As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any female of the chicken species.
[Adopted 9-18-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-016; amended 11-13-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-023]
No more than 12 chicken hens shall be allowed on properties of less than one acre in accordance with the provisions of § 500-90B(3) of the Township Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The number of chicken hens allowed was changed from six to 12 pursuant to Ord. No. 2021-002, adopted 2-3-2021.
A.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, chicken hens shall be housed and kept in a manner which will not constitute a public or neighborhood nuisance. Chicken hens shall not be permitted to fly or run at large.
B.
All chickens hens shall be housed in coops or structures that are properly designed for such use and completely separated from any building utilized for dwelling purposes.
C.
Coops and runs shall be restricted to the rear yard area and shall adhere to the applicable side and rear yard setbacks pursuant to § 500-12 of Chapter 500, Zoning. The setback requirement for accessory buildings and structures from other buildings set forth in § 500-12 shall not apply to coops and runs.
D.
The Zoning Officer shall approve the structures prior to their installation with the issuance of a zoning permit.
E.
No chicken hens shall be kept unless they can be contained on the property of their owner or the agent of their owner.
A.
Chicken hen manure may be applied to garden soil and incorporated into the soil.
B.
Chicken hen manure shall not be used on the surface of any property or portion thereof in a manner similar to that used in the laying of mulch or topsoil.
C.
Chicken hen manure may be composted in such a way as to minimize any fly and odor problems.
D.
Chicken hen manure may be bagged and removed from the premises.
E.
Chicken hen manure may not be stored, composted or applied to soil within 10 feet of the property line.
F.
There shall be no runoff of chicken hen manure to neighboring properties.
All parties seeking to house, keep or maintain chicken hens on properties of less than one acre in size in the Township of West Milford shall comply with the provisions of this legislation.
A.
All enforcement agents of the Township shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this article. Such enforcement agents shall include but not be limited to the Zoning Officer, the Construction Code Official, the Health Officer and his staff, the Animal Control Officer and/or the Police Department.
B.
Penalties may include the removal of chicken hens from the property.
C.
Summonses for noncompliance with any provision hereof may be issued by the appropriate enforcement officials.
D.
Penalties may be imposed by the Municipal Court Judge up to the maximum penalty allowed by law.