(A) Nuisance declared.
(1) It is hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance affecting the public peace, safety and welfare for an owner or resident within the city to keep or raise any farm animal, except as noted below.
(a) Residents on properties zoned R-1, single-family residential, may be permitted to keep and raise up to 12 chickens and/or ducks under the following conditions and restrictions.
1. Residents seeking approval to keep and raise chickens or ducks shall submit an application, application fee, site plan and coop specifications incorporating generally held best practices. Initial applications shall be considered by the City Council after holding a public hearing on the matter. Renewals may be approved administratively unless the city has received substantiated complaints or related violations have been noted during the previous year.
2. Coop structures shall be set back at least 20 feet from property lines and the subject home; coops shall only be located in rear yards. New coops shall require a permit and shall be considered an accessory building subject to all other conditions referenced in Ch. 160 of this code of ordinances.
3. Coops and the subject property shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner and may be subject to city inspection as may be deemed necessary.
4. Backyard areas shall be fenced to confine chickens or ducks to subject property.
5. Neither roosters, nor drakes, shall be permitted.
6. No slaughtering or beheading shall be permitted on the subject premises.
7. Food shall be stored in water-tight, rodent-proof containers.
8. Permits expire on December 31 of each year and shall be renewed annually. Permits may be revoked or denied by the City Council based on cruelty, negligence or nuisance. In such event, the property owner shall be provided with an opportunity to be heard.
(Prior Code, § 701.06)
(b) Residents on properties zoned R-1. single-family residential, may be permitted to keep and raise honeybees under the following conditions and restrictions.
1. Residents seeking approval to keep and raise honeybees shall submit an application, application fee and site plan. Applications shall be considered by the City Council which shall hold a public hearing on the matter.
2. Applicants for a beekeeping license shall provide proof of applicable training or provide a waiver indicating how required experience has been obtained.
3. Hives shall only be located in rear yards and be set back at least ten feet from property lines and subject home, and at least 25 feet from any public trail or walkway. No more than four hives shall be permitted. Hive openings shall face in toward subject property’s backyard.
4. A clean water source shall be provided on the subject property.
5. A beekeeper may receive temporary allowance for an additional hive in the event a swarm is collected and until a new home is found for the colony. In no event shall temporary allowance exceed six months.
6. Equipment shall be maintained in good condition in accordance with accepted best management practices. Unused beekeeping equipment shall be properly disposed of or stored indoors.
7. Licenses are valid indefinitely so long as the hives are operated continuously. License may be revoked or denied by the City Council based on negligence or nuisance. In such event, the property owner shall be provided with an opportunity to be heard. Licenses shall expire upon lapse in use for a period exceeding two years or upon a transfer of property ownership.
(2) Restrictions. It is unlawful for a dog owner to keep or raise more than two dogs, except as allowed under § 90.003(H) of this chapter. It is unlawful to keep or raise a domestic or farm animal if it creates a public nuisance and adversely affects the public health and welfare.
(3) Investigation of complaints. It shall be the duty of any police officer and the Police Department to investigate all complaints submitted to the Council regarding domestic or farm animals. After investigation, if there appears to be a violation of this chapter, the investigating officer shall issue a citation.
(Ord. 696, passed 04-22-2002; Ord. 903, passed 06-22-2015; Ord. 908, passed 09-14-2015; Ord. 953, passed 12-10-2018; Ord. 1001, passed 3-13-2023) Penalty, see § 90.999