(A) Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this chapter or in this Code of Ordinances as amended, no person shall keep, harbor or allow to be kept any animal, except domesticated cats, dogs, fish, birds or commonly domesticated rodents (i.e. chinchilla, gerbil, hamster mouse, rat) or reptiles within a home or upon his or her property, within the corporate limits of the City.
(B) No person shall keep or maintain more than ten (10) mature rabbits within the corporate limits of the city and no pen, hutch or other structure designed to confine or shelter a rabbit or rabbits shall be so located that any portion of such pen, hutch or other structure is closer than twenty (20) feet from the adjoining property.
(C) No person shall keep or maintain more than five (5) fowl or poultry, or birds within the corporate limits of the city. Domesticated birds (not fowl or poultry) may be kept in the home. The keeping of fowl or poultry shall be along the following guidelines:
1. The keeping of roosters or crowing hens is not permissible, only hens for the purpose of laying eggs.
2. Animals, eggs or any byproducts shall not be made for sale on the premises.
3. Coops and free range areas shall not be permitted within the confines of the front or side yards of the property.
4. Coops and free range areas shall be set back ten (10) feet from all property lines.
5. Coops and free range areas shall be set back no less than twelve (12) feet from the primary lot dwelling unit and no less than thirty (30) feet distance from neighboring dwelling units to be met a consent release may be provided from said neighbor. This release applies only to the resident at the time of permitting and will be subject to re-approval and possible permit revocation upon change in tenant or owner.
6. All coops and free range areas shall be maintained in a sanitary, non-offensive manner and without the accumulation of waste, urine, feces or any other item that may be considered to have a disagreeable odor or appearance.
7. Chickens shall have adequate shelter, food and water at all times. The chickens must be secured from escape at all times and wings should be maintained via clipping to prevent escape.
8. Chickens shall be secured in their coops and from predators from sundown to sunup.
9. A minimum space of four (4) square foot per each chicken shall be made available within the enclosed area as well as an additional eight (8) square foot per each chicken of “free range” or “run” area. A minimum dimension of three (3) linear feet shall be maintained in any direction or usage. Coops shall not exceed seven feet in height or forty (40) feet in total square footage and shall be finished to be aesthetically pleasing.
10. No part of the property dwelling unit or garage shall be used for the keeping of chickens.
11. Sheltered and free range areas should be made to be weather and predator resistant.
12. All animal feed, bedding and other supplies associated with the keeping of chickens and likely to become an attractant to or infested by rodents or pests shall be stored and secured properly.
(D) No person shall keep or maintain any livestock, including but not limited to cattle, equine, goats, sheep, and swine, any wild animal, poisonous reptile, or other animal normally wild and dangerous to human life within the corporate limits of the city.
(E) It is no defense to a violation of this section that the owner or keeper of the animal has attempted to domesticate the animal.
(F) 1. Any person(s) who maintains fowl, poultry or rabbits within the city shall consent to periodic inspections of the hutch, pen or structure used for the purpose of keeping fowl, poultry or rabbits to allow a reasonable inspection of the hutch, pen or structure.
2. Any person(s) who does not consent to an inspection shall be deemed in noncompliance and subject to penalties as outlined in this chapter and furthermore may have their fowl, poultry, or rabbits seized.
3. The keeping of non domesticated animals as outlined in this chapter may be subject to seizure. (Ord. 1552, 8-2-2022)