This presentation will mark the final scheduled update in a year-long process that began in January. If adopted, this would be Lexington's new framework for determining how and if to expand the Urban Service Area
Update: This ordinance was officially adopted by Council on September 11th, 2025. The ordinance will take effect on November 1st, 2025.
In August 26th's Social Service and Public Safety (SSPS) Committee, 8th District Councilmember Amy Beasley will propose changes to ordinances regulating "restricted animals" inside the Urban Service Area (USA). Regulated animals include hogs, goats, pigs, and roosters.
One of the changes stipulates that residents inside the USA can own no more than one rooster. According to the presentation, this is to address concerns about public health and quality of life, as well as noise complaints.
Currently, there are no restrictions on how many roosters are allowed to be kept on properties within the USA.
The ordinance changes also include more severe penalties for having multiple roosters – or any number of pigs, hogs, and goats – increasing fines up to $100 per animal, per day the restrictions are violated.
Currently, a fine can range from $5 to $15 per animal, per day.
If adopted, the proposed date for the new amendments to take effect would be November 1, 2025.
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Watch the meeting: The Social Services and Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 26th at 1pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.
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How can you get involved? Reach out to the Fayette County Attorney's Office, who enforce these regulations, here!
Hannah Piedad is a Civic Media Intern at CivicLex and a student at the University of Kentucky, studying journalism and political science. She co-wrote CivicLex's Explainers on Housing Affordability, Public Transportation, and Complete Streets.
This presentation will mark the final scheduled update in a year-long process that began in January. If adopted, this would be Lexington's new framework for determining how and if to expand the Urban Service Area
