(A) Chickens and rabbits shall be allowed to be kept in the town on parcels of land not less than 10,000 square feet in area, in strict accordance with all of the following requirements:
(1) A chicken is a gallus gallus domesticus, a domestic bird typically kept on a farm. This definition does not include other fowl, such as, but not limited to, peacocks, turkeys, or waterfowl.
(2) No roosters (male chickens) shall be kept under the provisions of this section .
(3) Chickens and rabbits must be kept completely and securely enclosed and under the control of the owner and on the owner's property at all times.
(4) A chicken coop, rabbit enclosure, an enclosed structure for harboring chickens that provides shelter from the elements, shall be provided. The chicken coop must provide adequate sun, shade, and ventilation and must be impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including cats and dogs and must provide at least ten square feet of space per chicken kept therein. No structure shall exceed 75 total square feet in size. No structure shall be more than ten feet in height. The structure shall be situated a minimum of ten feet from all property lines. For corner lots, the structure shall be situated as near as possible to the middle of the lot. The Town Manager or designee shall approve the location of structures on all corner lots.
(5) Chickens and rabbits shall be provided with access to feed and clean water at all times.
(6) All feed for said chickens and rabbits shall be stored in containers so as to protect against intrusion by rodents and vermin.
(7) The chicken coop and rabbit enclosure shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in compliance with all applicable health regulations of the State of Indiana, Lake County, and the town.
(8) Chickens, chicken coops, and rabbit enclosures shall be confined to the rear yard of the property.
(9) Any chickens and rabbits kept in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be for non-commercial, personal use only and may not be slaughtered on the property.
(l0) Any violations of this section shall be subject to applicable penalties set forth in § 92.26.
(B) Horses. One horse or pony may be kept in a private stable if such lot or tract contains at least ten acres.
(C) Any area now within the corporate limits or hereafter annexed which is now used as part of a farming operation, saddle club, veterinarian, sale barn, 4-H fairground, and associated activities may continue such usage.
(D) This section shall not be construed to contravene the Zoning Code.
(Ord. 2019-15, passed 9-9-19)