(a) The regulations of this section are established to permit the keeping of farm animals in a manner that prevents nuisances to occupants of nearby properties and prevents conditions that are unsanitary or unsafe.
(b) The keeping of chickens, ducks, and rabbits, and the cages, coops, and enclosures for the keeping of such animals in residential districts shall be governed by the following regulations:
(1) Number. No more than six such animals shall be kept on a parcel of land used or zoned as a residential lot.
(2) Horses and Ponies. No person shall keep or raise any horse or pony within the Municipality without having first obtained an application form and registration as prescribed by the Division of Animal Control and shall set forth the name, age, breed, description and any special markings peculiar to such animal and the name, address, and telephone number of the owner and/or keeper of such animal. The fee for such permit shall be five dollars ($5.00) for each animal so registered. The City must be notified upon any changes to the registration such as acquiring a new farm animal or upon the death of a farm animal. All persons must conform to the zoning laws of the City.
(3) Prohibited Animals. No roosters, geese, turkeys, peacocks, Guineafowl, cows, steer, camelidae, goats, sheep, or pigs may be kept in any residential district. No predatory birds may be kept on any residential property.
(4) Coops, Cages and Enclosures. Chickens, ducks, and rabbits shall be provided with a covered, predatory-proof coop, cage or enclosure that is thoroughly ventilated, designed to be easily accessed and cleaned, and of sufficient size to permit free movement of the animals exclusive of areas used for storage of materials. The total area of all coops, cages or enclosures on a lot shall not be greater than thirty-two square feet for up to six animals. Coops, cages, and enclosures singly or in combination shall not exceed twelve feet in height. All coops must comply with the zoning laws of the City.
(5) Enclosures and Fences. Chickens and other birds shall have access to an outdoor enclosure adequately fenced or otherwise bounded to contain the birds on the property and to prevent access by dogs and other predators and providing at least ten square feet of area for each bird.
(6) Sanitation and Nuisances. Farm animals shall be kept only in conditions that limit odors and noise and the attraction of insects and rodents so as not to cause a nuisance to occupants of nearby buildings or properties and not to cause health hazards. Furthermore, farm animals.shall not be kept in a manner that is injurious or unhealthful to the animals being kept on the property.
(7) Animal or Bird Noise. It shall be unlawful for any person or party operating or occupying any building or premises to keep or allow to be kept any animal or bird that makes noise so as to habitually disturb the peace and quiet of any person in the vicinity of the premises.
(8) Building Permits. A building permit shall be required for the installation of a fence or for construction of a stable or other structure routinely requiring such permit, except that no building permit shall be required for cages or coops that are not permanently attached to the ground.
(9) Enforcement. The Division of Building and/or Animal Control shall have the authority to inspect any property to determine compliance with the regulations of this Section regarding the construction and permitted placement of enclosures, fences, cages, coops, stables, and other structures used in the keeping of farm animals and shall have the authority to enforce the regulations of this Section as they apply to such matter.
(Ord. 2022-45. Passed 5-24-22)