[Adopted during codification (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
RAISING AND KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK
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.
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.
(3) 
Thirty-five licenses may be issued by the BCAC and Board of Commissioners combined in each calendar year.
(a) 
Licenses shall be renewed annually. To be approved for a license, resident will be required to show proof of completion of a class on the basics of raising backyard chickens.
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.
(2) 
Upon notice of need for correction or action, permit holders will have 30 days to remedy the issues.
(a) 
If such concern is not addressed within 30 days the issue is to be turned over to the Borough Code Enforcement for enforcement action under the Code.
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.
(1) 
No license shall be suspended or revoked until after a hearing.
(2) 
A notice of five days, in writing, stating the time and place of such hearing shall be served upon the licensee.