(a) General. It shall be unlawful to harbor chickens in any area unless all the following conditions and requirements are met:
(1) The chickens are harbored on a residential parcel located in a R-E Estate, R-1, or R-2 zoning district containing a minimum 10,000 square feet of parcel.
(2) No more than six chickens arc to be harbored on any parcel.
(3) All chickens shall have access to feed and clean, unfrozen water at all times. The feed and water shall not be available to rodents, wild birds, or predators, including but not limited to dogs, raccoons, or opossums. All feed shall be stored in a reasonable, airtight, predator proof container.
(4) Chicken waste shall be stored in a reasonable airtight, predator proof container and disposed of weekly with trash collection service.
(5) Chickens shall be harbored for personal use only. No person shall sell or barter eggs or engage in chicken breeding or fertilizing production for commercial purposes.
(6) No chickens shall be slaughtered on-site.
(7) No roosters shall be kept or harbored on the parcel at any time.
(8) From dusk to dawn, all chickens shall be harbored in a single chicken coop located on the parcel that meets all the following conditions and requirements:
A. The chicken coop shall be located in the rear yard of the parcel, provide shelter to harbored chickens from weather and predators, contain a solid material roof, and allowing for adequate ventilation.
B. The chicken coop shall provide a minimum of two square feet of enclosed space per chicken, but in no instance shall said enclosed space exceed a maximum of 200 square feet.
C. The maximum height of the chicken coop shall be no more than seven feet at the highest point of the roof.
D. All entrance gates of the chicken coop shall contain a self-latching gate at least three feet above ground level.
E. The chicken coop shall be maintained and regularly cleaned to control dust, odor, and waste so as not to create a nuisance, create a safety hazard, health problem, or unreasonable disturbance to surrounding properties.
(9) From dawn to dusk, the chickens may free range in the area located within the area enclosed in the privacy fence, as described in division 602.03(a)(10) below, or occupy a single chicken run in the rear yard of the parcel that meets all of the following conditions and requirements:
A. The chicken run shall provide a minimum of two square feet of space per chicken and shall adequate ventilation, sunlight and shade, and shall be impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including but not limited to dogs, raccoons, and opossums.
B. The chicken run shall be maintained and shall be regularly cleaned to control dust, odor, and waste so as not to create a nuisance, create a safety hazard, health problem, or unreasonable disturbance to surrounding properties.
(10) A privacy fence with a minimum height of five feet and a maximum height of six feet shall completely enclose the chicken, coop any chicken run, and any area used for free range, and shall meet all of the following conditions and requirements:
A. The privacy fence shall be located in the rear yard of the parcel and shall prevent escape and unwanted entry from people or animals.
B. The privacy fence shall conform to all applicable fencing requirements contained in Section 1256.11, including any requirement lo obtain a separate zoning certificate for the erection of a fence.
C. The area enclosed by the privacy fence shall be maintained and shall be regularly cleaned to control dust, odor, and waste so as not to create a nuisance, create a safety hazard, health problem, or unreasonable disturbance to surrounding properties.
D. The privacy fence, including the area enclosed within the privacy fence, shall be located a minimum of 12 feet from any lot line and shall not be located in any drainage casement, access easement, utility casement, open channel drainage easement, or flood route.
(11) The city or its designee retains the right to inspect at any reasonable hour any area used to harbor chickens under this section.
(b) Permit.
(1) A. Any person desiring to harbor chickens under this section shall first apply to the City for a chicken registration permit, together with paying a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) permit fee. As part of such application, the applicant shall provide:
1. The applicant's full name address, and contact information.
2. A plot plan drawing of the parcel and the intended location for any chicken coop, chicken run, and privacy fence, including information as to size, design, setback from property lines, construction materials, and adequate methods to secure fixtures to the parcel.
3. The number of chickens to be harbored on the parcel.
4. The permit fee, as defined below.
5. Any other information necessary for the Zoning Administrator to consider the applicant's request
B. Any permit granted under this section is nontransferable.
(2) Any permit granted under division 620.03(b) may be revoked upon the determination of the Zoning Administrator that of the following conditions exist at or on the permit parcel:
A. A nuisance exists.
B. Any unsafe, unclean, unhealthy or unsanitary condition exists.
C. Non-compliance with any applicable codified ordinance or applicable provision of the Ohio Revised Code.
D. Any rooster present on the premises.
E. Any sale or barter of eggs, chicken breeding operation, or fertilizing production for commercial purposes.
F. Disrepair of any chicken coop, chicken run, or privacy fence.
G. Any failure to properly maintain and/or remove waste, urine, or manure/feces of the chickens.
H. Any contamination of water supply or water runoff from the permit parcel.
I. Excessive noise or odor.
J. Any threat to public health.
(Ord. 12-2022. Passed 7-21-22.