[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Round Lake 8-21-1996 by L.L. No. 2-1996; amended in its entirety 11-18-2020 by L.L. No.
3-2020. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A.Â
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Round Lake finds that farming
is an essential activity within Round Lake.
B.Â
Farming, as defined herein, reinforces the special quality of life
enjoyed by citizens, provides the visual benefit of open space and
generates economic benefits and social well-being within the community.
Therefore, the Village emphasizes to newcomers that this Village encourages
its agriculture and requests newcomers to be understanding of the
necessary day-to-day operations.
C.Â
It is the general purpose and intent of this chapter to maintain
and preserve the rural tradition and character of Round Lake, to permit
the continuation of agricultural practices, to protect the existence
and operation of farms and to encourage the initiation and expansion
of farms and agricultural businesses.
D.Â
For the purpose of reducing future conflicts between farmers and
nonfarmers, it is necessary for notice to be given to future neighbors
about the nature of agricultural practices.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
All activities conducted on a farm necessary to the operation
of a farm.
Includes livestock, dairy, poultry, fur-bearing animals, aquiculture, apiculture, fruit, vegetable and field crop farms, plantations, orchards, nurseries, greenhouses or other similar operations used primarily for the raising of agricultural or horticultural commodities. Special provisions related to poultry are set forth in § 112-5 et seq.
Farmers, as well as those employed, retained or otherwise authorized
to act on behalf of farmers, may lawfully engage in farming practices
within the Village of Round Lake at any and all such times and all
such locations as are reasonably necessary to conduct the business
of farming. For any activity or operation, in determining the reasonableness
of the time, place and methodology of such operation, due weight and
consideration shall be given to both traditional customs and procedures
in the farming industry as well as to advances resulting from increased
knowledge and improved technologies.
The following notice shall be included in building permits and
on plats of subdivisions submitted for approval pursuant to Town Law
§ 276 or Village Law § 7-728: "This property may
border a farm, as defined in Village Local Law No. 2-1996. Residents
should be aware that farmers have the right to undertake farm practices
which may generate dust, odor, smoke, noise and vibration."
The Village Board of the Village of Round Lake hereby finds
that the keeping of hens can play a role in ensuring a source of local
food and a sustainable environment but that the improper maintenance
of hens in residential neighborhoods may cause nuisances to nearby
residential properties and can create conditions which are unsanitary
and unsafe. Therefore, it is the intent of the Village Board, pursuant
to Article IX of the New York State Constitution, Article 18 of the
General Municipal Law and §§ 10 and 20 of the Municipal
Home Rule Law of New York State, to permit and regulate the keeping
of hens within the Village of Round Lake. This article allows the
keeping of small flocks of hens, subject to permit, by residents of
single-family dwellings in parcels zoned RV-1 and RV-2.[1] The conditions imposed by this article are intended to
facilitate the harboring of hens in a manner that is consistent with
the residential character of the Village and so as to not cause or
contribute to nuisances or pollution or otherwise adversely impact
neighboring property owners in any way.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat.
An outdoor area that is enclosed on all sides, including
the top, by fencing and which is attached to or surrounding a chicken
coop. A run shall have a doorway or hatch that allows chickens to
access the space.
A male chicken.
The Village of Round Lake Code Enforcement Officer.
A structure that is designed to house chickens and is enclosed
on all sides by a roof, doors, and walls with or without windows,
whether stationary, mobile or portable.
A female chicken.
An adjacent property owner.
A person with fee title or a leasehold to a parcel of real
property.
An enclosed area for chickens to roam and eat.
The Village of Round Lake.
The Board of Trustees, including the Mayor.
It shall be unlawful for any person, association, group or organization
within the limits of the Village to keep chickens without a permit
in Zoning Districts RV- 1 and RV-2. Cocks are prohibited in Zoning
Districts RV-1 and RV-2. Permits are nontransferable.
A.Â
Any person, association, group or organization applying for a permit
to keep hens within an RV-1 or RV-2 District must submit a completed
Harboring of Hens Permit Application to the Village Code Enforcement
Officer.
B.Â
The Harboring of Hens Permit Application shall include a provision
that delivery of the application to the Village together with the
required fee constitute consent to the Code Enforcement Officer to
go upon the subject parcel from time to time for the purpose of checking
compliance with the conditions of any permit issued to the property
owner. Applications submitted by lessees must contain the consent
of the fee owner (lessor).
