[Ord. 1-1986, 2/20/1986; as amended by Ord. No. 2020-2, 9/17/2020]
Except as provided in §
2-203.1, relating to chickens, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep any pigs, hogs, or swine, or any wild or domestic fowl such as a turkey, goose, duck, or pigeon (excepting homing pigeons) at any place within the Borough.
[Ord. 1-1986, 2/20/1986]
This Part shall be enforced by the Borough Police Department.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any domestic animals,
except household pets, except as provided in this section:
1. Large animals shall be confined in quarters no part of which shall
be closer than 100 feet from the exterior limits of any dwelling or
of any property line.
2. Small animals shall be kept confined in quarters no part of which
shall be closer than 25 feet from the exterior limits of any dwelling
or of any property line.
3. The keeper of every such animal shall confine the same in an enclosure
sufficient to prevent such animal from running at large, and such
enclosure shall be of a size conducive to good sanitary practices
and adequate and sanitary drainage facilities shall be provided.
4. Every keeper of any animal shall cause the litter and droppings therefrom
to be collected daily in a container or receptacle that when closed
shall be rat-proof and fly-tight, and after every such collection
shall cause such container or receptacle to be kept closed. At least
twice a week, every such keeper shall cause all litter and droppings
so collected to be disposed of in such manner as not to permit the
presence of fly larvae.
5. Every keeper of any animal shall cause all feed provided therefor
to be stored and kept in a rat-proof and fly-tight building, box,
container, or receptacle.
[Ord. No. 2020-2, 9/17/2020]
1. General Rule. Domestic, egg-laying chickens shall be permitted in Hummelstown Borough when in compliance with Chapter
2 of the Borough Code of Ordinances.
2. Noncommercial use. The keeping of chickens under this section shall
not be for commercial purposes. A property owner housing chickens
on his or her property is prohibited from engaging in commercial activity,
including:
C. Egg production for sale; and
3. Number. The maximum number of chickens permitted for noncommercial
use is six chickens per lot.
4. Type. Chickens kept for noncommercial use shall exclusively be domestic,
egg-laying hens. Roosters are prohibited from being kept under any
circumstances.
5. Roaming prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any chicken(s)
to allow or permit such chicken(s) to roam at large in the Borough
of Hummelstown. Any chicken(s) kept must be restricted to the area
of the coop and/or pen.
6. Coops.
A. Chicken coops shall:
(1)
Have a solid roof to protect the chickens from the elements
and predators;
(3)
Have adequate ventilation;
(4)
Provide protection from predators;
(5)
Be designed to secure the chickens; and
(6)
Be accessible for cleaning.
B. Coops may be either commercially built or designed or built by the
owner in compliance with this section.
C. Coops must provide 2 1/2 to three square feet of space per chicken
inhabiting the coop.
7. Pens.
A. Chicken pens shall:
(1)
Permit three to four square feet of area per chicken;
(2)
Be constructed in a way to prevent chickens from roaming free
and to keep predators from accessing the pen; and
(3)
Be accessible by the chickens from the coop when the chickens
are not secured in the coop.
8. Location of Coops and Pens.
A. Pens and coops shall be located in the backyard of the property on
which they are located and away from streets and sidewalks.
B. Any part of the pen or coop closer than 10 feet from any property
line shall be screened by solid fencing or a solid hedge, installed
and maintained at the sole expense of the owner.
C. Pens and coops must be a minimum of 15 feet away from a neighboring
house or residential structure.
9. Living Conditions.
A. Chickens shall have access to feed and clean water at all times.
B. Feed shall be secured to prevent rodents or other pests from accessing
the feed.
C. Chickens shall have adequate bedding.
D. Coops shall be cleaned weekly at a minimum.
E. Pens shall be cleaned at regular intervals to prevent odor and unsanitary
conditions.
F. Adequate sun, shade, and ventilation must be provided.
[Ord. 1-1986, 2/20/1986]
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any household pet,
except as provided in this section:
1. If any such pet shall be kept in a dwelling owned or occupied by
its owner, such owner shall be required to follow such procedures
and practices, as to the number of such pets to be kept there, and
as to sanitation, to insure that no public nuisance shall be created
or maintained and no threat to the health of persons living elsewhere
than in such dwelling shall be created.
2. If any such pet shall be kept in an enclosure outside such dwelling,
the provisions of section 203 of this Part, insofar as the same applies
to small animals, shall be applicable to the keeping of such household
pet.
[Ord. 1-1986, 2/20/1986]
Any violation of this Part that would also violate any state
law shall be prosecuted under that state law and not under this Part.
[Ord. 1-1986, 2/20/1986]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Part shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding
$300, and/or to undergo imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days.
Each day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
[Ord. 1-1986, 2/20/1986]
If the owner of animals in violation of this Part does not comply
with a notice to abate the violation which constitutes a nuisance
or health hazard, within the time limit prescribed, the Borough shall
have the authority to take measures to correct the conditions and
collect the cost of such correction plus 10% of all costs. The Borough,
in such event and pursuant to its statutory or otherwise authorized
police powers, shall have the rights and power to enter upon the offending
premises to accomplish the foregoing.