Who knew chickens would ruffle so many feathers?! But these domesticated fowl were at the center of a big legal battle, led by the Community Association Institute’s Heartland Chapter and the Missouri Legislative Action Committee (LAC).

A lawsuit was originally filed in August of 2024 in response to HB 2062. This wide-ranging bill included a provision that prohibited community associations from restricting owners from building chicken coops, and/or raising up to six chickens on an area 2/10 of an acre or larger. That’s roughly 8,712 square feet.

Read on to learn more about this case, and why it matters for the future of HOA governance.

Table of contents

• HB 2062
• What happened when HB2062 was passed
• The lawsuit
• The verdict
• An important win for HOAs across the U.S.
• Complying with new legislation

HB 2062 background information

Initially, the chicken provision was a standalone bill presented during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions. The Missouri LAC succeeded at stopping each bill.

However, at the end of its 2024 session, the legislature passed HB 2062, which focused on provisions relating to the use of property. This bill addressed other provisions like electric vehicle charging stations and home inspections.

 The CAI reports that eight last-minute amendments were made, including language from the chicken bill.

HB 2062 was signed into law by Missouri Governor Mike Parson in July 2024,  and became law on August 28, 2024.

What happened when HB2062 was passed

When the new law passed, some owners were pleased as it would allow them to embark on a new hobby, and farm fresh eggs.  However, others believed this change would infringe on a community’s rights and regulations.

The provision did leave room for HOAs to adopt reasonable rules, subject to applicable statutes or ordinances. For example, they could include prohibitions or restrictions on roosters, which can be noisy and much more bothersome than hens. Rules could also be designed around the location of chicken coops.

But advocates were not happy with this rule or how it was passed, so they brought the matter before a judge.

The lawsuit: Four Seasons Lakesites Property Owners Association vs. State of Missouri 

Four Seasons, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, is a homeowner’s association covering residential properties in a neighborhood in the Lake of the Ozarks. Four Seasons is managed by Missouri LAC member Della Miller.

The CAI’s Heartland Chapter and LAC argued that the chicken provision infringed on the rights of community associations in the state. Furthermore, it violated Article III of the Missouri Constitution, which states “no bill shall contain more than one subject which shall be clearly expressed in its title.”

The CAI said that the original purpose of HB 2062 was political subdivisions, with a focus on moratoriums on evictions. But, the chicken provision, and others, were unconstitutionally amended to the bill.

It would be hard to argue against this, as the bill clearly covers more than one subject.

The verdict

In October of 2025, Missouri Circuit Court Judge Stumpe issued a judgment that HB 2062 was in direct violation of the Missouri Constitution, Article III, as well as all additional constitutional claims in the lawsuit.

This judgment immediately invalidated HB 2062 in its entirety. As of now, HOAs in Missouri can ban owners from having chickens in their backyards.

An important win for HOAs across the U.S.

While this chicken issue may sound a bit trivial on the surface, it represents a bigger problem.

Over the past couple of years, new legislation has significantly weakened governing abilities for some HOAs. For example, California HOAs were told just this year that they must cap fines at $100, unless the violation results in an adverse health or safety impact.

Amid an affordability crisis, lawmakers and groups that represent owners have characterized the cap, which took effect July 1, 2025, as protecting the pocketbooks of middle- and low-income residents.

However, concerns persist because the reduced incentive to enforce rules may lead to an increase in noncompliance, as owners may choose to absorb the minor fines rather than adhere to regulations.

The fine cap has the potential to weaken the HOA’s ability to encourage adherence to community standards. The shift may also prompt a greater reliance on expensive and time-consuming legal action if noncompliance continues.

Florida HOAs were hit with a number of new laws in 2024 that impacted a board’s ability to govern.

HB 1203 aimed to promote transparency and consistency across Florida HOAs, but suddenly, communities could no longer require owners to park pickups in their garages, issue immediate fines for holiday décor left up too long, or ban boats, flags, vegetable gardens or artificial turf in backyards.

Many owners will undoubtedly appreciate these changes, but we expect to see conflicts arise between neighbors and board members as a result of relaxed HOA rules.  

The ruling that overturned House Bill 2062 reaffirms the importance of protecting the constitutional process, and the right of community associations to self-govern.

Finding a balance can be a challenge, but passing laws that prevent HOAs from enforcing community rules makes it harder for the board to do its job well.

Complying with new legislation

Even if the board does not agree with new state legislation, it is important to ensure that your association remains compliant. Non-compliance can lead to fines, lawsuits, and even the dissolution of an HOA.

Always get advice from an attorney specializing in HOA law to interpret the legislation correctly and ensure the HOA understands what to do when a new law is passed. The governing documents may need updates as well, and an attorney can help you with wording so as to avoid misunderstandings or oversights.

Finally, it is important to educate the community about the changes. Owners cannot be expected to follow the rules if they are not aware of them.

 The rule change can be promoted through the HOA’s newsletter, during a member meeting, or posted as a new announcement on an HOA website or through a software platform like HOA Central.

 

Conclusion

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has confirmed that it plans to appeal the ruling on this case. That means the issue is not yet resolved, and the decision could be overturned.

Furthermore, some chicken owners want the law reinstated, saying it allowed families to save money and keep beloved pets. 

We will update this article if and when more information becomes available.