Chapter 6.12
DOMESTIC CHICKENS AND RABBITS
Sections:
6.12.010 Keeping of domestic chickens and rabbits.
6.12.050 Chickens and rabbits at large.
6.12.010 Keeping of domestic chickens and rabbits.
The intent of this chapter is to provide for and establish standards for the keeping of chickens and rabbits in a manner which will not endanger the health, peace and safety of the citizens of the city and which will assure that chickens and rabbits are kept in a clean and sanitary condition and not subjected to suffering, cruelty or abuse. (Ord. 1455 § 2 (part), 2015).
6.12.020 Definitions.
(a) “Other avian species” means duck, quail, turkey, goose, pheasant, chukar, or other known avian species.
(b) “Coop” means a structure generally made from wood and mesh wire for keeping chickens.
(c) “Hutch” means a structure made for keeping rabbits.
(d) “Run” means an enclosed outdoor area attached to a coop to allow exercise for chickens. (Ord. 1455 § 2 (part), 2015).
6.12.030 Requirements.
(a) No more than three chickens are allowed at each single-family dwelling.
(b) Roosters are not permitted.
(c) No more than three rabbits over the age of two months are allowed at each single-family dwelling.
(d) Property owner must obtain a permit for keeping chickens and rabbits on their property. The permit fee is ten dollars per year per location. The application must include the property description and the location of the coop on the property.
(e) Other avian species are not allowed to be kept or maintained within the city limits except carrier pigeons as listed in Section 17.56.120, parakeets, parrots, finches, canaries, and other small domestic pet birds.
(f) Chicks and rabbits may be kept commercially by licensed businesses on a periodic basis while they are for sale. (Ord. 1455 § 2 (part), 2015).
6.12.040 Housing standards.
(a) Chickens and rabbits shall be housed in an enclosure that is designed to be predator proof, thoroughly ventilated, water-tight, easily accessed and cleaned, and a minimum of a combined ten square feet of coop and run area per chicken.
(b) Direct access from the coop to an outdoor enclosure shall be provided with the outdoor enclosure designed to be predator proof.
(c) All coops and runs shall be located within a side or rear yard only. Coops shall be at least twenty-five feet from any neighboring dwelling and ten feet from any property line. No portion of any run shall be within ten feet of any property line unless the property line abuts an alley.
(d) All coops and runs shall be kept in a neat, sanitary, dust-free condition and must be cleaned at least once a week or more frequently if, in the opinion of the code enforcement officer, it is necessary to prevent an unsanitary condition.
(e) Proposed coops and runs will be inspected by the code enforcement officer prior to the license being issued. (Ord. 1455 § 2 (part), 2015).
6.12.050 Chickens and rabbits at large.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation having custody or control of any chicken or rabbit to permit such animal to be present upon any public street, sidewalk, school ground, public park, playground or any public place, or any unenclosed private property not owned or lawfully possessed by such person, or upon any private property without the consent of the owner or lawful possessor thereof. (Ord. 1455 § 2 (part), 2015).
6.12.060 Prohibited.
(a) No person shall own, possess, harbor, control or keep on any premises, any chicken or rabbit that continuously or incessantly makes noise for a period of twenty minutes or intermittently for an hour or more as to unreasonably disturb the peace or quiet of any person.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to kill or butcher any chicken or rabbit in open public view within the city limits except if determined to be necessary by a police or animal control officer. (Ord. 1455 § 2 (part), 2015).
6.12.070 Violation—Penalty.
Any person or persons violating any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed a civil infraction and shall be subject to a C-11 penalty. If any violation is continuing, each day’s violation shall be deemed as a separate violation. A violation may also result in revocation of the license. The continued keeping of chickens or rabbits after nonissuance or revocation of a license may result in the seizure of the animals. The cost of housing shall be five dollars per day per animal. The animal will be held for seventy-two hours in order for the animal to become licensed or the conditions causing revocation to be corrected. Animals held past seventy-two hours may be destroyed or transferred. (Ord. 1455 § 2 (part), 2015).