[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016; as amended by Ord. 658, 9/5/2017]
Residents may keep chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) under the conditions set forth in this Part. However, an appeal to waive specific conditions of this Part may be made to the Board of Commissioners and may be waived by the Board of Commissioners on a case-by-case basis.
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
1. 
The lot must be 40 feet or wider at its narrowest point.
2. 
No residence shall contain at any one time more than four hens over the age of one month.
3. 
In the case of two-family dwellings, conversion dwellings, or multifamily dwellings without individually owned backyards, the maximum number of hens allowed is four per property.
4. 
Chickens shall be permitted in any district except for Town Center.
5. 
No person shall keep or harbor any rooster within the Township.
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
1. 
No person may own, keep, or harbor chickens within the Township without first completing a registration form provided by the Township Office. There shall be no fee for such registration. Registration is nontransferable.
2. 
Persons on nonowner-occupied properties must have written permission from the property owner to own or keep chickens. Such written permission shall be supplied to the Township at registration.
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
1. 
All chickens must be kept in a coop and chicken run at all times. Chickens may also be allowed in a securely fenced yard if supervised so that they cannot stray beyond the premises on which they are secured. The chickens shall be secured within the coop during nondaylight hours.
A. 
Coops and chicken runs shall not be located in front yards and at least 25 feet away from a doorway, opening or window of an occupied dwelling other than that of the property owner.
B. 
The minimum coop shall be solid, vermin- and predator-proof and shall provide at least three square feet of area per chicken.
C. 
The chicken run shall be adequately fenced to contain the chickens on the property.
D. 
Coops 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. Openings, windows, and vents must be covered with vermin-, predator- and bird-proof wire of one-half inch hardware cloth.
E. 
Chicken runs shall provide a minimum of 16 square feet of pervious space per hen and have adequate cover to keep hens in and predators out. The run shall have at least one entrance to allow human access. The substrate in the run shall be composed of a material that can be easily raked, or regularly replaced to reduce odors and flies.
F. 
Materials used for making a coop shall be uniform for each element of the enclosure 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.
G. 
The coop shall be painted or stained; the color shall be uniform around the coop.
H. 
Coops and chicken runs shall be kept in good repair and must be capable of being maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free of vermin and obnoxious odors.
I. 
Coops and chicken runs must prevent the chickens from running at large. Chickens will be considered running at large within the meaning of this Section when off the owner’s premises.
J. 
Coops and chicken runs shall be open at all times for inspection by the Township.
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
Chickens shall be provided with access to feed and clean water at all times. All feed, water, and other such items associated with the keeping of chickens shall be properly stored in a clean and sanitary manner to prevent the infestation of rats, mice, or other rodents or vectors.
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
1. 
The coop and outdoor enclosure must be kept in a sanitary condition and free from offensive odors. The coop and outdoor enclosure must be cleaned regularly to prevent the accumulation of waste. Manure from chickens may be disposed of in one of the following manners:
A. 
Bagged and placed in the household trash;
B. 
Composted and applied on site (kept in a vermin-proof composting container designed to limit odors. Finished dried manure may be spread on site, provided it does not pollute stormwater run-off).
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
No person shall keep or harbor chickens in the Township in a manner that creates a nuisance. Chickens running at large shall be considered a public nuisance.
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
All chickens shall be afforded veterinary care if they are known or suspected to be sick or injured.
[Ord. 649, 6/6/2016]
Dead chickens may be taken to a veterinarian for disposal or bagged and disposed of in the trash.