(A) Domesticated chickens.
(1) The keeping of chickens in the village supports a local, sustainable food system by providing an affordable, nutritious source of protein through fresh eggs.
(2) The keeping of chickens also provides free, quality, nitrogen-rich fertilizer, chemical-free pest control and animal companionship.
(3) (a) The purpose of this subchapter is to provide standards for the keeping of domesticated chickens. It is intended to enable residents to keep a small number of female chickens on a noncommercial basis while limiting the potential adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.
(b) The village recognizes that adverse neighborhood impacts may result from the keeping of domesticated chickens as a result of noise, odor, unsanitary animal living conditions, unsanitary waste storage and removal, the attraction of predators, rodents, insects or parasites and non-confined animals leaving the owner’s property.
(c) This subchapter is intended to create licensing standards and requirements that ensure that domesticated chickens do not adversely impact the neighborhood surrounding the property on which the chickens are kept.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CHICKEN PEN. A wire enclosure connected to a henhouse for the purpose of allowing chickens to leave the henhouse while remaining in an enclosed, predator-safe environment.
HENHOUSE. A structure for the sheltering of female chickens. An existing shed or garage can be used for this purpose if it meets the standards contained in this subchapter.
(C) Permit required. An annual permit is required for the keeping of any domesticated chickens in the village.
(D) Fee. The fee for an annual permit to keep chickens is as set out in the fee schedule in Ch. 39 of this code.
(E) Number and type of chickens allowed.
(1) The maximum number of chickens allowed is four per lot.
(2) Only female chickens are allowed.
(3) There is no restriction on chicken species.
(Prior Code, § 90.11) (Ord. passed 2-7-2012) Penalty, see § 90.99