Notwithstanding any other provision of the town code, and as provided in this section, the keeping of domestic chickens (excluding roosters) within the town is permitted under the following conditions and with the following limitations:
(A) The keeping of domestic chickens (excluding roosters) is permitted only as an accessory use for a single family detached house in a residential zoning district with a minimum lot size of 21,780 square feet. No roosters (mature male domestic chickens) shall be permitted within the town limits.
(B) No more than a total of 6 domestic chickens may be kept or maintained on a single premises. This section is effective June 1, 2014. Any property owner owning or harboring more than 6 chickens as of the effective date must register his or her chickens within 45 days of the effective date to be considered exempt from this limitation.
(C) No person shall allow any chickens to roam free for any reason. Chickens found at large shall be impounded.
(D) A coop will be considered as an accessory structure. Coops must be located in the rear yard and at least seven-and-a-half feet from all property lines. If any portion of the coop is located within 25 feet of a neighbor's dwelling, said coop must be screened from side or rear lot lines with shrubbery or a privacy fence.
(E) Coops must be constructed of sturdy materials, contain runs, and be well-maintained to prevent odor and to discourage fly accumulation. Coops must have fencing to prevent chickens from leaving the coop area and be constructed in a manner to deter predators. Coops shall be 6 sided (4 sides, a bottom, and a top). Coops shall contain at least 2 square feet in bottom surface area per chicken.
(F) Slaughter is not allowed on the premises.
(G) Chickens shall not be kept or used for commercial purposes.
(H) Inspection of the property and coop by a Town Police Officer is required prior to a permit being issued.
(I) A permit to keep chickens on designated property is required. Permits shall be issued by Town Administration. The permit cost is $20. A permit may be revoked by the Police Chief or his/her designee upon the second conviction in municipal court in a permit year for a violation of this section on the permitted property. A permit may be denied on the ground that a previous permit for the applicant or for a related or affiliated person residing on the property has been revoked. A person whose permit is revoked or denied may appeal to the Town Administrator whose decision, after notice and hearing, shall constitute the final administrative action of the city.
(J) Town Police Officers may conduct inspection of all permitted properties at any time.
(K) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Town Code, the penalty for a first conviction in municipal court for a violation of this section shall be a fine of $50. The penalty for all subsequent convictions in municipal court for violations of this section shall be a fine of $100 per violation.
(Am. Ord. passed 5-20-2014)