What HB 276 Actually Does
Kentucky House Bill 276, sponsored by State Rep. Steven Doan of Erlanger, passed the full House 72-22 on February 5, 2026. The bill creates a new section of KRS Chapter 65 that establishes a statewide baseline for backyard chicken keeping. Its core provision: no city, consolidated local government, or other local authority may completely prohibit residents from keeping up to 6 backyard chickens on residential property.
The bill defines a "backyard chicken" specifically as a hen kept for personal egg production or educational purposes. Roosters are explicitly excluded from the protection — cities can still ban roosters under the bill, and the bill itself clarifies that its protections do not extend to commercial farming operations.
What Local Governments Can Still Regulate
HB 276 is not a deregulation of backyard chickens — it's a floor, not a ceiling. Even if the bill becomes law, local governments retain authority to regulate:
- Sanitation — how coops are maintained, waste disposal requirements
- Coop placement — rear yard only, setback distances from property lines and neighboring homes
- Pest control — securing feed, preventing rodent attraction
- Permits — cities may still require permits as long as the permit process doesn't amount to a functional ban
- Hen count above 6 — cities may restrict how many hens above 6 a resident can keep
What cities cannot do under HB 276: issue a flat prohibition on keeping any chickens at all for residents on qualifying residential property.
Status as of Mid-2026
HB 276 passed the Kentucky House but as of mid-2026 is pending Senate consideration. Several cities have formally opposed the bill, arguing it strips appropriate local control from municipalities. The City of Union, for example, passed a resolution opposing it in March 2026. The bill's fate depends on whether the Senate advances it before session ends.
HB 276 passed the House but has not yet passed the Senate or been signed by the Governor. Until it is signed, current city-by-city ordinances govern. Do not rely on HB 276 as protection until it is enacted. Check with your city's planning department for current rules.
What This Means for Kentucky Flock Owners Right Now
If you're in a Kentucky city that currently bans chickens, HB 276 offers potential future protection — but not current protection. Louisville, Lexington, and most major Kentucky cities already permit backyard hens with various restrictions, so the practical impact there is limited. The bigger impact would be on smaller cities and towns that have outright bans, which the bill would override if enacted.
If you're planning to get chickens in anticipation of HB 276 passing, verify your city's current ordinance first. Getting chickens based on a bill that hasn't passed yet is a risk — if the Senate doesn't advance it, your city's current ban still applies.
How HB 276 Compares to Other State Laws
Kentucky's HB 276, if enacted, would join a small but growing group of states with statewide chicken protection laws. Texas has had Agriculture Code §251.007 since 2019, which similarly protects 6 hens from city bans. Florida's HB 1203 (2024) addresses HOA bans rather than city bans. Missouri's attempt (HB 2062, 2024) was ruled unconstitutional in October 2025. Kentucky's approach — a clean, single-subject bill with clear scope — is structurally the kind of legislation that survives constitutional challenge.
Kentucky Cities With Current Ordinances
| City | Currently Allows Hens? | Permit Required? | Max Hens | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | Yes | Yes — free | Up to 5 hens | Annual permit, compliant with HB 276 floor |
| Lexington | Yes | No | Up to 6 hens | 10 ft from lines; 50 ft from neighbor's home |
| Owensboro | Yes (as of Sept 2025) | Yes — $25 | Up to 6 hens | New 2025 ordinance; 40 ft from neighbor dwelling |
| Frankfort | Yes (2026 update) | Yes | Up to 6 hens | Verify current permit details with city |
| Bowling Green | Yes | No | Up to 5 hens | Roosters and crowing poultry strictly prohibited |
Always verify current rules directly with your city. Ordinances change, and city-level rules remain the operative standard until HB 276 is signed into law.