would love to have an example amendment/covenant that allows 6 hens to show exactly what we are requesting.

I have included our current covenant, and would appreciate any thoughts on updating it to propose allowing chickens.

 

[Brooks_]

My first thought would be to just copy the city one and make slight changes to align more closely with what the HOA already has for rules/bylaws.

 

[Houston resident]

Hello!

I am wondering if anyone has an example HOA covenant that allows up to 6 hens. Our city recently made a law change to allow 6 hens in residential areas with a permit, but our HOA does not. I am planning on getting signatures to put a petition together to the board, but would love to have an example amendment/covenant that allows 6 hens to show exactly what we are requesting.

I have included our current covenant, and would appreciate any thoughts on updating it to propose allowing chickens.


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My HOA had the same language. Texas House Bill 1191 (the Chicken Freedom Act) became effective September 1, 2023. It specifically permits residents to have up to 6 chickens in their backyards. Since January, egg prices jumped up nearly 138% from last year.

Effective January 1, 2024, Texas House Bill 614 requires HOAs to post on their websites and mail to their residents a catalog of prohibited items, a fine schedule, and hearing details.

 

[egglover143]

My HOA had the same language. Texas House Bill 1191 (the Chicken Freedom Act) became effective September 1, 2023. It specifically permits residents to have up to 6 chickens in their backyards. Since January, egg prices jumped up nearly 138% from last year.

Effective January 1, 2024, Texas House Bill 614 requires HOAs to post on their websites and mail to their residents a catalog of prohibited items, a fine schedule, and hearing details.

Thanks for this post!

I'll look into what you mentioned. Are you sure they passed? 99.9% people just give up that I've seen online. They say don't live in an HOA, but most property in the country is now under an HOA and the percentage is growing.

Being able to feed yourself using your own property seems like it would be a protected right.

 

[egglover143]

My HOA had the same language. Texas House Bill 1191 (the Chicken Freedom Act) became effective September 1, 2023. It specifically permits residents to have up to 6 chickens in their backyards. Since January, egg prices jumped up nearly 138% from last year.

Effective January 1, 2024, Texas House Bill 614 requires HOAs to post on their websites and mail to their residents a catalog of prohibited items, a fine schedule, and hearing details.

I'm trying to get more information, but HB 1191 cleared the house, but then just sat in a Senate committee so it's not in effect.

I talked Briscoe Cain about this, supposedly there are protections from city and county, but not HOA, in the Right to Farm Act which did get passed. but I couldn't see anything about chickens at all when I pulled up the Amendment.

I will keep looking into things. Let me know if you find anything out.