§ 6-11.1. Regulations on the keeping of chickens.

(a)

A person commits an offense if he keeps or maintains:

(1)

More than one (1) rooster without having a minimum of six (6) hens or more than twenty-five (25) chickens total, including the rooster, on land of one (1) acre or less.

(2)

More than one (1) rooster for every six (6) hens on land greater than one (1) acre.

(b)

A person commits an offense if he houses or keeps chickens in a structure or enclosure at a distance within twenty-five (25) feet from any building or structure used or intended for human occupancy or human habitation located on another's property.

(c)

A person commits an offense if he keeps or maintains chickens in an enclosure that is not:

(1)

Designed, erected, and maintained in accordance with applicable building and zoning requirements of city code;

(2)

A three (3) or more sided structure with a minimum of one (1) square foot of roosting area per chicken with a roof or cover to allow the chickens to remain dry and protected from the elements and has direct access from the roosting area to an outdoor enclosure that is a minimum of ten (10) square feet of ground area per chicken;

(3)

Constructed and maintained to reasonably prevent the collection of standing water;

(4)

Easily accessed;

(5)

Cleaned of droppings, uneaten feed, feathers, and other waste weekly or more often as needed to prevent foul odor;

(6)

Predator proof; and

(7)

Thoroughly ventilated.

(d)

A person commits an offense if he keeps or maintains chickens without fresh water at all times and food in sufficient quantity and with nutritive value to maintain the health of the animal.

(e)

A person commits an offense if he slaughters any chicken in public view.

(f)

A person commits an offense if he keeps or maintains yards, pens, coops, or other enclosures in which chickens are confined in such a manner as to give off odors offensive to persons of ordinary sensibilities residing in the vicinity, or to breed or attract flies, mosquitoes or other noxious insects or rodents, or in any manner to endanger the public health, safety or welfare, or to create a public nuisance.

(g)

Affirmative defense. It is an affirmative defense to this section if a person keeps or maintains a rooster when it is:

(1)

Being exhibited during a special event approved by the city;

(2)

Owned by and kept on premises of a governmental entity for the purposes of a research, educational, or similar program conducted by a governmental entity;

(3)

Owned by and kept on premises of a medical, educational, or research institution for scientific or educational purposes, operating in compliance with all city ordinances and state and federal laws.

( Ord. No. 2017-9935, § 2, 4-6-17 )