As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CHICKEN RUN
An enclosed area in which chickens and/or flightless ducks
are allowed to walk and run about.
COOP
A small building for housing poultry.
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.
A. Coops and chicken runs shall be located at least 25 feet away from
a doorway, opening or window of an occupied dwelling other than that
of the property owner.
B. The minimum coop shall be solid, vermin- and predator-proof and shall
provide at least three square feet of area per chicken.
C. 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.
D. 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 bird-proof
wire of 1/2 inch hardware cloth.
E. Materials used for making a coop shall be uniform for each element
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 are constructed using the same materials. The use of scrap,
waste board, or similar material is prohibited.
F. The coop shall be painted or stained; the color shall be uniform
around the coop and shall be in harmony with the surrounding area.
G. 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.
H. Coops and chicken runs shall be kept in good repair and must be capable
of being maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free of vermin
and obnoxious odors.
I. 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.
J. Coops and chicken runs shall be open at all times for inspection
by the Borough.
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.
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 threaten public
health. Chickens running at large shall be considered a public nuisance.
The owner shall provide veterinary care if chickens and/or flightless
ducks are known or suspected to be sick or injured.
No person shall slaughter or butcher any chicken within the
Borough.
It shall be unlawful for any person to spread or cause to be
spread or deposited upon any ground or premises within the Borough
any chicken manure. However, chicken manure may be composted on the
property where the chickens are housed and the composted material
then applied to gardens or yards.
Any sale of chicken parts or eggs must comply with state and
federal laws and regulations.
The Borough reserves the right at any time, by ordinance, to
amend or otherwise modify or repeal this chapter.
Should any sentence, section, clause, part or provisions of
this chapter amendment be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the chapter
as a whole, or any part thereof, other than the part declared to be
invalid.