[Ord. No. 1046, 8-24-2023]
A.
Purpose And Intent. The purpose of this Article is to regulate the keeping of chickens in residential areas, to promote sustainable practices, provide access to locally sourced food, and promote community education on urban agriculture while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the community and animals.
B.
Application. The regulations apply only to all platted property containing an occupied single-family home within the City of Wright City. It shall be unlawful for any person coming within the provisions of this Section to own, keep or harbor upon his/her premises any chickens except as provided herein. Nothing herein shall be deemed to permit the keeping of roosters, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, or other domestic fowl.
C.
No poultry shall be housed or confined within twenty-five (25) feet of any single-family dwelling that is located upon any adjoining lot. No more than four (4) hens are allowed. Keeping of roosters is prohibited.
D.
No poultry shall be kept or raised pursuant to this Section for a commercial purpose.
E.
Hens shall be provided with access to feed and clean water at all times. The feed and water shall be unavailable to rodents, wild birds and predators.
F.
The chicken owner shall take necessary action to reduce the attraction of predators and rodents and potential infestation of insects and parasites.
G.
Chicken Run. Hens shall be confined in an enclosure by a secure fence to prevent their escape ("chicken run") meeting the following specifications:
1.
Constructed of wire mesh, wire grid, or chicken wire, or permissive fence material;
2.
Six (6) feet in height or less;
3.
The area enclosed by the fence shall contain a minimum of ten (10) square feet per hen;
4.
Not containing more than two hundred (200) square feet in total size;
5.
Fifteen (15) feet setback from any property line and at least twenty-five (25) feet from a neighboring residence; and
6.
Located entirely in the rear yard of the residential lot.
H.
Chicken Coop. The chicken coop shall be located within or adjacent to the fenced confinement. No more than one (1) chicken coop shall be permitted on any lot. The chicken coop shall meet the following specifications:
1.
A roof constructed of standard building material, but not a tarpaulin;
2.
Walls constructed of wood or metal, windowed or screened, which are six (6) feet or less in height;
3.
Materials used shall be uniform for each element of the structure 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;
4.
The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal, or similar materials is prohibited;
5.
Fifteen (15) feet setback from any property line and at least twenty-five (25) from a neighboring residence;
6.
Located entirely in the rear yard of the residence;
7.
Structurally sound flooring shall be maintained and meet the requirements of this Section;
8.
Contain a minimum of four (4) square feet per animal kept, but cannot exceed one hundred (100) square feet in total size; and
9.
Must provide adequate ventilation and adequate sun and shade and must be impermeable to rodents, wild birds and predators, including dogs and cats.
I.
Sanitation. Both the chicken run and coop shall be maintained as to not pose a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare or to cause a public nuisance. No material from the enclosure area or coop shall run off onto adjoining property. Any manure or waste shall be collected and properly removed from the premises or tilled into the soil promptly and regularly to prevent offensive smells or conditions conducive to diseases. Odors from chickens, chicken manure or other chicken related substances shall not be perceptible at the property boundaries. Food for the hens shall be stored in a sanitary, leak-proof container that cannot be contaminated by rodents or insects.
J.
Dogs Or Cats. If an owner's cat or dog injures or kills a chicken owned by another and it is determined that an interaction was provoked, occurred in the course of play, or resulted from the animal's innate hunting instincts, the dog or cat shall not be deemed a dangerous animal as defined in Section 205.020.