West Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The one year domestic chicken pilot program in West Columbia is now a permanent ordinance.
During Tuesday's council meeting West Columbia city council voted 7-1 to keep the ordinance in place.
It passed last year, but council had to come back for a vote a year later in order for it to remain.
The ordinance allows homeowners to own up to four chickens, but no roosters are allowed. The chicken coops must also be built in the backyard and at least 30 feet from all property lines.
Fourth grader Allene Keeney says they keep their chickens for the fresh eggs.
"When I eat store bought poached eggs, they tasted different than the eggs that we freshly collected from our hens when they were poached eggs," says Keeney. "My mom thought that it would be educational to have chickens."
Homeowners must have a permit to house the chickens on their property. So far only two families have permits for domestic chickens in West Columbia.