The purpose of this chapter is to enable chicken keeping on residential lots for the purpose of family food production. This chapter is intended to encourage urban residential agriculture while preserving the health, safety and well-being of both humans and animals, minimizing potential nuisances to neighboring property owners, as well as minimizing issues with rodents, insects, vermin, pests, and diseases. This chapter establishes the requirements for keeping chickens which are intended to reduce potential negative impacts that may otherwise be associated with residential chickens in populated areas. (Ord. 21-02, 2-2-2021)

This chapter applies to all properties used as a single-family detached home. (Ord. 21-02, 2-2-2021)

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall be construed as defined in this section:

   COOP:   An enclosed structure designed for the purpose of keeping and securing chickens.

   DOMESTIC CHICKEN:   Breeds of Gallus gallus domesticus. Not a household pet.

   HEN:   A female chicken, and may also be referred to as a pullet.

   RUN:   An area outside of the coop where hens can roam, and that is completely enclosed with chicken wire or equivalent material.

   ROOSTER:   A male chicken. (Ord. 21-02, 2-2-2021)

   A.   General Provisions

      1.   Number of Chickens Permitted: Hens are permitted under this ordinance as determined in the table below:

 

 

      2.   Roosters are not permitted.

      3.   Residential Chickens are required to be kept in a coop, and when outside of the coop chickens shall be confined to a run.

      4.   Chickens are not permitted to roam free outside of a coop or run structure on a single-family residential lot.

   B.   Requirements

      1.   Lot Requirements:

         a.   Chickens and coops are permitted in a fenced rear yard or completely fenced corner lot side yard. A chicken run may not be considered as a fence or substituted for a fenced yard.

         b.   Chickens may not be kept in any front or side yard area;

         c.   Coops shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet away from all property lines;

         d.   Coops shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet away from all dwellings;

         e.   Coops shall be located a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from all dwellings on adjacent lots.

      2.   Coop and Run Structure Requirements:

         a.   The combined coop and run structures shall have a minimum floor size of four (4) square feet per chicken;

         b.   All coop and run structures shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height;

         c.   All sides of a coop and run are required to be enclosed, and secured from predators and rodents by including a rodent-proof ceiling and floor;

         d.   A coop and run shall have adequate ventilation with access to light and air on more than one side;

         e.   All openings shall be covered with predator proof wire with openings no greater than one-quarter (1/4) inch in diameter.

      3.   Health and Sanitation Requirements:

         a.   Coops and runs are required to be kept clean and maintained in such a manner to promote the health of the chickens, to mitigate odor sources, and to limit the presence of rodents, insects, vermin, pests, and disease;

         b.   Feed containers shall be made of rodent and predator proof materials;

         c.   Fresh water is required for chickens at all times and shall be enclosed within both the coop and run structures;

         d.   Slaughtering of chickens is prohibited outdoors;

         e.   Dead birds and rotting eggs are required to be removed within twenty-four (24) hours. (Ord. 21-02, 2-2-2021)

   A.   Residents keeping chickens in a single-family residential zone must register the following information with the City:

      1.   Address of the property;

      2.   Primary person responsible for chicken keeping;

      3.   A valid phone number and/or email address;

      4.   Number of chickens proposed to be kept; and

      5.   Acknowledgment and agreement to the standards of this chapter. (Ord. 21-02, 2-2-2021)

Upon receiving a complaint or observation that the standards of this section are in violation, the code enforcement officer or representatives of the Salt Lake Valley Health Department are authorized to conduct necessary inspections to determine compliance. If a violation is determined, then city staff may require removal of animals in conformance with the provisions of Title 17 of the Murray City Land Use Ordinance. (Ord. 25-38: Ord. 21-02, 2-2-2021)