(A)   Permitted activities.

      (1)   The keeping or raising of chickens within village limits shall be permitted only in residential districts, or on unzoned parcels. "Chickens" as used herein does not include roosters, which are not permitted.

      (2)   The keeping or raising of chickens is permitted only on parcels on which the record owners actually reside.

      (3)   At least 7,260 square feet on a parcel shall be required for each chicken, with a maximum of six domestic per parcel.

      (4)   When outdoors, chickens must be kept securely enclosed in a yard or pen that is regularly cleaned to prevent the accumulation of chicken waste.

      (5)   All structures used for keeping or raising chicken must be at least ten feet feet away from any property line.

      (6)   No structures or fencing used for keeping or raising chickens may be situated in a front or side yard in a residential district.

      (7)   Any person wishing to keep or raise chickens must receive written permission from owners of all directly adjoining properties, which shall be recorded as part of the permit application process. In the event that an adjoining property changes ownership, permission must be received in writing from the new owner, with the record to be maintained at Village Hall.

      (8)   All chickens shall be kept or raised strictly for personal or household use. Commercial use of chickens and eggs is prohibited.

      (9)   All feed must be stored in a rodent-proof container and chickens must not be fed in a manner likely to attract rodents, such as dispensing the feed on the ground.

      (10)   Water must be provided onsite and be accessible to chickens at all times.

      (11)   No person shall slaughter any chickens within the village.

      (12)   No person shall keep or raise a chicken within the village without first having obtained a permit from the Village Administrator.

   (B)   Permitting process.

      (1)   Any person wishing to keep or raise chickens must submit a permit application. The permit must have been granted before the applicant brings chickens onto the permitted parcel.

      (2)   No permit shall be granted unless it is clear that the applicant is willing to and capable of complying with all regulations and conditions contained within this section.

      (3)   Application for, approval of and acceptance of a permit by the property owner grants the village, through its designee, the right to enter the property to inspect the permit premises at any reasonable time to ensure compliance with the ordinances of the village and the laws of the State of Ohio.

      (4)   The application shall be reviewed by the Village Administrator, who shall personally or through a person to which the Village Administrator delegates the responsibility inspect the site to determine compliance with village ordinances and State of Ohio law.

      (5)   The permit shall be revoked upon the detennination of the Village Administrator that any of the following conditions exist at or on the premises:

         (a)   Any unsafe, unclean, unhealthy or unsanitary condition;

         (b)   Any conditions deemed a public nuisance;

         (c)   Non-compliance with any applicable village ordinance;

         (d)   Non-compliance with any applicable provision of the Ohio Revised Code;

         (e)   Any rooster present on or at the premises;

         (f)   Any breeding operation;

         (g)   Any violation of the Ohio Livestock Standards;

         (h)   Any threat to public health; or

         (i)   Subject parcel is no longer occupied by an owner of the parcel.

      (6)   A permit application shall be accompanied by a fee of $25 to cover processing.

      (7)   The permit must be renewed annually by the property owner. The renewal fee shall be $15.

      (8)   Revocation or non-renewal or a permit requires the immediate removal of the chickens from an affected parcel.

   (C)   Penalties.

      (1)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Every day a violation occurs shall be a separate offense. In the event a person is convicted more than one time in a two-year period, the degree of offense for the second conviction shall be a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

      (2)   A violation of this section is deemed to constitute a nuisance and shall be subject to abatement procedures under the Ohio Revised Code and/or pursuant to the ordinances of the village.

(Ord. 8-2023, passed 5-15-23)