(A) Definitions regarding chickens. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BROODING. The period of chicken growth when supplemental heat must be provided due to the bird’s inability to generate enough body heat.
CHICK. A baby chicken not more than six weeks old.
CHICKEN. A domesticated bird of the order of Galliformes in the genus of Galius (chickens) that serves as a source of eggs or meat.
COCKEREL. A young male chicken.
COOP. The structure for the keeping or housing of chickens permitted by the ordinance.
EXERCISE YARD. A larger fenced area that provides space for exercise and foraging for the birds when supervised.
HEN. A female chicken.
OFFICER. Any person designated by the City Council as an enforcement officer.
PULLET. A young laying chicken, less than one year old.
REVOCABLE PERMIT. It is the purpose and intent of this section to permit the keeping and maintenance of brooding chicks, pullets, and hens for egg and meat sources in a clean and sanitary manner that is not a nuisance to or detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community. The keeping and maintenance of brooding chicks, pullets, and hens is permitted to all residents who comply with all requirements, limitations, or prohibitions of this section. Such permit may be revoked if the person holding the permit refuses or fails to comply with this chapter or with any state or local law governing cruelty to animals or the keeping of animals. Any revocation shall be effective after ten days following written notice thereof to the person or persons keeping or maintaining such chickens. Any person whose permit is revoked within ten days thereafter shall humanely dispose of all chickens being owned, kept, or harbored by such person.
ROOSTER. A male chicken.
RUN. A fully enclosed and covered area attached to a coop where the chickens can roam unsupervised.
(B) Investigation and enforcement. Officers designated by the City Manager shall have authority in the investigation and enforcement of this section, and no person shall interfere with or hinder such officer in the exercise of such powers. The Code Enforcement Officer shall make investigations as is necessary.
(C) Limitations on the number and keeping of chickens. Chickens may only be kept within areas of the city zoned to permit single-family dwellings as outlined: no more than eight laying/meat hens shall be housed or kept on any one residential lot. Residents may possess a like number of brooding or pullet chicks intended for the cyclical replacement of hens, but not for the purpose of sale or resale. Once pullets reach full laying potential, the flock numbers must be returned to no more than eight laying/meat chickens. Roosters and chicken breeding are prohibited. Cockerels must be culled from broods when identified.
(D) Chicken facilities.
(1) A separate coop is required to house the chickens together with a reasonably satisfactory exercise yard, run, or yard fencing so as to keep chickens confined at all times. Chicken facilities must be constructed and maintained to meet the following minimum standards: located in the rear or side yard. Set back is as required by the zoning district for structures on the real property. The housing of chickens on property will require a permit and registration fee payable at City Hall.
(2) Coop construction and materials must be adequate to prevent access by rodents. Coops must be maintained in good repair. Coops or cages housing chickens shall be kept at least 20 feet from the door or window of any dwelling of an occupied structure other than the owner’s dwelling. Coops and manure storage shall be kept 20 feet from streams, tributaries, ditches, storm water management facilities, drop inlets, or other storm drainage areas that would allow fecal matter to enter any city storm drainage system or stream. Dumping chicken manure into the city’s storm drainage system is prohibited.
(3) Chickens must not be housed in a residential house or an attached or detached garage, except for brooding purposes only.
(4) All premises on which chickens are kept or maintained shall be kept clean from filth, garbage, and any substances which attract rodents. The coop and its surrounding area must be cleaned frequently enough to control odor. Manure and coop waste shall not be allowed to accumulate in a way that causes an unsanitary condition or causes odors detectible on another property. Manure and coop waste that is not composted or immediately spread as fertilizer must be secured and double bagged in solid waste bags and kept in a solid waste container. Chickens shall not be kept in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance to the occupants of adjacent property.
(5) Except for chickens properly slaughtered for consumption, dead chickens must be disposed of within 48 hours after death. Legal forms of chicken carcass disposal include burial and off-site incineration or rendering. All slaughtering of chickens shall be conducted so as not to be visible to the public or adjacent property owners and occupants.
(6) All grain and food stored for the use of the chickens shall be kept in a rodent-proof container.
(7) Chickens shall be kept so that visibility is substantially obstructed to the traveling public or surrounding property owners.
(Prior Code, § 6-9-1) (Ord. 502, passed 8-7-2017)