(A) Chickens may only be kept within areas of the city zoned to permit single-family dwellings.
(B) No more than six hens shall be housed or kept on any one residential lot that is less than one acre in size. Residential lots that are one acre in size or larger are allowed to house up to eight hens. Residents may possess a like number of brooding chicks intended for the cyclical replacement of hens, but not for the purpose of sale or resale.
(C) Rooster and chicken breeding are prohibited. Cockerels must be culled from broods when identified.
(D) A coop and a reasonably satisfactory exercise yard, run, or yard fencing is required to house chicken(s). Chicken facilities must be constructed and maintained to meet the following minimum standards:
(1) Located in the rear or side yard;
(2) The setback required for the coop is five feet from the rear and side property lines;
(3) Coop construction and materials must be adequate to prevent access by rodents;
(4) Coops must be maintained in good repair;
(5) Coop size may not exceed 30 square feet;
(6) The run size may not exceed 60 square feet. Fencing shall prevent the entry into or escape of animals into the run;
(7) Fencing materials for the run shall not have openings with a diameter of more than two inches; in case of a wood fence, the gaps shall not be more than two inches;
(8) Coops shall be kept at least 25 feet from the door or window of any dwelling of an occupied structure other than the owner’s dwelling;
(9) Manure storage shall be kept 20 feet from streams, tributaries, ditches, storm water management facilities, drop inlets, or other storm drainage areas that would allow fecal matter to enter any city storm drainage system or stream. Dumping chicken manure into the city’s storm drainage system is prohibited;
(10) Chickens must not be housed in a residential house or an attached or detached garage, except for brooding purposes only; and
(11) All premises on which chickens are kept or maintained shall be kept clean from filth, garbage, and any substances which attract rodents. The coop and its surrounding area must be cleaned frequently enough to control odor. Manure and coop waste and food shall be picked up every 24 hours, thereafter, kept in an airtight and rodent proof container, and properly disposed of thereafter on a routine basis.
(E) Chickens shall not be kept in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance to the occupants of adjacent property.
(F) Dead chickens must be disposed of within 48 hours after death. Legal forms of chicken carcass disposal include burial and off-site incineration or rendering.
(G) All grain and food stored for the use of the chickens shall be kept in a rodent proof container.
(H) Chickens shall be kept so that visibility is substantially obstructed at a height of five feet above ground level to the traveling public or surrounding property owners.
(Ord. 675, passed 12-13-2021) Penalty, see § 90.99