(A) A homeowner or a lessee within the city limits may maintain no more than three hens at a residence. The keeping of roosters is prohibited.
(B) In granting permission to raise hens, the hens must be kept in a chicken coop, which shall be within 12 to 24 inches above ground and the legs of the chicken coop must be secured. The chicken coop must have appropriate fencing to prohibit animals such as foxes, coyotes, skunks and dogs from gaining access to the chicken coop. In the event that the security of the chicken coop is breached, the city shall accept no liability for a fence which provided access to the chicken coop.
(C) A chicken coop in which any hens are kept must at all times be clean and sanitary and all manure or droppings shall be removed and properly disposed with frequency to avoid a nuisance arising of odors or breeding of flies or vermin.
(D) In the event that a permit is granted, anyone who is raising hens is prohibited from selling eggs without a permit.
(E) The location of a chicken coop must be a minimum of 75 feet from a neighboring dwelling.
(F) The applicant for city permission to raise chickens must be required to pay an annual fee as per the fee schedule to raise chickens. The City Council, based upon violations of this chapter, including complaint from residents, may revoke a renewal of a permit to raise chickens based upon issues arising from the prior year’s raising of chickens.
(G) At all times a permit holder shall securely confine all hens within an enclosure. The owner or lessee shall not permit any hens to stray or feed upon a public highway, street, alley or public ground nor upon the property of another.
(H) The holder of a permit shall be prohibited from slaughtering any fowl on permitted property within the city limits.
(I) In the event that there is a violation of this chapter the city may immediately revoke the applicant’s permit to raise chickens. A violation of this chapter shall include complaints by residents of the city in regard to noise created by chickens on the premises.
(J) Any violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor.
(2009 Code, § 503.18) (Ord. passed 6-10-2013) Penalty, see § 90.99