(a) It shall be unlawful to place or maintain backyard chickens and the following other domesticated fowl: ducks, geese, quail, turkeys, guinea fowl, and peafowl in any area unless the following conditions and requirements are met:
(1) No chickens or other domesticated fowl permitted by this section may be kept in a residential zoning district except on a parcel that is at least one (1) acre in area.
(2) Facilities. Chickens and other domesticated fowl permitted by this section are required to be kept and located within a designated coop or cage with a run or outdoor enclosure that shall meet the following requirements:
A. The coop or cage and run shall be located only in the rear yard of owner-occupied, single-family residential properties or any school property, public or private.
B. No coop or cage or run shall be located between the rear of the principal structure on the parcel and the front yard lot line.
C. The coop or cage shall have a minimum thirty (30)-foot setback from the rear property line, and thirty (30)-foot setback from the side property lines and shall have a minimum setback of one hundred fifty (150) feet from any public street.
(3) If backyard chickens or other domesticated fowl, or coops or outdoor enclosures become a nuisance, habitually and unreasonably disturb the tranquility of the surrounding neighborhood, or become a health or safety hazard, the Building Official has the authority to order the chicken or other domesticated fowl removed from the Municipality.
(4) No on-site slaughtering shall be allowed except for personal consumption by the occupants of the residential premises.
(b) Commercial Uses Prohibited. Chickens and other domesticated fowl permitted by this section shall be kept for personal use only. No person shall sell eggs or engage in breeding or fertilizer sales for commercial purposes.
(c) Appeals and Variances. The Building Official has the authority to exercise enforcement of this section. Appeals and/or requests for variances may be presented in writing to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Upon its review and giving consideration to the testimony, the Board of Zoning Appeals may by a majority vote of its members either uphold, grant or deny the appeal or variance request.
(d) Penalties for Violations. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, and shall be subiect to penalties and sentencing as provided by Chapter 598 of the Codified Ordinances.
(Ord. 2022-27. Passed 2-14-23.)