Chapter 6.12
CHICKENS
Sections:
6.12.040 Permit revocation—Appeals.
6.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the keeping of chickens in a manner that will not endanger the health, peace and safety of the citizens of the city and will promote that the chickens will be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and not be subject to suffering, cruelty or abuse. (Ord. 687 § 1 (part), 2018)
6.12.020 Conditions.
Chickens may be kept and maintained only on residentially zoned properties in the city as uses accessory to the residential use of the property and only in accordance with other city regulations pertaining to animals and subject to the following conditions and requirements:
A. The owner or occupant (with permission of the owner) must secure and maintain a permit from the city issued pursuant to Section 6.12.030 prior to keeping chickens on the subject property.
B. No more than six chickens shall be permitted to be kept for each one-family dwelling unit, as that term is defined in Title 17, that is occupied and exists on the property.
C. Male chickens or roosters are not allowed.
D. Chickens shall be kept in a well-ventilated, enclosed coop constructed to protect the chickens against varying weather conditions and predators. The coop shall have an attached, enclosed run, or shall be fully surrounded and enclosed by fencing. The coop and run/fence combined shall provide a minimum of eight square feet of ground space per chicken. If fencing is used in lieu of an enclosed run, chicken wings must be trimmed to avoid flight or escape from the fence. Fencing must also comply with applicable requirements set forth in Title 17.
E. All coops shall be located within a side or rear yard only. Coops, including runs or fencing, shall be at least twenty-five feet from any neighboring dwelling and ten feet from any property line. No portion of any coop, run, or fence shall be within ten feet of any property line unless the property line abuts an alley.
F. All coops, including runs or fencing, shall be kept in a neat, sanitary, dust-free condition and must be cleaned on a regular basis so as to prevent offensive odors. Regular removal of waste, food, bedding, and other debris shall be performed to eliminate accumulation of insects, rodents, or disease and to eliminate noxious or offensive odors detectable beyond any property line; provided, however, waste shall not be disposed of in such a way as to enter the city’s sewer or stormwater system.
G. At no time shall any chicken be allowed to run at large. (Ord. 687 § 1 (part), 2018)
6.12.030 Permit required.
A. Chickens may only be kept or maintained on qualifying residential property pursuant to a valid permit issued by the city pursuant to this section. An application for a permit for keeping chickens shall be submitted on a form provided by the city and accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee.
B. Each application for a chicken permit must include the following information:
1. Name and mailing address of applicant. If the applicant is a tenant or occupant of the property where the chickens are proposed to be kept, the owner must also approve the application.
2. Number of chickens proposed to be kept, up to six.
3. Physical location address and identification of zoning where chicken(s) will be kept.
4. A property site plan of the proposed coop and run/fencing drawn to scale. The site plan must identify the location of the chicken coop and enclosure as they relate to the property lines and setbacks outlined in this chapter.
5. Description of coop or enclosure material and size.
6. Description of attached run or fencing material and size.
7. Signature of owner(s) and/or occupant(s).
C. Each application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee, which fee is established by resolution of the city council from time to time.
D. The completed application must be mailed or delivered to the city clerk at City Hall.
E. The mayor’s authorized designee will review each application for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the standards set forth in this chapter. The mayor’s authorized designee will issue a determination on the application within thirty days of the date of receipt of the complete application. If the mayor’s designee rejects an application for failure to meet the requirements in this chapter, the application fee will not be refunded. If the application meets the requirements set forth in this chapter, the mayor or designee will cause the permit to be issued.
F. Permits must be renewed annually from the date of issuance. The annual permit renewal fee shall be established from time to time by city council. Renewal fees not paid within thirty days render a permit revoked. Once a permit has been revoked for failure to pay licensing fees, the owner or occupant must apply for a new permit using the procedures set forth above. (Ord. 687 § 1 (part), 2018)
6.12.040 Permit revocation—Appeals.
A. Any violation of Section 6.12.020(B) through (G) will result in revocation of the permit to keep or maintain chickens at the subject property. Whether a violation has occurred will be determined by the authorized designee appointed by the mayor.
B. An owner or occupant may appeal the decision to revoke the permit to the mayor. The appeal must be filed in writing with the city clerk within ten days of the date of receipt of notice that the permit has been revoked. Once the appeal has been filed, the city clerk shall schedule an appeal hearing with the mayor to occur no less than five days and no more than thirty days following receipt of the appeal. The mayor shall conduct an informal hearing with the appellant, and render a written decision on the appeal within ten days of the hearing. The mayor’s decision shall be final. There shall be no appeals to the city council.
C. Once a permit has been revoked, the owner or occupant will be prohibited from obtaining a permit to keep or maintain chickens on the subject property or any other property occupied by that owner/occupant for a period of two years. (Ord. 687 § 1 (part), 2018)
6.12.050 Violation—Penalty.
In addition to permit revocation for violations set forth in Section 6.12.040, a violation of any provision in this chapter shall subject the violator to a maximum monetary civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars for the first offense and a maximum monetary civil penalty of five hundred dollars for each subsequent offense committed within a twelve-month period. (Ord. 687 § 1 (part), 2018)