The purpose of this article is to define standards that regulate the keeping of chickens on single-family residential parcels while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1126, adopted November 19, 2019)

This article applies to all Single-Family Residential Zones (2-R, 3-R, 7-R) within the unincorporated area of Plumas County.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1126, adopted November 19, 2019)

(a)

"Backyard chickens" or "chicken" shall mean Gallus gallus domesticus and does not include other fowl, such as, but not limited to peacocks, turkeys, or water fowl.

(b)

"Chicken coop" or "coop" shall mean an enclosed structure for housing chickens that provides shelter from the elements.

(c)

"Chicken run" or "run" shall mean an enclosed outside yard for keeping chickens.

(d)

"Rooster" shall mean a male chicken.

(e)

"Single-Family Residential" shall mean the following residential zones: 2-R, 3-R, and 7-R.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1126, adopted November 19, 2019)

(a)

In the Single-Family Residential Zones, a maximum of six (6) chickens shall be permitted per legal parcel.

(b)

The maximum chickens allowed on any parcel in the Single-Family Residential Zone may be increased to twelve (12) on parcels twice or more the minimum lot area of the zoning.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1126, adopted November 19, 2019)

(a)

General requirements.

(1)

The raising of backyard chickens shall only be allowed on properties containing a single-family dwelling with a fenced rear yard area.

(2)

Chickens shall be provided with a covered roosting area (chicken coop) and an enclosed area in which chickens are allowed to walk and run (a chicken run).

(3)

Chickens shall be contained within the coop, run, or contained within the property boundary at all times.

(4)

The chicken coop and chicken run shall be designed and maintained to be well-drained on the property. There shall be no standing water.

(5)

The chicken coop shall be predator-resistant from the sides, top, and bottom, and the chicken run shall be predator-resistant from the sides and top.

(6)

All grains or other loose feed must be stored in containers with tightly fitting lids to prevent the entrance of vermin.

(7)

Animal waste must be removed and disposed of as set forth below:

(i)

No person who owns or controls land shall allow any animal waste, including manure, urine, and defecations, to accumulate on the land and cause a public or private nuisance or a danger to public health, such as fly-breeding conditions and offensive odors. Property owner(s) shall be subject to the requirements of Plumas County Code Section 6-10.117 Animal Waste.

(8)

Electrical power supplied to a chicken coop shall be installed under an appropriate building permit.

(b)

Design requirements.

(1)

All chickens shall be housed in a coop that is designed to:

(i)

Be predator-resistant;

(ii)

Be watertight;

(iii)

Be thoroughly ventilated;

(iv)

Be easily accessed and cleaned;

(v)

Contain one nesting box with no less than one cubic foot for every four (4) chickens;

(vi)

Contain a coop area of no less than two (2) square feet per chicken, excluding nesting boxes; and

(vii)

Contain the chicken roost(s), feeder(s), and water.

(2)

The chicken run shall be attached to the chicken coop allowing the chickens direct access to and from the chicken coop and be:

(i)

Predator-resistant;

(ii)

Thoroughly ventilated;

(iii)

Easily accessed and cleaned;

(iv)

Fenced with materials to sufficiently contain the chickens;

(v)

Constructed with an area of no less than five (5) square feet per chicken; and

(vi)

Contain the feeder(s) and water.

(3)

Yards.

(i)

Front yards: The chicken coop and run shall be located on the rear of the property and behind the residence. For parcels that have a frontage on two (2) sides, the coop and run shall be located on the rear portion of the property that is opposite the side providing street access, with the remaining front having a minimum front yard setback of twenty-five (25') feet from the property line.

(ii)

Side and rear yards: The coop and run must be located at least twenty (20') feet from the nearest adjoining residence or ten (10') feet from any property line, whichever is greater.

(4)

Height. The chicken coop and run shall not exceed seven (7') feet in height.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1126, adopted November 19, 2019)

The following uses shall be prohibited within the Single-Family Residential zoning:

(a)

Commercial sales of chicken eggs.

(b)

Slaughtering processes.

(c)

Roosters.

(§ 1(Exh. A), Ord. 2019-1126, adopted November 19, 2019)