(A) Intent and purpose. It is the intent and purpose of this section to set standards for the limited keeping of chickens in the City of Mayer.
(B) Conditions. The limited keeping of chickens may be permitted as one additional accessory use to a detached single-family property dwelling unit subject to the following:
(1) The owner of the chickens shall live in the dwelling on the property and the property owner is in receipt of a license as required by this subchapter.
(2) No more than five total hen chickens shall be kept on the single-family dwelling unit property.
(3) No roosters or adult male chickens shall be kept on the single-family dwelling unit property.
(4) All chickens shall be kept within a separate enclosed building and/or fenced outdoor containment area subject to the following:
(a) The building shall be less than 120 square feet in size and not exceed six feet in height.
(b) The building shall comply with all setbacks and other standards for accessory buildings, unless otherwise stated herein.
(c) Any outdoor containment area, run or exercise yard shall be screened from view from all neighboring properties and rights-of-way. Outdoor containment areas shall not exceed 20 square feet per bird and shall be enclosed by a fence not to exceed six feet in height.
(d) Any building or containment area shall be located in the rear yard only and shall be at least 50 feet from adjacent habitable structures.
(e) Fencing used to contain chickens shall comply with applicable conditions of the City Code, but in any event shall be sufficient to contain the chickens from being able to leave the site.
(f) Chickens shall not be kept within the dwelling unit or garage.
(g) The accessory building and/or containment area shall be maintained in good repair, in a clean and sanitary manner, free of vermin, and free of objectionable odors.
(h) Chickens shall remain in the building and/or containment area at all times and shall not run at large.
(i) Chickens shall remain in the building from sunset to sunrise each day to prevent nuisance noise and the attraction of vermin and predators.
(j) Leg banding of all chickens is required. The bands must identify the owner’s name, address, and telephone number.
(5) The slaughter of chickens on site is prohibited.
(6) The raising of chickens for breeding purposes is prohibited.
(7) The sale of eggs or other commercial activity on the premises is prohibited.
(8) Feces and discarded feed shall be regularly collected and only stored temporarily on site in a leak-proof container with a tight-fitting cover to prevent nuisance odors and the attraction of vermin. Such waste shall not be composted on site.
(9) Chicken feed shall be stored in leak-proof containers with a tight-fitting cover to prevent attracting vermin.
(10) Chicken fighting is prohibited.
(11) Dead chickens must be disposed of according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health Rules which require chicken carcasses to be disposed of as soon as possible after death, usually within 48 to 72 hours. Legal forms of chicken carcass disposal include offsite burial, offsite incineration or rendering, or offsite composting.
(12) The holder of a license who no longer intends to keep chickens or whose license has expired shall notify the city and remove all structures, fences and containment areas where chickens have been kept.
(Ord. 191, passed 2-24-14)