(A) Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful for any person within residential districts of the city limits to keep, or allow or permit the keeping of, or possession of any chicken, poultry, birds, peacocks, pea fowl, guineas, ducks, geese, goose, gander, or other fowl, except as provided and specified in division (B) of this section.
(B) The following shall be accepted and exempt from the provisions of division (A).
(1) Zoos, fairs, shows, and like exhibits issued permits by the city for the showing and keeping of such fowl.
(2) Parrots, parakeets, cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, and similar indoor pet birds actually kept in a residence in confinement, if in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
(3) Water fowl on any public lake or pond, or other lake or pond used by the public, such as a subdivision lake or pond.
(4) No more than four (4) domesticated female chickens (hens) shall be kept, maintained, or raised on lots with single-family dwellings only. In no event shall the number of hens on any single premises or lot exceed more than four (4). No roosters whatsoever shall be allowed. The following are additional requirements regarding the maintenance of domesticated female chickens.
(a) Domesticated female chickens must be confined in a coop not more than thirty-six (36) inches in height and with a square footage or floor area not to exceed eight (8) square feet, connected to a run of not more than twenty (20) square feet. The total area for the coop and run area shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet. Coops must be completely enclosed and constructed in a uniform manner of a sturdy material that provides protection from potential predators and the elements, and properly ventilated. Runs must be constructed of a fencing material that prevents potential predators from getting in, and hens from escaping.
(b) Runs and coops must be well drained so that there is no accumulation of chicken excrement, and shall be cleaned on a regular basis with all droppings and excretion disposed of in a manner so as not to attract flies or varmints, unless otherwise disposed of in accordance with any federal, state, or health regulation.
(c) Chickens, coops, runs, or other structures for housing chickens shall only be located or permitted between the rear of the principal structure and the rear lot line of the premises; must be screened from the side and rear lot lines by shrubbery or a privacy fence at least five (5) feet tall; and shall not be located within fifteen (15) feet of any property line and sixty (60) feet of the nearest residence or commercial building.
(d) No person shall slaughter any chickens on the premises. It shall be unlawful to raise chickens for commercial purposes within the city limits, or to sell eggs laid by chickens kept in the city limits. All eggs laid by the chickens must be utilized on the premises.
(e) Chicken coops, runs, or other structures for housing chickens shall not constitute an accessory structure.
(f) No person shall keep chickens on his premises within the city without first obtaining a completed and approved application (renewable annually) on June 30 of each year, along with an initial and annual compliance inspection, and payment of a five dollars ($5) registration fee as set by the City Council.
(g) No person shall keep chickens on his premises within the city without first obtaining written permission from abutting property owners in the initial application process.
(h) A permit to keep hens may be suspended, revoked, or not issued by the city where there is a risk to public health or safety, or for any violation of, or failure to comply with, any provision of other applicable ordinances or laws, including local subdivision covenants.
(C) Every person keeping, maintaining, or raising chickens and/or fowls within the corporate limits of the city on a lot, area, plot, parcel, or tract of land prior to or on the effective date of this section shall conform to and be in full compliance with the regulations of this section within ninety (90) days after its passage.
(D) Any person violating any provision of this section shall be deemed guilty of an offense and shall be subject to a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days upon conviction. Each day of violation shall be considered a separate offense. Punishment for violation shall not relieve the offender of liability for delinquent penalties and costs provided herein.
(Ord. 18-13, passed 10-8-2018)