[Adopted 2-12-2018 by Ord. No. 148]
A. 
The purpose of this article is to provide standards for the keeping of domesticated chickens. This article enables residents of single-family, detached, dwellings in all residential zoning districts to keep domesticated chickens on a noncommercial basis as an accessory use to a residence, while limiting the adverse effects of the activity on surrounding properties. Such adverse effects can include noise, odors, unsanitary conditions, attraction of predators, chickens running at large, unsightly conditions, and similar adverse conditions.
B. 
Chickens not to run at large. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any chicken to allow the chicken to run at large off of the property where the chicken or chickens are raised.
C. 
The roaming of chickens on property where chickens are raised. The area where the chicken or chickens are permitted to roam shall be limited to the rear yard and must be enclosed by a fence and screened from view from the public streets and adjacent properties.
D. 
Periodic inspection. North Coventry Township may periodically inspect the facility, upon reasonable notice, to ensure that all conditions of this article are continuously met.
E. 
Shall be kept for noncommercial purposes only. Domesticated chickens shall be kept for noncommercial purposes only; however, the incidental sale of eggs is not prohibited, provided that all other North Coventry Township regulations relating to the accessory sales are met. Slaughtering of hens outdoors is prohibited.
F. 
Enclosed structure or area required. The chickens shall be kept in an enclosed structure or area at all times.
A. 
Minimum lot size: one acre.
B. 
Number of chickens per lot and roaming restrictions.
(1) 
Eight chickens shall be permitted for the first one acre.
(2) 
One additional chicken shall be permitted for each additional 1/4 acre, up to a maximum of 24 chickens per lot.
(3) 
No rooster shall be permitted on any lot less than four acres.
C. 
Setbacks.
(1) 
Chicken henhouses and coops shall be set back not less than 20 feet from the applicant's residence.
(2) 
Chicken runs, pens, henhouses and chicken coops shall be set back from all adjacent residences that are not occupied by the applicant by not less than 50 feet and by not less than 50 feet from any property line. The shelter must be a minimum of 50 feet from all neighboring dwellings. The setback from the fence area and animal house structure shall be at least 50 feet from any property line.
(3) 
All structures relating to chickens must be located in the rear yard of the residence unless a lot of more than three acres does not meet set-back requirements. Shelters then may be placed in front yard, 75 set back from right-of-way.
(4) 
No facility for storing manure or feed shall be located within 100 feet of any adjacent dwelling not occupied by the applicant and not less than 50 feet from any lot line.
A. 
Construction using durable materials. Chicken runs, pens, henhouses and coops shall be constructed of weather-resistant materials that can readily be cleaned and maintained, and kept in good appearance. All walls, ceilings and roof areas shall be solid materials to protect against entry by predators or escape of chickens. Coops and runs are to be covered with small wire or mesh. Shelter may be fixed or movable.
B. 
Chickens must be confined. No chicken shall be permitted to roam freely. All chickens must be maintained in a fully enclosed shelter with a covered, fenced closure. The fenced enclosure must have a minimum of two square feet per chicken. The fence must be a minimum of four feet and a maximum of six feet in height and must have an overhead fenced cover.
C. 
Prevention of entry by burrowing. A horizontal at-grade barrier of not less than one foot in width along the interior or exterior perimeter of the chicken pen shall be composed of chain link or other material to prevent entry by burrowing predators. Alternatively, a barrier to burrowing not less than one foot in depth may be placed along the perimeter of the chicken pen.
D. 
Elevation of structures. Henhouses and chicken coops shall be elevated at least 18 inches above grade, with an elevated floor that will prevent entry by predators.
E. 
External illumination. The exterior areas of henhouses and chicken coops shall not be continually illuminated.
F. 
Minimum areas per chicken in henhouse or coop. The henhouse or chicken coop shall provide not less than one square foot (144 square inches) of area per chicken, as well as separate roosting or egg-laying areas.
G. 
Minimum areas per chicken run or pen. The chicken run or pen shall be large enough to allow freedom of movement, but shall provide not less than four square feet per chicken.
H. 
Feed and water required. Adequate feed and water shall be continuously provided, with protection against freezing. All animal feed, including chicken feed, which is stored on the property must be kept in rodent-proof and fly-tight closed containers.
A. 
Odor and noise. At no time may the keeping of domestic fowl be allowed to be a nuisance as defined in the North Coventry Township Code, due to odor, noise, or otherwise disturbing the peace as determined by the North Coventry Township Code Enforcement Officer, or other North Coventry police officer, or official on complaint of a resident who lives near the property where the chicken(s) are raised.
B. 
Waste and manure storage and removal.
(1) 
The henhouse, chicken run and pen and all surrounding areas must be kept free from trash and accumulated manure, collected in a container or receptacle that when closed shall be rodent-proof and fly-tight. All other manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed. After every trash collection, each container or receptacle is to be kept closed.
(2) 
All stored manure shall be placed within a fully enclosed container, rodent-proof and fly-tight; no more than three cubic feet of manure shall be stored. All other manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed.
(3) 
The animal waste must be composted in a designated area or double bagged for trash removal at least twice per week. The composted animal waste must either be placed in a location that either drains inward onto the property, or is at least 20 feet from a neighboring property. At no time shall composted animal waste drain onto a neighboring property.
C. 
Mortality. Dead animals shall be disposed of promptly and consistent with applicable regulations of North Coventry Township.
D. 
Slaughtering. Slaughtering of chickens shall be conducted in a fully enclosed structure; outdoor slaughtering is prohibited.
Any owner, custodian or keeper of a chicken or chickens who violates or permits a violation of this article shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a district justice, shall pay a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, as well as reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this article, together with any other incurred costs in a judgment imposed by the district judge that is not timely appealed may be enforced by the Township in accordance with rules of court. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including relief by way of injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.