Boonville Restriction on poultry and chicken hens ordinance (§ 4-69)

The keeping of chickens shall be allowed on a detached single-family lot subject to the following conditions and regulations.

(1) An application shall be submitted. Following a review of the application and inspection of the property concluding that the proposed location and facilities comply with all regulations as set out in this section and there are no outstanding violations of local, state, or federal law on the property, and all outstanding fines and invoices due to the city have been paid prior to approval, the city shall issue a permit.

a. The property must be a single-family

residence with a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. A tenant must obtain the landlord's written permission to install a coop or pen. Maximum number of chickens allowed will be determined by lot size and are as follows:

1. 6000—20,000 square feet: eight chickens;

2. 20,001 square feet—one acre: 12 chickens;

3. One acre +: 16 chickens;

4. At the animal control officer's discretion, a variance from the maximum number of chickens may be considered, if the property is zoned agricultural or if the lot size is so great that additional chickens can be accommodated without disturbance to neighbors. Additional terms or conditions may be given in association with the grant of a variance or waiver. b. No roosters are allowed.

c. Chickens shall be confined and not

permitted to run at-large and must not be kept inside the dwelling.

d. No dog or cat which kills a chicken at

large will, for that reason alone, be considered a dangerous or vicious animal.

e. Coops shall be constructed, repaired,

and maintained in a manner to prevent rodents from being harbored underneath or within the walls of the enclosures. Coops shall be built of solid weatherproof materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. Wood shall be treated wood and not particle board that will not withstand outdoor weather conditions. Coop floors shall be made of wood or cement set a minimum of one slope toward the door or other opening to prevent puddling. Coops shall have at least one solid door and window that can be opened for ventilation. Feces shall be removed and disposed of, composted or land applied in a manner to avoid odor.

f. Runs must be situated on a well-drained

area that allows the chickens to have access to dry ground at all times. Feces shall be removed and disposed of, composted or land applied in a manner to avoid odor. Coops and runs may not be located indoors (garage, basement, cellar, or accessory structure). Coop or run may not be located in the front or side yards.

g. Coops/pens and runs cannot be within

ten feet from the applicant residence or within 20 feet of any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school, place of business or other occupied structure. Should 20 feet not be practicable on a lot, the applicant must get a signature from the neighbor consenting to the proposed chicken coop location. Run and coop design, materials, location, and screening shall be reviewed and approved by staff.

h. No slaughtering permitted within the

city limits.

i. No person may breed chickens for sale

or sell any chicken byproducts. Chicken feed must be stored in rat-proof containers. Chickens currently kept shall not be grandfathered or permitted to remain after the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived unless brought into compliance. j. Chickens running at large will be sub-

ject to the provisions of section 4-33. k. Failure of an owner to maintain coops,

pens and/or runs and failure to keep chickens in the designated area may result in revocation of permit and a violation of city ordinance described in section 4-6 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 4572, § 1, 11-15-21) foot above ground level with a slight