A. Purpose and Intent: The guidelines and provisions of this section are intended to:
1. Minimize nuisances to neighboring property owners;
2. Prevent rodent, insect, vermin, and pest proliferation;
3. Prevent the spread of disease; and
4. Provide the ability for residents to provide for themselves and produce food for the exclusive benefit of their families without the need for a conditional use permit.
B. Keeping of Chickens: Exclusive and independent of the terms and requirements of section 9-27-050 of this chapter and other applicable provisions of this code regarding animal rights, residents may keep and maintain chickens on their property subject to the standards and guidelines of this section. Keeping of chickens according to this section shall be permitted in all residential and agricultural zones; provided, that all standards and provisions of this section can be fully maintained.
C. Standards of Care: The following standards for care of chickens shall be required in all cases where the provisions of this section are applied:
1. Chickens may be kept strictly for familial gain of those residing on the property. There shall be no sale of eggs, poultry or poultry products resulting from the keeping of chickens under this section.
2. Up to six (6) chickens may be kept on any one lot or parcel that is less than or equal to eleven thousand five hundred square feet (11,500 ft2) in size. An additional one (1) chicken is permitted for each additional one thousand five hundred square feet (1,500 ft2) in overall lot or parcel size, up to a maximum of twenty five (25) chickens. Chicks and juvenile chickens (pullets) under the age of six (6) months shall not count toward this limit, however the number of chicks and juvenile chickens being raised simultaneously while keeping chickens shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the maximum number of chickens allowed for the lot or parcel.
3. Chickens may be kept on properties containing a detached single-family dwelling or a detached single-family dwelling with a detached accessory dwelling only, although vacant properties directly adjacent to a lot or parcel containing a detached single-family dwelling or detached single-family dwelling with a detached accessory dwelling under the same ownership may be used for the keeping of chickens. When chickens are kept on a property containing a detached single-family dwelling with a detached accessory dwelling the total number of chickens kept on the property may not exceed the limits based upon lot or parcel size set forth in 9-27-055(C)(2) above.
4. There shall be no roosters or crowing hens.
5. Chickens may not be kept or allowed to roam within the living quarters of a detached single-family dwelling or a detached single-family dwelling with a detached accessory dwelling.
6. All enclosures, pens, coops, and run areas shall be maintained in good condition at all times so as to keep it rodentproof from all sides, including burrowing.
7. Manure shall be removed from the pens, coop, and run areas at least weekly or as necessary to prevent insect breeding, vermin attraction, offensive odor, or any other nuisance per Salt Lake Valley health department standards.
8. Compost piles must be at least five feet (5') from the nearest property line and shall be managed in a way that prevents the spread of disease, the propagation or harboring of insects or rodents, the creation of any nuisance, offensive odor at the property line, or any other condition that might adversely affect public health, including noise, as required by Salt Lake Valley health department regulations.
9. All enclosures, pens, coops, and run areas shall be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
10. All enclosures, pens, coops, and run areas shall be located to the rear of the primary detached single-family dwelling on the property and the yard shall be completely fenced using site obscuring fencing so as to prevent sight of such areas to the greatest degree possible.
11. All animal food storage and feeding areas shall be completely secured from insects, rodents, and other vermin per Salt Lake Valley health department standards.
12. Clean water shall be available to the chickens at all times.
13. All enclosures, pens, coops, compost, and run areas shall be located at least thirty feet (30') from the primary detached single-family dwelling or habitable dwelling on adjoining properties, at least five feet (5') from the property line, and at least ten feet (10') from any structure containing a habitable dwelling on the same property.
14. Dead birds and discarded or rotting eggs shall be removed from the lot or parcel and be properly disposed of within twenty four (24) hours.
15. Chickens may not be permitted to roam beyond the locational requirements for enclosures, pens, coops, and run areas.
16. To prevent disease, all chickens should be vaccinated yearly and appropriate biosecurity measures should be in place using the guidelines of the United States department of agriculture.
D. Runs, Structures, And Coops:
1. Required: The keeping of chickens shall require the provision of a run area and a coop. The coop shall be constructed such that it provides adequate shelter and space for chickens to roost. Run areas shall be connected to the provided coop and provide some method by which chickens are not allowed to freely roam beyond the run area, including flying out of run area.
2. Structures: Structures and coops used for the keeping and feeding of chickens according to this section shall be designed and constructed:
a. With solid walls on all sides, exclusive of openings for animals and access to animals;
b. With a solid roof;
c. So as to prevent intrusion, including by burrowing, from all types of rodents, vermin, and predatory animals; and
d. Such that they resemble typical accessory buildings and are not unsightly.
3. Permits: Structures or coops of a large enough size, or that are being altered, that would require a building permit shall apply for and be issued such a permit by the city prior to construction or alteration for use for the keeping of chickens.
E. Violations: Violation of any provision of this section may result in immediate removal of any or all chickens. Violations may also be subject to other civil or criminal penalties based on the nature of the violation. (Ord. 892, 6-23-2009; amd. Ord. 1475, 3-2-2021)