[Ord. No. 10, 5-8-1911; Ord. No. 687, 11-3-1975]
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or has under his or her control any horse, cow, mule, hog, goat, sheep, or any other animal of like kind, or any chicken, turkey or similar domestic fowl, to permit the same to be at large in the streets or upon premises not his or her own or under his or her care or control within the City or within the police jurisdiction thereof.
[Ord. No. 1035, 6-15-1981; Ord. No. 1698-20, 7-20-2020; Ord. No. 1869-23, 9-18-2023; Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
The keeping of animals other than domestic pets will be allowed only in AG zoning.
(a) 
Distance requirements for swine. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, individually or collectively, to keep within the City limits of the City of Albertville, Alabama, any animals of the swine type unless the land is zoned AG-1 or AG-2 and the animals are kept at all times at a distance of 300 feet or more from any residence, other than the residence of the keeper of said animals, church, school, public building, park, playground or cafe.
(b) 
Distance requirements for horses, cows, sheep, rabbits, monkeys and fowl. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, individually or collectively, to keep within the City limits of the City of Albertville, Alabama, any animals of the equine type and animals of the bovine type, any animal of the ovine type and rabbits or animals of the hare family, any monkeys, or any fowl, to include chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, quail, pheasants, or other fowl, unless the land is zoned AG-1 or AG-2 and the animals are kept at all times at a distance of 200 feet or more from any residence, other than the residence of the keeper of said animals or fowl, church, school, public building, park, playground or cafe.
(c) 
Exceptions. This section shall not apply to:
(1) 
Animal and fowl slaughterhouses, licensed under permit by the Marshall County Health Department.
(2) 
Animals and fowl in veterinary hospitals operated by duly licensed veterinarians.
(3) 
Baby fowl such as baby chicks transported into the City of Albertville for selling purposes, or kept within the City for selling purposes.
(4) 
Animals or fowl kept at hospitals or scientific institutions for scientific purposes.
(5) 
Animals at sale barns not kept for a period longer than seven calendar days.
(6) 
Animals and fowl for show purposes.
(7) 
Animals with circuses or carnivals, which have been issued a permit by the Marshall County Health Department for operating within the City of Albertville.
(8) 
Keeping of domestic chickens as addressed in § 4-1.2.
(d) 
Sanitary requirements. Having complied with the requirements of Subsections (a) through (c), above, such premises where animals and/or fowl are permitted shall at all times to be kept in a sanitary condition acceptable to the County Health Officer of Marshall County for the protection of the public health. Every house, stable, shed or barn where animals and/or fowls are kept shall be dry and well drained with no fly breeding or rat harborage present.
(e) 
Penalty. Any violation of this section shall be deemed by the City of Albertville, Alabama, a misdemeanor, and shall be punished as provided in § 1-8 of this Code. The minimum fine shall be $25. Each day of any such violation of this section shall be deemed a separate and punishable offense.
[Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
(a) 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for the keeping of domestic chickens in single-family residential zones within the City of Albertville. This section aims to allow residents to keep a limited number of hens for noncommercial purposes, such as personal egg production, while ensuring minimal adverse impacts on neighboring properties and maintaining public health, safety, and sanitation.
(b) 
Applicability. The provisions of this section shall govern the keeping of domestic chickens within the corporate limits of the City of Albertville.
(c) 
Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
DOMESTIC POULTRY OR CHICKENS
Any species of female chicken (hens).
HENHOUSE
An enclosed structure designed for the purpose of keeping and securing hens.
RUN
A fenced area meant for the keeping of hens.
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
A zoning district designated for single-family detached dwellings, including single-family residential PUD (planned unit development) districts.
(d) 
Permit; general requirements. Application for a permit shall be submitted to the City's Building Department on a form provided by the City, accompanied by plans, drawings, photographs, or other documentation as required to verify compliance with this section. The keeping of domestic chickens is permitted in single-family residential zones, subject to the following:
(1) 
Eligible properties. Chickens may be kept only on parcels containing an occupied single-family detached dwelling as the principal structure. The permit holder must reside in the dwelling.
