(A) It shall be unlawful to house or keep any live poultry within 20 feet of any school or church or public street without a poultry license. Further, any live poultry shall be housed equidistant from each property line or at least 20 feet from any residence other than the residence of the owner of such animals. Consideration will be given for up to a 15-foot reduction of the required setbacks by administrative review, dependent on screening of the rear yard, setback and configuration of the licensed and adjacent residential property, and the design of the chicken coop.
(B) Poultry licenses are required for the keeping of live poultry and will be issued only under the following conditions:
(1) Property shall be zoned R-1 Single- Family Residential with a minimum lot size of 4,800 square feet;
(2) A building permit is required for the construction of a chicken coop, outdoor enclosed chicken run, chicken tractor or the installation of a prefabricated chicken coop. If electricity is installed to the chicken coop it must be installed underground; extension cords or above ground wire are not permitted. Any electrical work requires an electrical permit. The Building Department shall inspect any structure related to the keeping of poultry to determine compliance with city code. Upon staff review existing non-residential structures may be allowed for the housing of hens;
(3) Should allow no more than ten hens. No roosters are allowed;
(4) Chicken coop and enclosed chicken run requirements:
(a) All keeping of poultry must be kept in a chicken coop; poultry are not allowed to be housed within a residence;
(b) Each licensed premises shall contain a single chicken coop with dimensions no larger than 24 square feet in area and six feet in height as measured from grade, elevated at least one foot off of the ground;
(c) Chicken coops shall be constructed of solid materials on all sides, including roof and door(s); the chicken coop must be constructed in such a manner so as to protect the hens from predators and trespassers, provide adequate ventilation to minimize odors, allow easy ingress and egress for hens and protection from weather elements including cold temperatures;
(d) Hens may be allowed outside of the chicken coop between dawn and dusk only in an enclosed, covered chicken run no larger than 32 square feet and no taller than six feet. Each hen shall have a minimum space of two square feet within the enclosed run. The screening enclosing this area must be buried at 12 inches deep and six inches flat to prevent predators from digging under the fence. Chicken wire shall not be used for screening. If hardware cloth, or welded wire mesh is used, it must be a minimum of 19-gauge wire;
(e) Both chicken coops and enclosed outdoor chicken runs shall be located:
1. Only in a rear yard;
2. A minimum of ten feet from any lot line;
3. Equidistant from each property line or at least 20 feet from residential structures not occupied by licensee; and
4. At least ten feet from the principal building.
(f) To accommodate free range hens the outside enclosure may be provided through the use of a mobile screened enclosure commonly referred to as a chicken tractor. Placement of the chicken tractor must maintain the setbacks outlined within this chapter;
(g) The area of confinement shall be secured at all times and shall consist of an enclosed run which shall have sufficient fresh air, provide shade and an enclosed area (coop) which shall be freely accessible to the hens during the night and in inclement weather (heat, rain, wind, storm, snow, cold); and
(h) All areas used for the feeding and grazing shall be maintained to prevent soil erosion and run off to neighboring properties.
(5) Screening of the premises:
(a) Licensed premises must contain a six-foot solid fence to screen the area which contains the chicken coop and open chicken run from adjacent properties. Consideration will be given for a vegetative screen instead of a fence if the setback distance between the chicken coop and residential structures not occupied by the licensee is greater than 100 feet; and
(b) Use of a chicken tractor will require the entire area within which the tractor is moved to meet this screening requirement.
(6) Hens shall be kept in a sanitary condition at all times with fresh water. All premises on which hens are kept or maintained shall be kept clean from filth, garbage and any substances which attract rodents.
(a) Food shall be provided on a regular basis throughout the day. Stored feed must be kept in a rodent- and predator-proof container.
(b) All chicken coops and enclosed chicken runs shall be maintained in good, structurally sound repair and in a neat, clean, presentable and attractive condition.
(c) No hen shall be kept in a manner so as to create noxious odors or noise of a loud, persistent and habitual nature.
(d) Hens will not be slaughtered on the poultry owner’s property.
(e) Hens shall be maintained in a healthy condition. Ill hens shall either receive appropriate medical care or be culled.
(7) Failure to comply with these conditions may result in revocation of the license and fine not to exceed $750 per day.
(Ord. 2020-031, passed 8-25-2020)