[HISTORY: Articles I and II adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Osborne (now Glen Osborne) as indicated in article histories. Subsequent articles adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Glen Osborne as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-16-1982 by Ord. No. 286]
[Amended 7-15-1997 by Ord. No. 341; 6-21-2016 by Ord. No. 411[1]]
From and after the effective date of this article, it shall be unlawful for any person, individual, partnership or corporation to maintain or keep within the limits of the Borough of Glen Osborne any geese, ducks, pigeons, goats, hogs, cows, ponies, horses, monkeys or any animals or fowl of the barnyard classification deemed to be a health nuisance, except:
A. 
Chickens permitted; roosters prohibited.
(1) 
From and after the effective date of this article, it shall be lawful to keep and maintain chickens in the Borough subject to the terms, conditions, and regulations of this article. No residence shall contain at any one time more than six hens over the age of one month. The number of chickens authorized shall comply with the following:
(a) 
The minimum occupied residential parcel permitted for maintaining chickens is 6,000 square feet.
(b) 
For the first 6,000 to 10,000 square feet of any occupied residential parcel, up to four chickens.
(c) 
For each additional 2,500 square feet of any occupied residential parcel over 10,000 square feet, one additional chicken up to a maximum of six.
(2) 
Chickens shall be permitted only in the residential zoning districts.
(3) 
No person shall keep or harbor any rooster within the Borough.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHICKEN RUN
An enclosed area in which chickens are allowed to walk and run about.
COOP
A small building for housing poultry.
C. 
Permits.
(1) 
No person may own, keep, or harbor any chickens within the Borough without first obtaining a permit from the Borough Secretary. An application for a permit shall be made in writing and on such forms or in such format as established by the Borough, and shall be accompanied by the prescribed permit fee in the amount established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council.
(2) 
No person shall erect, alter, relocate, or expand a coop without first obtaining a permit from the Borough Secretary. The issuance of a permit shall not obviate the necessity for compliance with all other Borough ordinances. Nonproperty owners that wish to keep chickens on property that the nonproperty owner is renting must include written permission from the property owner or landlord that explicitly indicates that the nonproperty owner has permission to own chickens on the subject property. Such written permission shall be supplied to the Borough as part of the chicken permit application.
D. 
Coops. All chickens must be kept in a coop, chicken run, or fenced area at all times. During daylight hours, chickens may have access to outdoors via a chicken run. Chickens may also be allowed in a securely fenced yard if supervised so that they cannot stray beyond the premises on which they are secured. The chickens shall be secured within the coop during nondaylight hours.
(1) 
Coops and chicken runs shall be located at least 30 feet away from a doorway, opening or window of an occupied dwelling other than that of the property owner.
(2) 
The minimum coop shall be solid, vermin and predator proof and shall provide at least three square feet of area per chicken.
(3) 
The chicken run shall be adequately fenced to contain the chickens on the property and to prevent predators from gaining access to the chicken run.
(4) 
Coops shall be enclosed on all sides, and shall have a roof and doors. Access doors must be able to be shut and locked at night. Openings, windows, and vents must be covered with vermin-, predator- and birdproof wire of one-half-inch hardware cloth.
(a) 
Materials used for making a coop shall be uniform for each clement of the enclosure such that the walls are made of the same material, the roof has the same shingles or other covering, and any windows or opening arc constructed using the same materials. The use of scrap, waste board, or similar material is prohibited.
(b) 
The coop shall be painted or stained; the color shall be uniform around the coop and shall be in harmony with the surrounding area.
(c) 
Coop location shall be limited to side or back yards.
(5) 
Coops and chicken runs shall be designed to provide safe and healthy living conditions for the chickens and shall provide shade in the warm weather, suitable protection from inclement weather, and adequate ventilation.
(6) 
Coops and chicken runs shall be kept in good repair and must he capable of being maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free of vermin and obnoxious odors.
(7) 
Coops and chicken runs must reasonably prevent the chickens from running at large. Chickens will be considered running at large within the meaning of this section when off the permit holder's premises.
(8) 
Coops and chicken runs shall be open at all times for inspection by the Borough.
E. 
Feed and water. Chickens shall be provided with access to feed and clean water at all times. All feed, water, and other such items associated with the keeping of chickens shall be properly stored in a clean and sanitary manner so as to prevent the infestation of rats, mice, or other rodents or vectors.
F. 
Nuisance. No person shall keep or harbor chickens in the Borough in a manner that creates an offensive odor, excessive noise, or unsanitary conditions which disturb neighboring residences or threatens public health. Chickens running at large shall be considered a public nuisance.
G. 
Veterinary care. All chickens shall be afforded veterinary care if they are known or suspected to be sick or injured.
H. 
Slaughtering. No person shall slaughter or butcher any chicken within the Borough.
I. 
Waste storing and removal. All chicken droppings shall be disposed of pursuant to Borough ordinances and regulations.
J. 
Composting. It shall be lawful for any person to spread or cause to be spread or deposited any chicken manure upon any ground or premises within the Borough but only if done in accordance with recognized composting customs and practices.
K. 
Sale of chicken parts or eggs. Any sale of chicken parts or eggs must comply with state and federal laws and regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 3 of this ordinance provided that any person, firm, corporation, or group of individuals found in violation of this ordinance shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of up to $600 and may be sentenced to a period of incarceration not exceeding 90 days in the Allegheny County Jail; each incident in violation of this ordinance shall be considered a separate offense and may be punishable as such; and this penalty shall not preclude the Borough from seeking further relief in law or equity in a court of competent jurisdiction in the commonwealth.
A. 
Any person violating this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than $600 and/or 30 days' imprisonment in the Allegheny County Jail.
[Amended 7-15-1997 by Ord. No. 341]
B. 
Any violation of this article with respect to the maintaining or keeping of one of the animals provided for herein shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.
[Adopted 10-20-1998 by Ord. No. 347]
No person shall keep or harbor any dog, cat, or other animal in the Township so as to create offensive odors, excessive noise or unsanitary conditions which are a menace to the health, comfort or safety of the public, or otherwise permit the commission or existence of a nuisance as defined herein.
Any dog, cat or other animal, which by frequent and habitual barking, howling, screeching, yelping or baying, or in any way or manner disturbs the quiet of any person or the community, or which disturbs or endangers the comfort, repose or health of persons, is hereby declared to be committing a nuisance. No owner or person having custody of such animal shall harbor or permit it to commit such a nuisance.
Any dog, cat or other animal which repeatedly scratches, digs or defecates upon any lawn, tree, shrub, plant, building or any other public or private property, other than the property of the owner or person in charge or control of such animal, is hereby declared to be a nuisance.
No person being the owner or in charge or control of any dog, cat or other animal shall permit such animal to commit a nuisance on any school ground, Borough park or other public property, or upon any private property other than that of the owner or person in charge or control of such dog, cat or other animal without the permission of the owner of such property. Where the owner or person in care or control of such animal immediately removes all feces deposited by such animal and disposes of same in a sanitary manner, such type of nuisance shall be considered abated.
Persons with defective eyesight or hearing while relying upon a dog specifically trained for these purposes shall be exempt from compliance with this article.
Any person violating any provision of this article shall upon conviction thereof be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 and costs of prosecution, for each offense thereof, or to imprisonment for a term of not more than 30 days.