[Ord. No. 12-20, 9-11-2012; Ord. No. 24-04, 4-9-2024]
A. 
Keeping of up to four chickens on an occupied principally residential lot shall be allowed, provided that:
(1) 
No person shall keep any rooster.
(2) 
The chickens shall be used only for non-commercial household egg production. Selling eggs and slaughtering chickens shall be prohibited.
(3) 
The chickens shall be provided with a clean, covered, well-ventilated enclosure that is secure from predators.
(4) 
The chickens must be kept in the covered enclosure or within a fenced area at all times.
(5) 
No enclosure shall be located closer than 25 feet to an occupied residential dwelling, 20 feet to a side yard line and five feet to a rear lot line.
B. 
Any person who keeps chickens under this section shall comply with all City and Virginia laws, ordinances, and regulations regarding care, shelter, sanitation, health, noise, cruelty, neglect, reasonable control, and any other requirements pertaining to the adequate care and control of animals in the City.
C. 
The City Manager may address any condition related to chicken-keeping that constitutes a public nuisance as defined in City Code Chapter 59, including, but not limited to, chickens running at large, unsanitary conditions, or excessive noise, using the nuisance abatement procedures contained therein.
D. 
The City's Property Maintenance Official may address any violation of this article associated with the keeping of chickens through the issuance of a criminal summons or through a written notice of violation. The notice of violation shall conform to the requirements set forth in City Code § 59-5, "Notice to abate." However, the failure of the person responsible to abate the violation within the time provided shall result in the issuance of a criminal summons for the violation.
[Ord. No. 12-21, 9-11-2012; Ord. No. 24-04, 4-9-2024]
A. 
Keeping of up to two hives of honeybees on an occupied, principally residential lot shall be allowed, provided that:
(1) 
No hive shall be located closer than 10 feet to any side property line or public sidewalk or closer than five feet to a rear property line.
(2) 
A constant supply of fresh water shall be provided on the lot, within 20 feet of all hives.
(3) 
A flyway barrier at least six feet in height shall shield any part of a property line that is within 25 feet of a hive, or facing a hive opening. The flyway barrier shall consist of a wall, solid fence, dense vegetation or a combination thereof.
B. 
The City Manager may address any condition related to beekeeping that constitutes a public nuisance as defined in City Code, Chapter 59, including, but not limited to, aggressive bees or overcrowded hives, using the nuisance abatement procedures contained therein.
C. 
The City's Property Maintenance Official may address any violation of this article associated with beekeeping through the issuance of a criminal summons or through a written notice of violation. The notice of violation shall conform with the requirements set forth in City Code § 59-5, "Notice to abate." However, the failure of the person responsible to abate the violation within the time provided shall result in the issuance of a criminal summons for the violation.