(2) 
Number of hens.
a. 
For parcels with a minimum lot area of 7,500 square feet, up to six hens may be kept.
b. 
For parcels exceeding 10,000 square feet, one additional hen is permitted for every 2,000 square feet above 10,000, up to a maximum of 10 hens per parcel.
(3) 
Prohibited activities.
a. 
Keeping roosters, crowing hens, peafowl, or waterfowl is prohibited.
b. 
Slaughtering chickens within City limits is prohibited.
c. 
Breeding chickens or producing eggs or fertilizer for commercial purposes is prohibited.
(4) 
Containment.
a. 
Hens must be kept in a henhouse or run at all times, except when in an enclosed rear yard during daylight hours under the personal supervision of the resident.
b. 
It shall be unlawful for chickens to run at large within the City limits.
(5) 
Nuisance prevention.
a. 
The keeping of chickens shall not create a nuisance, including but not limited to noxious odors, loud or persistent noise, rodent or pest infestation, or unsanitary conditions.
b. 
Nuisance conditions shall be determined by the City of Albertville Ordinance Officer, Animal Control Officer, or Police Department, or the Marshall County Health Department.
(6) 
Predator and pest control. Permit holders shall take necessary actions to prevent the attraction of predators, rodents, or insects, including securing feed and maintaining sanitary conditions.
(e) 
Henhouse and run requirements.
(1) 
Location.
a. 
Henhouses and runs shall be located in the rear yard only.
b. 
On corner or double-frontage lots, henhouses and runs shall be at least 50 feet from any public right-of-way.
c. 
Henhouses and runs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any property line and 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling, church, school, or place of business other than the permit holder's residence.
(2) 
Design standards.
a. 
Henhouses shall be fully enclosed with a roof and secure access door, ventilated, and impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators (e.g., raccoons, skunks, dogs, cats).
b. 
Henhouses shall be elevated at least 18 inches above ground, with all openings (except access doors) sealed with rodent- and predator-proof wire mesh (1/4 inch or smaller openings).
c. 
Runs shall be fully enclosed, including a roof, with a fence of five to six feet in height, constructed of 1/4 inch metal mesh hardware cloth (chicken wire is prohibited) and buried to prevent predator entry.
d. 
The henhouse shall be freestanding and accessible on all sides for cleaning and maintenance.
e. 
The total area of the henhouse and run shall provide at least six square feet per hen, with the henhouse providing at least two square feet per hen.
f. 
The henhouse shall not exceed eight feet in height or 36 square feet in area. The run shall not exceed 80 square feet in area.
g. 
Materials shall be suitable for single-family residential zones, and prefabricated henhouses are permitted if they meet these standards.
(3) 
Sanitation requirements.
a. 
Henhouses and runs shall be maintained in a clean, dry, odor-free, and sanitary condition at all times.
b. 
Droppings shall be cleaned at least weekly, and henhouses/runs shall be thoroughly cleaned with a standard disinfectant three times per year (March, July, October).
c. 
Hens shall have continuous access to feed and clean water.
(f) 
Enforcement and penalties.
(1) 
Violation of any provision of this section shall be subject to the general penalty provisions of § 1-8 of this Code.
(2) 
The City may revoke a permit for noncompliance or when necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare.
(3) 
Code Enforcement, Animal Control, or the Police Department may inspect properties to ensure compliance.
(g) 
Compliance with Alabama State Code. This section complies with Alabama State Code, which does not explicitly regulate backyard chickens but allows municipalities to establish reasonable restrictions under their zoning and nuisance authority (Code of Alabama § 11-52-1 et seq.). This section ensures public health and safety while permitting limited urban agriculture.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 4-2, Fierce animals, adopted 1-11-1955 by Ord. No. 200, was repealed 6-2-2026 by Ord. No. 2040-26. See now Art. III, Vicious or Dangerous Animals.
