(A) Up to six chicken hens (female Gallus gallus domesticus) may be kept on a premise subject to the following requirements and subject to all other applicable provisions of this code:
(1) The chicken hens must be kept on a single-family parcel(s). Chicken hens are prohibited
on any multi-dwelling parcel(s). No roosters (male Gallus gallus domesticus) shall be permitted in town.
(2) The owner must obtain an annual permit from the Town Animal Control. The fee(s) for this permit will be determined by Town Council resolution and may be periodically adjusted. The town shall inspect the premise on which it is proposed chickens will be kept prior to the issuance or renewal of a permit. The initial permit fee shall be $20.
(3) The chicken hens shall be provided with a covered, predator-proof chicken house that is thoroughly ventilated, of sufficient size to admit free movement of the chicken hens, designed to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained by the owners, be at least two square feet per chicken hen in size and the coop and enclosure cannot be more than 12 feet at its peak in height.
(4) No chicken house, outdoor chicken enclosure, or chicken hen shall at any time be located closer than ten feet to any public right-of-way, sidewalk, or neighboring property line other than the chicken owner, custodian, or keeper.
(5) The chicken hens shall be shut into the chicken house at night, from sunset to sunrise.
(6) During daylight hours the adult chicken hens shall have access to the chicken house and, weather permitting, shall have access to an outdoor enclosure on the subject property, adequately fenced to contain the chicken hens and to prevent access to the chicken hens by predators.
(7) Stored feed must be kept in a rodent- and predator-proof container.
(8) It is unlawful for the owner, custodian, or keeper of any chicken hen to allow the animal(s) to be a nuisance to any neighbors, including but not limited to: noxious odors from the animals or their enclosure; and noise of a loud and persistent and habitual nature. Abatement of a nuisance under this section may include removal of the animals from town and cancellation of any permit issued to keep chickens.
(9) No chicken hen(s) shall be allowed to run at large in the town. No owner or keeper shall allow or permit any chicken hen(s) to be at large off the owner's or keeper's property. Any chicken hen(s) found to be running at large in the town or on private property in violation of this section is a public nuisance and may be ordered to be removed from the town pending resolution of any violation (see division (A)(8) above).
(10) No chicken house or chicken enclosure shall be located in a front yard.
(11) No chicken hens shall be slaughtered within view of adjacent property or the public.
(12) Changes to the standards contained in this section shall require any permit holder to comply with any new standard, regulation, or condition and no notice to a permit holder is required prior to enforcement of any new standard beyond that required for adoption of a new or revised ordinance.
(B) Persons found to have committed a violation of this section shall be subject to a municipal infraction with civil penalties as specified in § 10.99. The initial fine for a violation of this section shall be $100.
(Ord. 03-13-23-02, passed 4-10-2023)
Cross-reference:
Collection of foul substances, § 90.27
Noisy animals, § 90.08
Animals at large, § 91.03