(A) Officers designated by the city shall have authority in the investigation and enforcement of this subchapter, and no person shall interfere with, hinder or molest any such officer in the exercise of such powers. The officer shall make investigations as is necessary and may grant, deny, or refuse to renew any application for permit, or terminate an existing permit under this subchapter.
(B) Limitations for each single dwelling residential unit:
(1) No more than five chicken hens shall be housed or kept on any one residential lot in any area of the city zoned R-1, R-2, PUD, PRD, and AG with a permit as outlined below;
(2) Roosters are prohibited.
(3) Slaughtering of chickens in the city limits is prohibited.
(4) Leg banding of all chickens is required. The bands will be issued by the city upon chicken permit approval. The city will keep on file the owner's name, address, phone numbers and band numbers.
(5) A separate coop is required to house chickens. Coops must be constructed and maintained to meet the following minimum standards:
(a) Located in the rear or side yard.
(b) Setback at least ten feet from the rear or side property lines and at least six feet from existing structures.
(c) Interior floor space - minimum of three square feet per bird.
(d) Interior height - four to six feet to allow access for cleaning and maintenance.
(e) Doors - one standard door to allow humans to access the coop so that cleaning the coop is possible and one for birds (if above ground level, must also provide a stable ramp).
(f) Windows - one square foot window per 12 square feet floor space. Windows must be able to open for ventilation.
(g) Climate control - adequate ventilation and/or insulation for extreme temperatures.
(h) Nest boxes - one box per five hens.
(i) Roosts - one and one-half inch diameter or greater, located 18 inches from the wall and two to three inches above the floor.
(j) Rodent proof - coop construction and materials must be adequate to prevent access by rodents.
(k) Coops shall be constructed and maintained in a manner so as to not become a nuisance as defined in Chapter 96, Nuisances.
(l) Structure must be in compliance with the current zoning and building codes.
(6) A portable coop/run is permitted to house the chickens. Portable coop/runs must be constructed and maintained to meet the following minimum standards:
(a) Setback at least ten feet from the rear or side property lines and at least six feet from existing structures.
(b) Interior space - minimum of three square feet per bird.
(c) Doors - adequate access to allow humans the space to clean the coop.
(d) Outside run - a minimum of five square feet a bird.
(7) A run or exercise yard is required. Permanent runs must be constructed and maintained to meet the following minimum standards:
(a) Location: rear or side yard. Setback at least ten feet from the rear or side property lines and at least six feet from existing structures.
(b) Space: minimum of nine square feet a bird.
(c) Height: Four to six feet in height to allow access for cleaning and maintenance.
(d) Gate: One gate to allow human access to the run.
(e) Cover: Adequate to keep hens in and predators out.
(f) Substrate: Composed of material that can be easily raked or regularly replaced to reduce odor and flies.
(8) Chickens must not be housed in a residential house or an attached or detached garage or accessory building, except for brooding purposes only.
(9) All premises on which chicken hens are kept or maintained shall be kept clean from filth, garbage, and any substances which attract rodents. The coop and its surroundings must be cleaned frequently enough to control odor. Manure shall not be allowed to accumulate in a way that causes an unsanitary condition or causes odors detectable on another property. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the officer removing chickens from the premises and/or revoking a chicken permit.
(10) All grain and food stored for the use of the hens on a premise with a chicken permit shall be kept in a rodent proof container.
(11) Chicken hens shall not be kept in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance to the occupants of adjacent property.
(12) Dead chickens must be disposed of according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health rules which require chicken carcasses to be disposed of as soon as possible after death, usually within 48 hours to 72 hours. Legal forms of chicken carcass disposal include offsite burial, offsite incineration or rendering, or offsite composting.
(Ord. passed 9-27-12; Am. Ord. 2015-02, passed 9-22-15; Am. Ord. 20-02, passed 7-14-20) Penalty, see § 94.99