OGDEN — Backyard chickens, legal ones, will be coming to Ogden.

After months of discussion and debate, the Ogden City Council voted 4-3 Tuesday for an ordinance that will allow backyard chickens in the city. The vote came after about an hour of input from members of the public, who expressed overwhelming backing for allowing the birds, with 21 of 23 voicing support.

“We’re Ogden untamed; please let us be,” proponent Anna Cash said, alluding to the city’s slogan. “We want good, self-sustaining food.”

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The approved plan, crafted by city staff, will allow up to six chickens for homeowner-occupied homes with at least 2,000 square feet of open backyard space. Eliminated from the proposal was a provision that would have reduced the allowable number of birds by one for each cat and dog in a household.

The council rejected another proposal put forward by John and Liz Christiansen, who spearheaded the drive for a backyard ordinance. The Christiansens’ proposal would have permitted two to 12 chickens, with no requirement on lot size.

“Backyard chickens are not a big deal for me,” said Councilman Ben Nadolski, who voted for the ordinance. “But I do recognize that they are a big deal for some people.”

Tuesday’s vote doesn’t end things, Mayor Mike Caldwell said. The ordinance will go into effect on his signing or, if he doesn’t ink the ordinance, within two weeks of Tuesday’s action, said Amy Sue Mabey, policy analyst for the city council.

“I think it’s up to us to fine-tune it and see what works and what doesn’t,” Caldwell said.

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Councilman Richard Hyer, who voted no, expressed concern that allowing chickens would lead to pressure to allow additional animals — pigs or goats, perhaps.

Gary Schlattmann, an Ogden resident and one of only two members of the public to voice opposition, expressed similar sentiments.

“You’ve opened up Ogden city to become a barnyard town,” he said, warning there will be a push to permit ducks, turkeys and more. “You see what you’ve opened up?”

Voting in favor, in addition to Nadolski, were council members Marcia White, Luis Lopez and Neil Garner. Voting no, in addition to Hyer, were council members Bart Blair and Doug Stephens.

“I just have not been convinced yet that this ordinance is what our city needs,” Blair said.

Numerous hearings and work sessions were held ahead of Tuesday’s vote, and the Christiansens and other proponents from the Ogden Chicken Alliance had campaigned for change around the city for several months. “I don’t think we would have gotten so far if it weren’t for the citizens of Ogden,” John Christiansen said.

Proponents tout the fresh eggs produced by backyard chickens and say caring for them serves as an educational opportunity. The birds eat bugs and their droppings serve as fertilizer. Critics say such critters don’t belong in an urban setting, worry enforcement of rules governing the birds would be difficult and fear they would draw raccoons.

Officials debated allowing backyard chickens in 2009 and 2010, but ultimately rejected a pair of proposals.

Of Weber County’s 15 cities, now just South Ogden and Washington Terrace will remain as the ones prohibiting chickens.

Contact reporter Tim Vandenack at tvandenack@standard.net, follow him on Twitter at @timvandenack or like him on Facebook at Facebook.com/TimVandenackReporter.