A pilot program for the keeping of backyard chicken hens is
hereby authorized. Keeping of backyard chicken hens shall be permitted
in the Borough of Runnemede subject to the rules and regulations as
specified in this article. The pilot program shall commence on October
1, 2022 and terminate on December 31, 2023 at 12:01 a.m., unless the
Borough of Runnemede acts to continue same prior to that date. In
the event the Borough of Runnemede does not act to continue the program
prior to said termination date, all persons with backyard chicken
hens shall be allowed to retain those permitted chicken hens on the
property as of December 31, 2023 in accordance with the requirements
of this article until such hens have expired or been removed by the
owner. No such hens may be replaced.
The following regulations and conditions for the keeping and
housing of chickens shall be complied with:
A. The coop shall be the appropriate size for the number of chickens
and shall consist of a minimum of three square feet per chicken.
B. The coop shall be dry and well ventilated with windows to admit sunlight
and shall not be heated.
C. The housing of chickens must be the primary purpose of the structure.
D. The coop must be kept clean and the utilization of a tarp as a portion
of the roof is not permitted.
E. Clean water must be provided, and food must be kept in a tightly
sealed rodent- and predator-proof container.
F. The yard in the area where the coop is located shall be clean, free
from odors and dust abatement techniques must be utilized.
G. There shall be no slaughter of chickens in the Borough of Runnemede.
H. Waste shall be handled properly to prevent offensive odors or disposed
in an environmentally friendly manner.
I. The coop must meet all of the size limitations of an accessory building
as may be otherwise provided for in the Code of the Borough of Runnemede.