C.Â
Together with the Harboring of Hens Permit Application, the property
owner shall submit:
(1)Â
An up-to-date survey, except that the CEO has discretion to accept
an older survey if he or she determines that it accurately locates
the existing structures, distances and borders, and an accurate diagram
of the real property upon which a coop is to be located and in which
the run may be located. This diagram must clearly show all measurements
pertaining to size of the coop and run, the required setbacks to property
lines for the coop, and the distances to adjoining structures and
dwellings. The same diagram or a second diagram must depict the subject
parcel in its current configuration if the survey does not.
(2)Â
The written consent of all neighbors to the keeping of hens pursuant
to this article. This requirement may be waived by the Village Board
for good cause shown or by the CEO with any appeal heard by the Village
Board.
(3)Â
A statement affirming that a copy of this chapter has been delivered
to all neighbors.
D.Â
An application fee, in an amount prescribed by resolution of the
Village Board, shall be charged. Upon payment of the application fee,
the Code Enforcement Officer, who shall review the same and if it
is complete, shall arrange for a site inspection of the real property.
E.Â
A permit allowing hens to be kept may be issued by the Code Enforcement
Officer if he or she determines that the proposed coop and run as
located meet the requirements of this article and the Village Code.
Hens may not be located in the coop or run until a permit has been
issued.
F.Â
The permit shall be valid for a period of one year.
A.Â
Hens may be kept only on a parcel or real property of 1/4 acre or
larger improved by a single-family dwelling. The coop and run must
adhere to all setback requirements. In the event the run is movable,
each location in which it is placed shall adhere to setback requirements.
B.Â
Hens are permitted only within a coop or run and shall not occupy
any other space.
C.Â
There may be no more than six hens located on a lot within the RV-1
or RV-2 District unless the subject parcel is larger than two acres.
D.Â
Commercial (for-profit) operations are prohibited. The sale of eggs
and hens on the property is not permitted.
E.Â
The outdoor slaughtering of hens is prohibited.
F.Â
Feed for the hens must be kept in covered, fastened containers that
cannot be accessed by rodents, pests or vermin.
G.Â
Hen manure and bedding must be managed so as to minimize odors and
not attract rodents and pests. The on-site accumulation of treated
or untreated hen manure is prohibited.
A.Â
The coop shall be enclosed on all sides with walls (with or without
windows), a roof and an entrance.
B.Â
The coop shall be well ventilated. The minimum coop size shall provide
not less than four square feet of space for each hen.
C.Â
A run shall provide not less than 10 square feet of space for each
hen. Runs shall be securely fenced.
D.Â
Coops and runs may only be located in the rear or side yard of the
subject real property and in consultation with the CEO. Coops must
be at least 35 feet from any adjoining property's attached structures
used for human activities. This includes structures directly attached
to the occupied structure such as decks, patios, garages, and porches
but not freestanding structures such as swimming pools, outbuildings,
detached garages, and nonattached decks or patios.
E.Â
The coop shall be kept clean, dry and sanitary. Hen manure and soiled
bedding shall be removed at a minimum of once a week. The accumulation
of hen manure and bedding in violation of this provision may result
in revocation of the permit.
F.Â
The coop and run must be structurally sound and in good repair.
Educational literature shall be provided by the Village with
the application materials.
A.Â
The receipt of a written complaint of noncompliance with this article
by the CEO shall result in a site visit by the Code Enforcement Officer
and an inspection of the property to determine if there exists a violation
of the permit. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a violation
exists, the permit holder shall be notified of the nature of the violation
and shall have up to 30 days in which to correct the violation. Failure
to correct the violation within the time provided may result in the
revocation of the permit and the removal of the hens.
B.Â
The following violations or conditions may result in an immediate
revocation of a permit in the discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer:
(1)Â
Hens are found outside of the coop or run;
(2)Â
A violation of this article which, in the determination of the Code
Enforcement Officer, constitutes a public nuisance exists;
(3)Â
Predators or vermin are regularly on or visiting the subject property
or immediately surrounding area; or
(4)Â
The hens have been abandoned.
C.Â
Any person or persons who violate or cause to be violated any provision
of this chapter shall, upon conviction for such violation, be subject
to a fine not to exceed $250, imprisonment not to exceed 15 days,
or both, for each such violation. Every week that the violation continues
shall constitute a separate and additional violation.
