Borough of Media, PA Raising and Keeping of Chickens

Odors from chickens, chicken manure or other chicken-related substances shall not be perceptible beyond the boundaries of the permitted tract of land.

Noise from chickens shall not be perceptible at lot lines to the extent that it results in a public nuisance or is in violation of the municipal noise ordinance.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 203, Noise.

Mortality. Dead animals shall be disposed of within 24 hours and consistent with applicable waste disposal regulations of the Borough.

Predators, rodents, insects and parasites. The permittee shall take all necessary action to reduce the attraction of predators and rodents and the potential infestation of rodents, insects and parasites. The permittee shall store all feed supplies in rodentproof containers. The permittee shall control rodents by eliminating nearby hiding places (trash, weeds, and debris), trapping and baiting rats and mice on a regular basis, and retaining a professional pest control contractor if evidence of the presence of rodents persists for more than seven days. Chickens found to be infested with insects and parasites that may result in unhealthy conditions to human habitation or kept in a manner that results in continued rodent infestation may be removed by a Media Borough Code Enforcement Officer. Any determination by the Code Enforcement Officer as to unhealthy conditions shall be final and unappealable.

Feed and water. Chickens shall always be provided with access to feed and clean water. The feed and water shall be unavailable to rodents, wild birds and predators. Chicken feed must be stored in rodent- and raccoonproof containers. No facility for storing manure or feed shall be located within 50 feet of any adjacent residence that is not occupied by the applicant and not less than 25 feet from any lot line.

Waste storage and removal.

All stored manure shall be covered by a fully enclosed structure with a roof or lid over the entire structure.

No more than a five-gallon container of waste and manure shall be stored on the permitted tract of land.

The henhouse or chicken pen and surrounding area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings. Uneaten feed and droppings should be removed daily.

Manure-contaminated rain or wastewater may not run into public streets or neighbor's property.

Composting of used bedding and manure shall not be permitted.

(6)

No facility for storing manure shall be located within 50 feet of any adjacent residence not occupied by the applicant and not less 25 feet from any lot line.

Slaughter prohibited. The slaughter of chickens on residential property is prohibited.

§ 149-14 Structures, chicken pens, runs, and coops.

Enclosures. Enclosures must meet the following minimum standards:

Enclosures must be kept in a clean, dry, odor-free, neat and sanitary condition at all times.

Henhouses, chicken coops and chicken pens must provide adequate ventilation and adequate sun and shade and must be impermeable to rodents, wild birds and predators, including dogs and cats.

Henhouses and chicken coops shall be designed to provide safe and healthy living conditions for the chickens and to prevent the escape of chickens while minimizing adverse impacts to other residents in the neighborhood.

A henhouse or chicken coop 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. Opening windows and vents must be covered with predator- and birdproof wire of less than one-inch openings.

The materials used in making a henhouse or chicken coop shall be uniform for each element of the structure such that the walls are made of the same material, the roof has the same shingles or other covering, and any windows or openings are constructed using the same materials. The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal, or similar materials is prohibited.

(6)

Henhouses and chicken coops shall be well maintained.

(7)

Any enclosed chicken pen shall consist of sturdy wire fencing. The pen must be covered with wire, aviary netting, or solid roofing.

Prevention of entry by burrowing. A horizontal at-grade area not less than one foot in width along the interior or exterior perimeter of the chicken run or 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 run or pen.

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. The applicant shall provide details of how manure will be properly cleaned from henhouse and chicken coop floors.

No external illumination. The exterior areas of henhouses and chicken coops shall not be illuminated.

Minimum area per chicken in henhouse or coop. The henhouse or chicken coop shall provide not less than two square feet of area per chicken, as well as separate roosting or egg-laying areas.

Minimum area per chicken run or pen. A chicken run or pen shall be provided and be large enough to allow freedom of movement, but shall provide not less than four square feet per chicken.

Homeowners' associations. No chickens shall be kept on any property that has an HOA document associated with it noting that fowl of any sort is not permissible within the subdivision in which said property is a part thereof nor shall any part of this article supersede any HOA documents that have been recorded on said property.

§ 149-15 Permit required.

Permit. No person shall raise, harbor or keep chickens within the Borough of Media without a valid permit obtained biannually from the permitting officer under the provisions of this article. The permitting officer shall grant a permit allowing for the raising and keeping of chickens when the following conditions are met:

Applicant demonstrates that the proposed use meets all of the standards of § 311-74 of the Media Borough Zoning Ordinance.

Applicant demonstrates that the proposed use meets all of the standards of this article.

The applicant has provided 21 days' notice to the residents of all abutting dwellings of the applicant's intent to obtain a permit.

Approved classes.

(a)

The applicant has successfully completed an approved class in raising chickens in an urban setting. These educational programs address a variety of topics such as:

[1]

Breed selection for small flocks.

[2]

Disease recognition, prevention, and control.

[3]

Poultry husbandry and care.

[4]

Other areas of interest to small flock owners.

(b)

The Code Enforcement Officer shall maintain a current list of such approved classes.

A written waste storage and removal plan shall be submitted.

Additional reasonable conditions may be attached. In granting a permit the permitting officer may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards, in addition to those expressed in this article, as the officer may deem necessary to implement the purposes of the Borough Zoning Ordinance.[1] (Example: Reasonable conditions may include the provision of landscaping or fencing to screen views of the activity, and increased setbacks.)

[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 311, Zoning.

Periodic inspection. The Borough may periodically inspect the facility, upon reasonable notice or without notice if in response to a complaint, to ensure that all conditions of the permit are continuously met.

Fee. Fees assessable by the Borough of Media for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this article shall be established by the Borough Council by resolution from time to time.

Application. The application shall include a description of how the backyard chicken activity will be conducted. The applicant shall describe how the chickens will be cared for including, at minimum:

How the facility will be maintained on a routine basis;

Routine collection of eggs;

Continuous provision of fresh food and water supplies;

Waste collected and removal;

Amounts of mulch or animal bedding;

(6)

A sketch plan showing compliance with all required setbacks; and

(7)

How complaints from neighbors will be addressed.

Denial, suspension or revocation of permit.

The permitting officer shall deny a permit if the applicant has not demonstrated compliance with all of the provisions of this article.

Any material misstatement or omission shall be grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of the permit.

A permit to keep domesticated chickens may be suspended or revoked by the Borough where the Borough finds that the keeping of the chickens creates a public nuisance or for any violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the provisions of this article or with the provisions of any other applicable ordinance or law.