Saddle Rock Ranches HOA Position on Chickens

The Saddle Rock Ranches Homeowners Association (HOA) has chosen to temporarily abstain from enforcing the covenant prohibiting chickens, recognizing significant legal ambiguity surrounding their classification.

Our community’s Covenants explicitly prohibit livestock, including chickens, while allowing “domestic household pets.” However, neither the Covenants nor prevailing legal standards clearly define whether chickens may fall within the scope of “domestic household pets.” Legal interpretations and case law vary across jurisdictions, and municipalities differ in how they treat backyard chickens. Given this uncertainty, and the substantial cost and effort required to pursue a legal determination, the HOA has determined it is not in the community’s best interest to engage in enforcement or litigation on this matter at this time.

Effective January 15, 2019, and until further notice, the HOA will not enforce the prohibition on chickens, provided:

* Homeowners comply with all other applicable provisions in the Covenants, including requirements related to structures, fencing, and maintenance.

* Residents follow all relevant local and state regulations issued by the City of Centennial, Arapahoe County, the State of Colorado, and public health authorities.

This abstention is temporary. It does not create a permanent right or grandfathering of chickens. The HOA reserves the right to revisit and enforce the prohibition in the future, especially as case law or statutory definitions evolve.

This limited suspension of enforcement does not affect the remainder of the HOA’s covenants or rules, which remain in full force and effect pursuant to the severability clause in Article II, Section 2 of the Covenants.