Urban hens are here to stay.

Okotoks Town Council has voted unanimously to approve the Urban Hen Program after the pilot project ended in September.

Residents interested in keeping backyard hens, presented to council last year which resulted in the Urban Hen Pilot Project beginning in April 2015.

Angela Clay, Okotoks Municipal Enforcement administrator, says it was smooth sailing after they worked with a few neighbours who weren't in favour of the project.

"They had certain concerns in regards to noise and smell but in the long run after the hens were placed in those backyards no issues arose. We didn't have any complaints during the pilot project hence council went ahead with implementing an actual program rather than a pilot."

She says there was also a bylaw that threw a hitch into plans.

"Currently we have something called a Not Withstanding in respect to the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw that prohibits the keeping of livestock in yards so we have an Urban Hen Guidelines Regulations bylaw that allows, under certain circumstances, people to keep hens in their backyard."
September 2017.

Right now, the Town has 12 participants with a maximum of 18 allowed for the Urban Hen Program.