Rapid City Moves Toward Allowing Backyard Chickens

Rapid City is one step closer to allowing backyard chickens. The City Council this week approved first reading of an ordinance that would let residents keep up to six hens and six chicks, with coops limited to backyards only. Roosters and other fowl, including ducks and turkeys, would remain prohibited. The proposal passed on a 7–2 vote and now returns to the Legal and Finance Committee for a second reading. If approved there, it will go back to the full council for final consideration. The move follows similar actions taken by other Black Hills communities.