(a) It shall be unlawful to place or maintain backyard chickens in any area unless the following conditions and requirements are met:
(1) No more than six (6) backyard chickens are permitted per dwelling unit or school.
(2) Roosters and chicks are prohibited. For purposes of this Section, "chicks" shall be defined as young chickens under the age of six (6) months old.
(3) Other poultry or fowl are prohibited. No person may own or keep any other fowl, including ducks, quail, geese, or turkeys.
(4) Backyard chickens are required to be located within a designated chicken coop and chicken run that shall meet the following requirements:
A. The chicken coop and chicken run shall be located in the rear or backyard of owner-occupied, single family a residential properties located in zoning districts designated as R-1, R-2, R-3 or any school property, public or private.
B. Neither the coop nor run shall be located between the rear of the principal structure and the front yard lot line.
C. The coop shall have a minimum thirty feet (30') setback from the rear property line, and ten feet (10') setback from the side property line.
D. Coops shall be predator and rodent resistant with a solid covered roof.
E. Water shall be provided onsite and accessible to chickens at all times.
F. During daylight hours, the chickens shall also have access to the run and chicken coop in order to provide cover in inclement weather and fresh air when the weather is hot.
G. From dusk until dawn, chickens shall be protected from predators by being enclosed within a chicken coop.
H. The maximum chicken coop size is one hundred (100) square feet.
I. A minimum of four (4) square feet of space per chicken shall be provided in both the coop and the run; however, the coop shall provide at least two (2) square feet of space for each chicken.
J. The maximum height of the coop shall be no more the seven feet (7') at the highest point of the roof.
(5) Chicken, Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be maintained and shall be regularly cleaned to control dust, odor, and waste so as to not create a nuisance, constitute a safety hazard, health problem or unreasonable disturbance to surrounding properties.
(6) No on-site slaughtering is allowed.
(7) Chicken feed shall be stored in a reasonable, airtight, predator proof container.
(8) Chicken waste shall only be stored in a reasonable, airtight, predator proof container or buried in order for it to be used as compost.
(b) Commercial Uses Prohibited. Chickens shall be kept for personal use only. No person shall sell or barter eggs or engage in chicken breeding or fertilizing production for commercial purposes.
(c) Appeals and Variances. The Community Development Director exercises enforcement of this section. Appeals and/or requests for variances may be presented in writing to the Community Development Director, who must determine if the request merits consideration, wherein the City Manager may hold a hearing to receive the testimony of the owner and the Community Development Director on whether or not to grant such appeal or variance request. The City Manager must notify Council of all variances granted. A denial of such appeal may be reviewed by Council at the request of the applicant. Council may grant such requests, giving consideration to the testimony, by a majority vote of the members present.
(d) Penalties for Violations. Violations of this Section shall be subject to the Civil Penalties as provided by Section 501.03 of the Codified Ordinances.
(Ord. 2018-116. Passed 10-17-18; Ord. 2019-107. Passed 9-18-19.)