BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — In a close vote, the Bakersfield City Council decided to rescind the ordinance allowing hens in the backyards of city residents.

The city first approved the ordinance in September setting guidelines to allow residents to have hens. After it was approved the city received a notice for a temporary restraining order claiming it did not conduct proper environmental studies.

A group known as the Citizens for the Preservation of R-1 Zones filed a lawsuit claiming the ordinance violated the California Environmental Quality Act. The suit also claimed the project is ineligible for both “common sense and the Information collection” exemptions and the city was required to conduct an environmental analysis prior to adopting the ordinance.

Hens remain permitted in Agricultural and Residential Suburban zones under a previously enacted ordinance.