[Adopted 9-13-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-12 (Ch. 067 of the 1997 Code)]
A. 
Number of allowable chickens. Up to 10 female chickens are permitted on residential lots of up to three acres.
B. 
Roosters and cockerel. Roosters and cockerel are prohibited.
C. 
Slaughtering. Slaughtering chickens in public view is prohibited.
D. 
Required shelters/coops. Chickens shall be housed in a fully enclosed shelter with a fenced enclosure/run. Coops and runs shall be located in the rear yard and constructed to provide relief from the elements, such as excessive wind, excessive temperature and excessive precipitation which will result in hyperthermia or hypothermia detrimental to the birds' health. Only one coop shall be permitted on any one residential lot.
(1) 
Shelters/coops and enclosures/runs shall be located at least five feet off the property line for fenced-in yards and 10 feet from any property line for non-fenced-in yards and 30 feet from any residential dwelling on an adjoining property.
(2) 
Shelters/coops shall provide a minimum of two square feet of space per chicken and not exceed 60 square feet in size.
(3) 
Fences/runs shall not exceed six feet in height.
(4) 
Constructed shelters shall:
(a) 
Be of sufficient size to provide adequate space for each bird seeking shelter within to stand, lie down, get up, walk, spread its wings, move its head freely, turn around and rest.
(b) 
Be structurally sound.
(c) 
Have a safe interior surface, reasonably free of injurious matter.
(d) 
Maintain air quality by natural or mechanical ventilation.
(e) 
Minimize extremes in environmental temperature.
(f) 
Be maintained at a level of repair such that they continue to fulfill the requirements of Subsection D(1) through (5) of this section.
(5) 
Shelters/coops shall not be counted towards the permitted number of accessory structures and shall not be included in lot coverage or impervious surface.
(6) 
Cage housing shall be prohibited.
(7) 
Floor housing shall provide:
(a) 
Each bird enough room to stand, lie down, get up, walk, spread its wings, move its head freely, turn around and rest; and
(b) 
A sufficient number of nesting boxes for laying hens seeking access to a nesting box.
E. 
Waste storage. Storage of manure, excreta, or other waste-, odor- or dust-producing substances associated therewith shall be located at least 15 feet from any lot line or 30 feet from any residential structure on an adjoining property and shall be properly composted per health code and United States Department of Agriculture guidelines or kept in a watertight container until it can be disposed of in a proper fashion off site.
F. 
Feed storage. Animal feed stored outdoors shall be kept in metal containers with tight-fitting lids.
G. 
Running at large. No person owning, keeping, maintaining, or harboring a chicken shall permit, suffer or allow a chicken to run at large other than in the fenced-in rear yard of the owner.
Any person owning, keeping, maintaining or harboring a chicken who violates or fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this article shall be liable for a penalty as provided by law.
Sick or injured birds must be promptly treated or removed within 24 hours and humanely euthanized. If a flock of chickens perishes due to disease or suspected disease the homeowner shall immediately notify the Health Department.