[Adopted 8-20-2020 by Ord. No. 1130]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHICKEN
Poultry or fowl of the species Gallus gallus domesticus, a domesticated fowl. This definition shall not be construed to include any species of turkey, duck, guinea fowl, goose, or other fowl.
CHICKEN COOP
A structure providing for shelter of female chickens which is completely enclosed and intended for the shelter and protection of chickens.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
Any building that contains only one dwelling unit used or intended to be occupied for living purposes by one family consistent with the Township of North Versailles Zoning Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 300, Zoning.
A permit is required. No person shall raise, harbor or keep chickens within the Township of North Versailles without a valid permit obtained from the Zoning Officer under the provisions of this article. In order to obtain a permit, an applicant must submit a completed application on forms provided by the Township Zoning Officer and pay the required application fee which will be established from time to time by the Commissioners of the Township of North Versailles by simple resolution.
A. 
All standards and criteria set forth in this article are met;
B. 
All fees, as may be established from time to time by resolution of the Township Commissioners, for the permit are paid in full;
C. 
All fees and taxes owed by the applicant and/or property owner to the Township have been paid in full;
D. 
The parcel of land to be permitted for the keeping of chickens shall contain only one single-family dwelling as defined under the Township Zoning Ordinance[1];
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 300, Zoning.
E. 
The applicant has provided notice to the residents of all immediately adjacent dwellings of the applicant's intent to obtain a permit.
If the Zoning Officer concludes as a result of the information contained in the application that the requirements for a permit have been met, then the Zoning Office shall issue the permit within 30 days of receipt of a complete application and payment of all fees due. The permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issue and must be renewed annually.
A. 
Only female chickens (hens) are allowed. Roosters are prohibited within the Township limits.
B. 
The maximum number of chickens allowed is four per single-family dwelling unit.
C. 
Chickens shall be housed in a chicken coop which may have access to a chicken pen. During non-daylight hours, chickens shall be secured in the chicken coop.
D. 
All chicken coop enclosures must be kept in a clean, dry, odor-free, neat and sanitary condition at all times.
E. 
Chicken coops must provide adequate ventilation and must be impenetrable to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats.
F. 
Chicken coops design and construction.
(1) 
Chicken coops shall be designed to provide safe and healthy living conditions for the chickens with a minimum of four square feet per bird while minimizing adverse impacts to other residents in the neighborhood.
(2) 
A 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 bird-proof wire of less than one inch openings. The materials used in making a 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. Chicken coops shall be well maintained.
(3) 
Chicken coops shall only be located to the rear of a dwelling.
(4) 
Chicken coops and chicken pens must be located at least 15 feet from the property line and at least 25 feet from any adjacent building or residential structure not owned by the applicant.
(5) 
The chicken pen shall be covered with mesh wire, aviary netting or solid roofing.
(6) 
Chickens shall have access to feed and clean water at all times, and such feed and water shall be inaccessible to rodents, wild birds and predators. Chickens shall be provided adequate bedding in the coop.
Odors from chickens, chicken manure or other chicken-related substances shall not be perceptible beyond the boundaries of the permitted parcel of land. Noise from chickens shall not be loud enough beyond the boundaries of the permitted tract of land at the property boundaries to disturb persons of reasonable sensitivity.
All stored manure shall be covered by a fully enclosed structure with a roof or lid over the entire structure, or garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. No more than three cubic feet of manure shall be stored on the permitted parcel of land. All other manure not used for composting and fertilizing shall be removed from the site or incorporated into a garden area. The chicken coop, chicken pen and surrounding area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings. Uneaten feed shall be removed in a timely manner.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep chickens in violation of any provision of this article.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any owner of rental property, renter or leaseholder of property to allow chickens to be kept on any property, except where the owner of the chickens is also the resident and owner of the property upon which the chickens are kept.
C. 
No person shall slaughter any chickens within the Township limits.
D. 
No person shall keep a rooster.
E. 
No person shall keep chickens on a vacant or uninhabited parcel of land.
Any violation of the terms of this article that constitutes a health hazard or that interferes with the use or enjoyment of neighboring properties is a nuisance and may be abated under the general nuisance abatement provisions of the Pennsylvania First Class Township Code[1] and all applicable Township nuisance or zoning ordinances, with fines and penalties consistent therewith.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 55101 et seq.
A. 
The chicken permit shall be revoked if the Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer, in his/her sole discretion, determines that the individual granted the permit is in violation of this article.
B. 
Violation of the provisions of this article shall result in permit revocation and may result in the initiation of enforcement proceedings set forth herein, including the assessment of penalties.
C. 
Misrepresentation by a permit applicant shall result in the subject permit being revoked, voided or denied.
D. 
If a violation of this article occurs, the Township Manager is authorized to order immediate removal of all disposable items associated with the keeping of chickens. Stationary structures associated with the keeping of chickens may remain, provided the structure is not creating a nuisance and is not in violation of any provision of the Code of the Township of North Versailles.
E. 
Any individual who has a chicken permit revoked, removed or voided will not be eligible for consideration for another chicken permit.
F. 
If any applicant, permitee or landowner adjacent to a permitted chicken coop or chicken pen is aggrieved by the determination of the Township Manager, Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer, such aggrieved person may appeal the determination to the North Versailles Township Commissioners. The appeal shall be in writing and must be received at the Township office no later than 30 days from the date of the determination of which such person is aggrieved. The written appeal must describe in detail the reason for the appeal. The Township Commissioners may make a determination after considering the written appeal or may notify the aggrieved person of when the matter will be considered by the Commissioners at a public meeting.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Every day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.