Chapter 6.07
CHICKENS
Sections:
6.07.030 Chicken license procedure.
6.07.040 Right to enter property for purpose of inspection.
6.07.050 Keeping of existing chickens.
6.07.010 Chicken management.
Chickens may be kept within the city limits of Soap Lake, provided:
A. No more than four hens, including chickens and chicks, may be kept per single-family residential lot pursuant to subsection (N) of this section. In no event shall the four allowed hens, including chickens or chicks, count toward the accumulative total of household pets pursuant to SLMC 6.05.050.
B. No roosters are allowed.
C. Chickens, except for chicks, shall not be kept inside any permitted dwelling.
D. Henhouses, coops and chicken tractors must be set back at least 15 feet from all property lines. No henhouse, coop or tractor may be located within 20 feet of any neighboring residence.
E. Henhouses, coops and chicken tractors shall be kept at least five feet from any other structure including decks.
F. Henhouses, coops and chicken tractors shall provide for adequate shelter, be kept clean and maintained so that dust, manure and odors are not detectable beyond any property line. When a conflict arises as to the proper care and housing of chickens the standards set forth as found in the February 2009 Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) Standards for chickens shall apply.
G. Henhouses, coops and chicken tractors including chicken runs shall not exceed 120 square feet in size and shall not exceed eight feet in height at the structure’s highest point.
H. Henhouses and coops shall provide at least four square feet of space per chicken.
I. Chicken tractors shall provide at least four square feet of space per chicken.
J. Henhouses, coops and chicken tractors shall be restricted to the backyard area of a single-family residential lot.
K. Henhouses, coops and chicken tractors shall be set back from any body of water in compliance with the city of Soap Lake’s shoreline master plan and critical areas ordinance as each are currently enacted or hereinafter amended.
L. Henhouses, coops and chicken tractors shall be set back 100 feet from any public or private well.
M. Chickens shall not be allowed to run at large and shall be enclosed within a henhouse, coop or chicken tractor at all times.
N. Chickens shall be allowed only on single-family residential lots containing a maximum of one residence.
O. Chicken manure shall be managed so as not to create a nuisance or be in violation of Chapter 8.21 SLMC as currently enacted or hereinafter amended.
P. Chickens shall not be slaughtered within the city limits.
Q. All chicken feed or food set aside for chickens shall be stored in rodent proof containers and feeders.
R. All structures used to house or care for chickens, including henhouses, coops and chicken tractors, shall be maintained in a manner to ensure that rodents are not present.
S. Any rodent activity in the vicinity of any chicken structure or enclosure shall require the licensed owner of the chickens to eradicate the rodents in compliance with local, state and federal laws. (Ord. 1148 § 1, 2012).
6.07.020 Chicken license.
A. Annual License. A single license to keep up to four chickens per single-family residential lot shall be obtained annually by the owner as provided for in SLMC 6.07.030.
B. License Expiration. A chicken license shall expire one year from the date of issuance.
C. Exemptions from License Fees. The following are exempt from license fees:
1. Chickens in the temporary custody of a veterinarian or animal welfare organization whose owners are unknown; or
2. Chickens owned, and available for retail sale, by the owner or operator of a licensed commercial pet facility. (Ord. 1148 § 1, 2012).
6.07.030 Chicken license procedure.
A. Issuance of Licenses. The city clerk, animal control authority, or the authorized agents thereof shall issue licenses as specified in this section.
1. Annual License to Keep Chickens.
a. An annual license shall be obtained prior to the introduction of chickens on any property within Soap Lake. Said license shall be renewed each year.
b. The annual license fee is $10.00.
c. The annual license shall contain the following:
i. Date of issuance and date of expiration;
ii. A serial number;
iii. The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the chicken(s).
2. Coop License.
a. A one-time coop license from the city of Soap Lake shall be obtained before chickens are harbored. If ownership or location of the coop is changed, then a new coop license shall be obtained. Soap Lake officials shall conduct a site visit to ensure compliance with the city siting requirements.
b. The cost of the coop license shall be $50.00.
c. The following items shall be submitted with an application for a coop license:
i. Completed application form provided by the city of Soap Lake accompanied by the appropriate license fee.
ii. Site plan showing existing structures and property lines, the location of the proposed coop and fenced enclosure area and the distance of the coop and fenced area from structures and property lines.
iii. Evidence that a site visit was conducted by the city.
B. Transferability of Licenses. Annual and coop licenses are not transferable from one chicken owner to another. (Ord. 1148 § 1, 2012).
6.07.040 Right to enter property for purpose of inspection.
The coop license and annual license shall contain provisions allowing for designated city representatives to enter the property of the licensee for the purpose of verifying compliance with this chapter. (Ord. 1148 § 1, 2012).
6.07.050 Keeping of existing chickens.
Any citizen legally possessing chickens at the time the ordinance codified in this chapter is repealed or amended to prohibit the keeping of chickens, shall be allowed to maintain those chickens unless ordered otherwise pursuant to this title until the chickens expire or are removed by the owner. In no event shall any owner be allowed to add to the number of chickens kept, or to replace any of those existing chickens which expire, after the ordinance codified in this chapter is repealed or amended to prohibit the keeping of chickens. (Ord. 1161 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1148 § 1, 2012).