[Adopted during codification (see Ch. 1,
General Provisions, Art. II)]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The breeding or quartering of animals customarily found on
a farm, including but not limited to horses, cows, ponies, sheep,
goats, chickens, ducks or other fowl, or other farm animals. This
term shall not include the keeping of cats, dogs or other domestic
animals.
The raising and keeping of livestock, as defined in § 69-26, is prohibited in the Borough of Haddonfield.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Chief
of Police of the Borough of Haddonfield or or his or her designee.
[Added 12-27-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
A.
Chickens permitted. The keeping of "backyard chickens" shall be permitted
in the Borough of Haddonfield subject to the rules and regulations
as specified in this article.
B.
Location; number allowed.
(1)
Chicken coops and enclosed chicken runs must be set back at
least 20 feet from any structure owned by another and used for human
habitation, occupation or assembly.
(2)
The coup must be set back no less than five feet from any property
line.
(3)
No chickens shall be permitted to run or stray within 20 feet
of such structure.
(a)
Chickens may roam outside of the coop area in a back yard suitably
fenced to keep them contained provided that a resident age 18 or older
is present the entire time.
(4)
Chicken coops and enclosed chicken runs are permitted in the
rear yard only.
(5)
No roosters are permitted.
(6)
In no case shall any person or persons be permitted to keep
more than four chickens on a single property in the first year of
a license and no more than eight chickens thereafter.
C.
Creation of Backyard Chicken Advisory Committee. A volunteer Backyard
Chicken Advisory Committee (BCAC), consisting of five member residents
of the Borough shall be formed. The Chair will be appointed to a one-year
term by the Commissioners. The Chair will select the other four members,
with approval of the Governing Body, who will also serve for one-year
terms. Besides the Chair, one member will be appointed Vice-Chair,
one member will be appointed Secretary of the Board and the remaining
members will be at-large. The Board shall meet on a regular basis
and keep minutes which shall be submitted along with quarterly reports
to the Governing Body. These reports will include any activities of
the Board, as well as any complaints from residents concerning backyard
chickens and the resolution, if any, of those complaints.
D.
License required; fee; expiration.
(1)
No person shall keep chickens on their property without having
first obtained a license from the Backyard Chicken Advisory Committee
(BCAC) and approved by the Borough Board of Commissioners.
(a)
Approvals shall be given in writing from both the BCAC and Board
of Commissioners.
(b)
To be approved for a license, applicant will be required to
show proof of completion of formal training from the BCAC or another
entity approved by the BCAC regarding proper care and maintenance
of the backyard chickens.
(2)
The annual fee shall be in the amount of $50 and shall expire
on December 31 of each year.
E.
Backyard chicken maintenance requirements. The following regulations
and conditions for the keeping and housing of chickens shall be complied
with:
(1)
The coop shall be dry and well ventilated, with windows so placed,
if possible, to admit sunlight.
(2)
The coop shall be whitewashed or painted therein.
(3)
The coop shall be cleaned at least once a week between November
1 and May 1, twice a week between May 1 and November 1 and, if necessary,
be cleaned more often and be disinfected.
(4)
Perches shall be removable and kept clean.
(5)
The coop shall be the appropriate size for the number of chickens.
(6)
The coop and enclosed run must be made predator proof.
(7)
The maximum permitted area of any chicken coop is 100 square
feet, regardless of zoning requirements pertaining to impervious and
building coverage.
(8)
The maximum permitted height of any chicken coop, whether stacked
or not, is seven feet from natural grade.
(9)
Chicken feed must be kept tightly closed in a metal container
away from the coop and run.
(10)
Drinking fountains in the area where the coop is located shall
be cleaned and free from odors.
(11)
Coops shall be inspected annually by the issuing authority or
upon receipt of acomplaint. Property owner shall grant access for
the coops to be inspected.
(12)
The selling of eggs is prohibited.
(13)
Slaughtering chickens is not permitted.
F.
Enforcement. The BCAC shall enforce all provisions of this section
and may request the assistance of other Borough Departments or outside
agencies as necessary to ensure compliance by all permit holders.
(1)
Upon complaint or discovery that a permit holder is not adhering
to the standards of chicken raising per the BCAC training, the BCAC
will investigate the issue.
G.
Revocation due to environmental changes. Whenever, in the opinion
of the BCAC, the environment in an area has changed since granting
the license to keep and maintain chickens therein to such an extent
that the maintenance thereof may constitute a nuisance, such license
may be revoked by the BCAC.
H.
Procedure for revocation or suspension hearing. The BCAC is hereby
empowered to suspend or revoke the license held by any person who
violates any of the provisions of this article.
