(A) Only laying hens from chicken breeds are permitted in town. Chickens must be female and used for egg laying only. The following types of chickens and chicken services/products are not permitted:
(1) Males (Roosters or Capons);
(2) Meat breeds; or
(3) Commercial sales of eggs or hatching of chicks.
(B) No more than eight laying hens are permitted on a residential lot. If the property owner has two lots, then up to 16 laying hens are permitted.
(C) Each lot must be at least 5,000 square feet.
(D) Chickens must be housed in an approved chicken coop or pen, which must receive Council approval prior to building or purchasing.
(1) The coop or shelter must be fully contained (including roof), be well ventilated, be fully screened in openings, and have at least one square foot per bird.
(2) The coop or shelter must be fully screened and buffered by fencing and/or vegetation so as not to be visible from any public right-of-way or street.
(3) The coop or shelter must be designed in compliance with any state standards or regulations pertaining to livestock or animal protection and/or health standards.
(E) Structures must be placed at least 20 feet from neighboring property line.
(F) Structures may not be located in the front of a residence.
(G) Pens must be kept clean and regularly have bedding and nesting material changed. Applicants are not permitted to have open compost piles or place materials in town compost areas.
(H) Chickens must receive clean water and food regularly and eggs must be gathered regularly. Feed, scratch, and other edibles must be stored in sealed containers.
(I) Applicants are not permitted to have “free range” chickens or chickens running at large. Outdoor enclosures are permitted and encouraged; these should not exceed more than 50 square feet unless Council approval is granted.
(J) The slaughtering or disposal of chickens is not permitted in town.
(K) Renters are prohibited from applying for this permit unless written approval from landlord is obtain and a written authorization is attached to this application.
(L) The applicant agrees to have a representative from the Council evaluate the proposed area to ensure it meets requirements set forth in the ordinance and application. Should the Council be denied access, the application will be rejected and returned to applicant.
(M) The applicant agrees to all items expressed above and agrees to receive up to a $100 per day fine if found in violation of this application which also serves as an agreement between the property owners or tenant and the borough.
(N) The applicant understands if any legal action occurs, they will be responsible for any and all legal fees acquired by Summerhill.
(O) The applicant acknowledges no chickens may be placed or maintained on a lot until a permit is issued by the borough. The permit shall be issued after an inspection is performed confirming compliance with the requirements of § 5-2004 and upon payment of a $50 application fee. The permit shall be valid for one year and must be renewed annually after inspection and payment of the required $25 fee.
(P) A building permit is also required for the placement of the coop/pen and must be obtained by contacting Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency (phone: (814)-471-0424).
(Q) Incomplete applications will be rejected and returned.
(R) If property is unable to be viewed or inspected, the application will be rejected and returned. If a permit has already been issued, the permit will be revoked.
(Ord. 2023-01, passed 2-14-2023) Penalty, see § 90.99