(a)

The maximum number of domestic hens permitted to be kept on a property zoned RR—rural residential, R1—one family residential or R1A—one family residential use shall be limited to six hens.

(b)

The keeping of roosters and the slaughter of any hen or rooster is prohibited.

(c)

All chicken coops shall be approved through the city's building permit process with a minimum required coop size of three square feet per hen. The chicken coop area, including chicken coops and any adjacent occupied fence area must not exceed 64 square feet, and shall be set 30 feet back from any adjacent residential structure, and not less than ten feet from the property line. Hens shall be kept in the chicken coop and/or the fenced area adjacent to the chicken coop. Chicken wire may be used as an appropriate material on the chicken coop and fenced in area adjacent to the chicken coop.

(d)

A chicken coop permit issued by the city shall be required prior to the installation of any chicken coops. Any one desiring a permit for a coop shall pay a $25.00 fee to the city. Permits shall be valid for a period of 12 months, and renewals shall be subject to an inspection demonstrating continuing compliance with this section. There shall be a limit of 15 total permits to be issued within the city.

(e)

All electrical services must be inspected and approved by the county building department. Extension cords may not be used to provide power to chicken coops.

(f)

All chicken coops shall be constructed, cleaned and maintained in a manner to be free of rodent/insect infestation. All areas where hens are kept shall be maintained neat and clean, and free of undue accumulation of waste such as to cause odors detectable on adjacent property. The owner shall not allow hens to produce unreasonable noise loud enough to disturb the reasonable peace of neighbors.

(g)

In order to be allowed to have hens on residential properties, the property must be zoned RR, R1 or R1A. The owner shall allow inspections related to the keeping of such hens from the city code enforcement and zoning department.

(Ord. No. 2808, § 3, 8-5-2024)