(A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or in the Zoning Ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to stable, maintain or harbor farm livestock, which shall include horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats and fowl within the corporate limits of the town.
(B) However, nothing in this section shall be construed as regulating or prohibiting the keeping of dogs or cats.
(C) Chickens shall be allowed to be kept in the corporate limits of the town in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) There shall be no roosters kept within the town corporate limits.
(2) All harborers of chickens shall:
(a) Operate in such a manner so as to not constitute a public nuisance or disturb neighboring residents due to noise, odor, or damage;
(b) Operate in a manner so as not to pose a threat to public health. Harborers shall isolate chickens which are sick or diseased so as to not endanger the health and well-being of other animals and humans. When necessary for the protection of the public health and safety, the Town Manager and/or any public health official may require that a specified animal be kept confined in a secured enclosure. This provision is subordinate to any local, state, or federal code governing the treatment of chickens in the event of a threat to human health;
(c) Comply with all provisions of applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding general animal care;
(d) Not slaughter chickens on harborer's property;
(e) Keep all chickens completely and securely enclosed and under the control of the harborer and on the harborer's property at all times;
(f) Provide both a chicken coop and attached chicken run that afford a combined 12 square feet per chicken;
(g) Provide a chicken coop and attached chicken run that are clean, dry, and odor-free;
(h) Provide a chicken coop that offers shelter from the elements;
(i) Provide a chicken coop and attached chicken run that, combined, provide adequate ventilation and adequate sun and shade and that are both impermeable to rodents, wild birds and predators, and cats and dogs;
(j) Provide chickens with access to feed and clean water at all times; such feed and water shall remain unavailable to rodents, wild birds and animals, and domesticated pets;
(k) Provide adequate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the chickens by members of the public; and
(l) Keep the chicken coop, chicken run and surrounding area free from trash and accumulated droppings. The harborer shall dispose of
chicken waste and uneaten feed in a timely manner.
(3) The chicken coop and chicken run shall:
(a) Provide a sight fence or shrub screening of at least four feet in height around both coop and run if visible to occupants on neighboring lots; and
(b) Be located at least 15 feet from the property line of any neighboring lot.
(4) All chicken coops and chickens shall comply with the requirements for accessory structures outlined in the town's Zoning Code.
(1989 Code, § 50.01) (Ord. 341, passed 11-17-1966; Am. Ord. 051921A, passed 5-19-2021)