[R.O. 2016 § 205.360; Ord. No. 1032-13 § 2, 7-9-2013; Ord. No. 1509-22, 11-7-2022]
A. 
The keeping of chickens shall be allowed only on detached single-family lots and only under the following conditions:
1. 
Licenses And Fees.
a. 
License applications must be submitted either by an owner-occupant of the property or jointly by a non-owner occupant and a non-occupant owner.
b. 
Upon application submitted with an application fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per household, the City may issue a one-year license if, after inspection, it is shown that location and facilities provided comply with all regulations as set out in this Section.
c. 
The initial license will expire on the last day of June (June 30) following issuance of the license. Renewal licenses will be for the period from July 1 through June 30 and require an inspection by the City. There are no prorated fees.
d. 
A renewal application accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) must be submitted no later than June 30.
2. 
Number Of Chickens Allowed.
a. 
No more than six (6) hens shall be allowed for each single-family dwelling. None shall be allowed in multifamily complexes, including condominiums and duplexes.
b. 
No roosters shall be allowed.
c. 
Although hens are not considered pets, up to six (6) hens will count as one (1) cat or dog when determining the maximum number of pets (cats and dogs) allowed as set out in Section 205.300.
3. 
Enclosure/Containment Requirements.
a. 
Chickens shall not be licensed to run at large.
b. 
Chickens may not be kept inside the habitable areas of the dwelling.
c. 
Chickens shall at all times be safely and securely confined in a fully enclosed coop or a fully enclosed coop and a fenced exercise yard as provided herein. The coop shall be at least sixteen (16) square feet in size.
d. 
Any coop over one hundred twenty (120) square feet will require a building permit. Design and construction of the coop shall be in compliance with City ordinances and building codes related to accessory structures. Design, construction, and location are to be reviewed and approved by City staff. Customary building permit fees will apply.
e. 
The coop shall provide sufficient rain shelter and at least two (2) linear feet of roosting space per chicken.
f. 
The chickens must be adequately confined within a coop that is surrounded by wire netting or other fence to prevent their escape and that is kept in good repair and free of peeling paint, untreated or rotted wood and rust or adequately confined within a coop and a fenced exercise yard, both of which are surrounded by wire netting or other fence to prevent any chicken's escape and that are kept in good repair and free of peeling paint, untreated or rotted wood and rust.
g. 
The coop shall be maintained at all times in a neat, ventilated, safe, and sanitary condition, with adequate space for humane treatment and free from predators.
h. 
A fenced exercise yard must be provided if the coop does not provide at least sixteen (16) square feet per chicken. If an exercise yard is required, it must provide at least ten (10) square feet per chicken. The exercise yard must be kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all times.
i. 
Any manure or other discharges from the chickens shall be collected regularly and properly removed from the premises or tilled into the soil on the premises to prevent the spreading of offensive odors, insects, and disease.
4. 
Distance Regulations.
a. 
Chicken coops or pens may only be kept in a rear yard.
b. 
Chicken coops or pens must be at least forty (40) feet from any part of a residential dwelling or place of business on adjoining properties.
c. 
Chicken coops or pens must be set back at least twenty (20) feet from any side boundary or property line and at least ten (10) feet from any rear boundary or property line.
5. 
Miscellaneous Regulations.
a. 
The occupant may not breed chickens for sale or sell eggs or any other by-products.
b. 
Chicken feed must be stored in verminproof containers.
c. 
No slaughtering of chickens shall be allowed except within a fully enclosed premises completely blocked from public view.
d. 
No chicken shall be allowed to create a nuisance or disturb neighboring residents due to noise, odor, damage, or injury.
e. 
All owners and occupants of premises where one (1) or more chickens are kept, maintained, or allowed to remain, including any holder of a license for the chicken or chickens, shall be jointly responsible for any violations of this Section.
f. 
Any person currently keeping chickens in the City when this Section becomes effective shall be required to comply with this Section within sixty (60) days after the effective date of this Section.
g. 
The keeping of chickens pursuant to a license issued under this Section must also be done in compliance with all other ordinances of the City.
h. 
By applying for a license under this Section, each person submitting the application authorizes City officials at all reasonable times, both before and after a license is given, and in a reasonable manner to enter upon and inspect the property with respect to which such license is applied for to determine whether the keeping of chickens violates this Section or any other applicable ordinances.