Chapter 7.17
Small Outdoor Animals
Sections:
7.17.020 Chicken requirements.
7.17.030 Honey bee keeping (apiary) requirements.
7.17.010 General provisions.
(a) Small outdoor animals include female chickens, pigeons, honey bees, and rabbits as these animals are generally viewed as pets, but not typically kept indoors as defined by “household pets.”
(b) Small outdoor animals are only permitted as an associated use on lots occupied by a single-family residence. Additionally, a combined total of no more than 10 small outdoor animals shall be permitted in association with any single-family residence.
(c) Structures. The following criteria applies to all structures intended to house small outdoor animals such as coops, henhouses, chicken tractors, cages, aviaries, apiaries, etc:
(1) All said structures are prohibited between the primary street frontage and the residence.
(2) All said structures shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line and 15 feet from any neighboring residence.
(3) All said structures shall be limited to not exceed 200 square feet in size and shall not exceed seven feet in height.
(4) All said structures shall provide for adequate shelter and be kept clean and maintained so that dust, manure, and odors are not detectable beyond any property line.
(d) Rodents.
(1) All feed and food set aside for small outdoor animals shall be stored in rodent-proof containers and feeders.
(2) Any rodent activity in the vicinity of any animal structure or enclosure shall require the owner of the outdoor animal to eradicate the rodents in compliance with local, State, and federal laws. (Ord. 15-1001 § 7).
7.17.020 Chicken requirements.
In addition to the general provisions for small outdoor animals, the following criteria must also be met:
(a) Female chickens (no roosters) may be kept as an associated use to a single-family residence within the City limits of DuPont. Roosters are prohibited.
(b) Number of Chickens. The maximum number of chickens depends on lot size in which the single-family home is located. One chicken is permitted for every 1,000 square feet of total lot area. In no circumstance shall the total number of chickens exceed 10 chickens.
(c) Yard Size. The yard in which the chicken will be residing shall include a minimum of 200 square feet for each bird. This yard is not required to be solely dedicated to the chickens, but must be directly adjacent to the coop and made available to the chickens. (Ord. 15-1001 § 7).
7.17.030 Honey bee keeping (apiary) requirements.
In addition to the general provisions for small outdoor animals, the following criteria must also be met:
(a) No more than two hives per lot are allowed. For the purposes of counting the total number of outdoor animals, each hive shall count as one animal.
(b) Colonies shall be maintained in small moveable frame hives.
(c) Adequate space shall be maintained in the hives to prevent overcrowding and swarming.
(d) Colonies shall be requeened with a young hybrid queen annually, or as often as necessary to prevent swarming or aggressive behavior.
(e) All colonies shall be registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture in accordance with apiary law, Chapter 15.60 RCW. This chapter is intended to be supplemental to the procedures in Chapter 15.60 RCW, and in case of any conflict Chapter 15.60 RCW shall govern.
(f) Hives shall not be located within 25 feet of any property line, except under the following conditions when the hive shall remain a minimum of five feet from the property line:
(1) When situated eight feet or more above the adjacent ground level;
(2) When there is a solid fence at least six feet high separating the hive from the property line, extending at least 20 feet from the hive along the property line in both directions.
(g) Bees living in trees, buildings or any other space (except in movable frame hives), abandoned colonies or diseased bees shall constitute a public nuisance and shall be abated, as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 15-1001 § 7).