Fulton Limitations on chickens ordinance (§ 14-23)

(a) Number and types of chickens.

(1) The maximum number of chickens allowed is:

a. Six chickens per recorded tract of land, regardless of the number of dwelling units on the property; or

b. Ten per acre of land.

(2) Only female chickens are allowed. Roosters are prohibited. There are no restrictions on chicken species.

(b) Noncommercial use only. It shall be unlawful to engage in chicken breeding or fertilizer production for commercial purposes. It is also unlawful for anyone to raise chickens for slaughter. Any chicken slaughtering shall only be conducted indoors and shall solely be for the purpose of the owner or keeper consuming them as food.

(c) Enclosures.

(1) Chickens shall be kept in an enclosure or fenced area at all times. Uncontained chickens will be in violation of section 14-5. Chickens shall be secured within a henhouse or chicken tractor during non-daylight hours.

(2) Enclosures shall be kept clean, dry, odor-free, neat, and in sanitary condition at all times.

(3) Henhouses, chicken tractors, and chicken pens shall provide adequate ventilation, sun, and shade and must be impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats.

(d) Henhouses and chicken tractors.

(1) Henhouses, chicken pens, and chicken tractors shall be designed to provide safe and healthy living conditions for chickens while minimizing adverse impacts on neighbors.

a. Henhouses, chicken pens, and chicken tractors shall be enclosed on all sides with a roof and doors. Access doors must be able to be shut and locked at night. Windows and vents must be covered with predator- and bird-proof wire with openings no larger than one inch.

b. The materials used for henhouses, chicken pens, and chicken tractors shall be uniform for each element of the structure. Walls must be made of the same material, roofs must have the same shingles or coverings, and windows or openings must be constructed with consistent

materials. The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal, or similar materials is prohibited. Henhouses, chicken and chicken tractors must be well maintained.

(2) Henhouses, chicken pens, and chicken tractors shall be located in the rear yard, behind the dwelling or main structure.

(3) Henhouses, chicken pens, and chicken tractors shall be located at least ten feet from the property line and at least 25 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school, or place of business.

(4) Any enclosed chicken pen must consist of sturdy wire or wooden fencing and be covered with wire, aviary netting, or solid roofing.

(e) Feed and water. Chickens shall have access to feed and clean water at all times. Feed and water must be stored in a way that prevents access by rodents, wild birds, and predators. Uneaten feed shall be removed in a timely manner.

(f) Odor and noise impacts.

(1) Odors from chickens, manure, or other related substances shall not be perceptible at property boundaries.

(2) Noise from chickens shall not be loud enough at property boundaries to disturb persons of reasonable sensitivity.

(g) Waste storage and removal. The chicken owner shall provide for the storage and removal of chicken manure. All stored manure shall be covered by a fully enclosed structure with a roof or lid over the entire structure. No more than three cubic feet of manure shall be stored. All other manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed. The henhouse, chicken tractor, chicken pen and surrounding area shall be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings. Uneaten feed shall be removed in a timely manner.

(h) Dangerous animals; chickens at-large.

(1) No dog or cat which kills a chicken will, for that reason alone, be considered a dangerous or vicious animal.

(2) Chickens shall be kept at all times in a proper chicken house, chicken tractor, or chicken pen. No owner or keeper of any chicken shall permit or suffer such chicken to run at-large outside the chicken house, chicken tractor, or chicken pen, or outside of the premises of the owner or keeper, or to annoy, impair, or disturb the peace, comfort, health, or safety of the residents of the city. (See section 14-5 for existing regulations on fowl at-large.)

(i) Unlawful acts.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep chickens in violation of any provision of this section.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any owner, renter or leaseholder of property to allow chickens to be kept on the property in violation of the provisions of this section.

(j) Penalties and violations. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to enforcement as outlined in section 14-2, with penalties as specified in section 14-3.