[Adopted 4-22-2025 by Ord. No. 04-2025]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
Includes those animals which are tame by nature or from time immemorial have been accustomed to the association of man, or by his industry have been subjected to his will and have no disposition to escape his dominion, and for the purposes of this article, animals hereinafter described as "farm animals" shall be excepted from this designation.
FARM ANIMAL
Refers to those domesticated animals which have historically been used in, by or for the production of agricultural income or products and which are generally assumed by prevailing community standards to be associated with farm or agricultural uses. "Farm animals" shall refer to sheep, goats, swine, horses, cows, fowl, or animals of like or similar nature.
FARMS
Any parcels of land three acres or more in area.
PERSON
An individual, firm, partnership, corporation, voluntary association or an incorporated association.
PLACE
Any farm, plot, lot or other premises, house, garage, barn or other building of any kind whatsoever.
WILD ANIMAL
Includes those animals wild by nature, which because of habitat, mode of life or natural instinct are incapable of being completely domesticated and require the exercise of art, force or skill to keep them in subjection.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, harbor, keep or maintain any pigeons, sheep, horse, cattle, goat, swine, fowl, poultry or other domestic, farm or wild animal, excepting dogs and cats, within the limits of the City of Burlington except in conformity to the rules and regulations hereinafter established.
The keeping of backyard chickens within the City shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. 
There shall be a limit of six chickens per household.
B. 
No roosters are permitted.
C. 
The coop shall be at least two square feet per chicken, with maximum coop size of 100 square feet.
D. 
The coop shall be dry and well ventilated with windows to admit sunlight.
E. 
The coop must be kept clean.
F. 
The coop and enclosed run must be made predator-proof.
G. 
Clean water must be provided, and food must be kept tightly closed in a metal container away from the coop and run at night.
H. 
The yard in the area where the coop is located shall be clean and free from odors.
I. 
There shall be no slaughter of chickens in the City of Burlington.
J. 
Waste will be handled in such a way as proper composting to prevent offensive odors or disposed in an environmentally friendly manner.
K. 
There shall be no selling of eggs.
L. 
The maximum permitted height of any chicken coop structure(s), whether or not said coops are stacked, shall be seven feet six inches as measured from the natural grade.
M. 
Said animal or animals regulated under the provisions of this article shall remain confined if left unattended within said housing. Animals which are found running at large shall be guilty upon proof of a violation by the property owner of the provisions of this article.
N. 
Each coop and enclosed run shall be kept at least 15 feet from the habitable portion of the closest neighboring residential dwelling unit and at least five feet from the property line. Garages, attached or otherwise, and accessory buildings shall not be considered a residential dwelling unit for purposes of calculating the required distance.
A. 
Farm animals.
(1) 
Crowing roosters, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine or other farm animals, as herein defined, shall only be kept on a farm, as herein defined.
(2) 
The Burlington County Health Department shall have the power and authority to grant exceptions to the regulations contained in § 84-85 of this article. Said exceptions shall be granted by the Burlington County Health Department by way of a special permit for this purpose. Said special permit may only be granted upon the written application of the person seeking the special permit or his authorized agent. Said application shall be delivered to the Burlington County Health Department, which shall cause the question of its issuance to be placed upon the agenda of the Burlington County Health Department at its next regularly scheduled meeting, provided that said application is received not less than 10 days prior to the said regular meeting. In the event that said application is received less than 10 days prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting, the matter shall be placed upon the agenda of the meeting next following. The Burlington County Health Department may grant the permit if, upon a full hearing of the relative facts, it determines:
(a) 
The denial of the permit will work a great hardship upon the applicant.
(b) 
The applicant has satisfied the Burlington County Health Department that he has, will and/or can comply with the other provisions of this article.
(c) 
That the granting of the permit will not violate any other ordinance of the City of Burlington and specifically will not be inconsistent with the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Burlington.
(d) 
The granting of the permit will not impair the health, safety and welfare of the surrounding property owners and the community as a whole.
B. 
Wild animals.
(1) 
Wild animals shall not be permitted to be owned or maintained anywhere within the City of Burlington.
(2) 
No exception may be allowed to this section.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction in the City of Burlington Municipal Court or any such other court having jurisdiction, be sentenced to a fine not exceeding $1,250, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or community service for a term not exceeding 90 days, or all of the above. Each day that a violation occurs shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense and subject to the penalty provisions of this article.