The purpose of this Article 2-12 is to provide for the keeping of domestic farm animals and livestock in the Suburban Residential, Urban Residential and Urban Residential Expansion Districts. This use may be allowed as a permitted use in the Urban Residential (UR), Urban Residential Expansion (URExp), and Suburban Residential (SR) Districts, provided that the following standards are met.
[Amended 4-4-2023 by Ord. No. 23-58; 8-5-2025 by Ord. No. 25-82]
When calculating the number of permitted animals on a given lot, the lot area utilized to determine the number of animals allowed for one animal category may not be utilized when calculating the number of permitted animals allowed for a different animal category.
A. 
Chickens.
(1) 
Six chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area less than 20,000 square feet.
(2) 
Up to 10 chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area between 20,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet.
(3) 
Twenty-five chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area greater than 40,000 square feet.
(4) 
On lots with a lot area less than six acres no roosters shall be kept.
(5) 
On lots with a lot area of 40,000 square feet or less, all chickens must be kept in an enclosure or fenced area at all times. This requirement can be met through the use of a mobile enclosure.
B. 
Small animals and fowl (such as sheep, goats, pot-belly pigs, ducks, that typically weigh not more than 100 pounds at maturity, geese and turkeys, other than domestic pets and chickens).
(1) 
Up to two animals may be kept on a lot with a lot area of a minimum of 40,000 square feet.
(2) 
For each additional 20,000 square feet in addition to 40,000 square feet, one additional small animal may be kept.
C. 
Large animals (such as horses, cows, hogs or llamas that typically weigh more than 100 pounds at maturity).
(1) 
Up to two animals may be kept on a lot with a lot area of 100,000 square feet.
(2) 
For each additional 50,000 square feet in addition to 100,000 square feet, one additional large animal may be kept.
Structures and pen or pasture fencing erected for the housing of farm animals other than domestic pets must meet the following requirements:
A. 
Structures shall meet the setback requirements for the zone in which they are located.
B. 
Structures and pens shall not be located in the front yard.
C. 
The types of roofing and siding must take into account existing conditions in the neighborhood.
D. 
Fencing shall be erected to confine the animals to an established area of the property.
E. 
Structures and pen or pasture fencing shall be constructed and maintained to prevent the escape of the animals and provide appropriate protection from the elements.
F. 
All structures and pen or pasture fencing shall be of sufficient size to provide adequate and proper housing for those animals kept therein.
Each animal shall be maintained in a good, healthy condition in a manner not causing injury to the health of any animal or the health and safety of any person.
All animal wastes shall be properly disposed of so as not to jeopardize the public health, safety or welfare, or create detrimental effects on the environment or on neighboring properties and must meet the following requirements:
A. 
All manure and other waste must be stored in a fully enclosed structure or in covered, airtight containers and must be periodically removed from the property or composted so there is no accumulation of waste material. No more than three cubic yards of manure or waste shall be stored on site.
B. 
Structures, pens and pastures shall be kept clean and dry, and waste shall be treated and handled in such a manner as to control flies, odor and rodents.
C. 
Odors from the keeping of farm animals, including but not limited to waste storage, shall not be perceptible at the property boundaries.