All animals found at large in violation of this article may be impounded and disposed of as provided in §§ 4-23 and 4-24 and the fees and charges shall be as provided in § 4-25, except the provisions thereof which are applicable only to dogs.
[Ord. No. 633, 12-2-1974; Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
(a) 
The entire area embraced within the corporate limits of the City of Albertville is hereby designated as a bird sanctuary.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot or attempt to shoot or molest in any manner any bird or wild fowl or to rob bird nests or wild fowl nests; provided, however, if starlings or similar birds are found to be congregating in such numbers in a particular locality that they constitute a nuisance or menace to health or property in the opinion of the Chief of Police, then, in such event, the Chief of Police shall meet the representatives of the Audubon Society, bird club, garden club or humane society, or as many of said clubs as are found to exist in the City, after having given at least three days' actual notice of the time and place of said meeting to the representatives of said clubs. No failure to properly notify any such organization shall prohibit the destruction of birds as hereinafter set out. If as a result of said meeting no satisfactory alternative is found to abate such nuisance, then said birds may be destroyed in such numbers and in such manner as is deemed advisable by said health authorities under the supervision of the Chief of Police.
(c) 
Anyone violating the provisions of this section shall be punished as provided in § 1-8 of this Code.
[Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
(a) 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate animals within the City of Albertville that create excessive noise or engage in behaviors constituting a public nuisance, ensuring the peace, quiet, comfort, and repose of residents while maintaining public health, safety, and welfare.
(b) 
Applicability. The provisions of this section shall govern the keeping of animals within the corporate limits of the City of Albertville.
(c) 
Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
ANIMAL
Means any non-human creature, including but not limited to dogs, cats, or other domestic animals.
OWNER or PERSON IN CHARGE
Means any person who owns, possesses, keeps, or has custody or control of an animal.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Means any act or condition caused by an animal that unreasonably interferes with the peace, quiet, comfort, or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities or causes damage to property.
(d) 
Public nuisance prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess, or maintain an animal or animals within the City of Albertville in such a manner as to constitute a public nuisance. By way of example and not of limitation, the following acts or actions by an owner or person in charge of an animal are declared to be public nuisances and are therefore unlawful:
(1) 
Allowing or permitting an animal to damage the property of anyone other than its owner, including but not limited to getting into or turning over garbage containers, damaging gardens, flowers, or vegetables, or defecating upon the property of another.
(2) 
Keeping on a residential lot or premises within the City any animal or group of animals known to such person to habitually, continuously, or intermittently make or emit sounds or noises of such volume and nature as unreasonably to interfere with or disturb the peace, quiet, comfort, and repose of a person of ordinary sensibilities within the neighborhood in the reasonable use and enjoyment of adjacent property.
(3) 
Maintaining an animal that habitually or repeatedly chases, snaps at, attacks, or barks at pedestrians, joggers, bicycles, other vehicles, or animals being walked on a leash.
(e) 
Noisy animals.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful and a nuisance for any person to keep on any tract, lot, or premises within the City of Albertville any animal or group of animals, whether housed in a corral, kennel, building, or other structure, under such circumstances that the sounds or noises emitted by such animals are of such volume and nature as unreasonably to interfere with or disturb the peace, quiet, comfort, and repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities in the reasonable use and enjoyment of any adjacent property used for residential purposes.
(2) 
Any owner or person in charge who is found in violation of this section shall be guilty of maintaining a nuisance.
(f) 
Enforcement and penalties.
(1) 
No prosecution shall be commenced and no arrest made pursuant to this section except upon affidavit made before and warrant issued by a municipal judge or magistrate of the City of Albertville.
(2) 
Any owner or person in charge found guilty of violating this section shall be subject to the general penalty provisions of § 1-8 of this Code.
(g) 
Compliance with Alabama State Code. This section complies with Alabama State Code, which allows municipalities to regulate nuisances under their general police powers (Code of Alabama § 11-45-1 et seq.). This section ensures public health, safety, and welfare by addressing animal-related disturbances in a manner consistent with state law.