New Franklin Fowl Regulations ordinance (§ 405.300)

1. The possession of fowl within city limits on residential property is hereby limited to a maximum number of thirty (30) individual fowl, of any age, on any one property or lot at a time. For purposes of this Ordinance, "fowl" is defined as domestic chickens, ducks, geese, quail, guinea fowl and turkeys.

2. Property owners possessing fowl must provide sufficient food, water, and space for the birds.

3. All fowl must be female, as possession of a male bird is prohibited within city limits.

4. Property owners must control offensive odors and excessive noise associated with their fowl.

5. All fowl must be housed inside of a coop or other appropriate shelter that can maintain a secure and safe environment for the birds. So called "free range" fowl are not permitted.

6. All fowl coops shall be located on residential property in accordance with the following regulations and demonstrative diagram:

a. Unless otherwise exempted by the provisions of this section, all fowl coops shall be located on ground behind the residential structure in an area commonly referred to as the "backyard" such that the coop is not readily visible from the street when looking at the front of the residential structure from the street while square to the front of the house.

b. Coops must be entirely behind the residential structure, such that no part of the coop is located beyond the imaginary line extending perpendicular from the front yard street to the back yard at the longitudinal border of the residential structure's footprint. Stated differently, no part of the coop may extend out past the residential structure as viewed from street while square to the front of the house.

C. For residential property with streets on more than one side of the property, commonly referred to as "corner lots," the area of the property between the street and the residential buildings primary, front door shall be been the "front yard,: such that a fowl coop must be located on ground on the opposite side of the house with a front door in the area commonly referred to as the "backyard." Coops shall not be placed in side yards, even in "corner lots." Coops that would otherwise violate these provisions may nevertheless be placed in unauthorized locations upon the granting of a variance by the City, however, such variance with require that the coop be no more than five (5) feet tall and be surrounded by a six (6) foot tall privacy fence.

e. There provisions are reflected in the following diagram and key to locations:

Key to Locations A: A coop cannot be placed here in the front yard unless a variance is granted, and a privacy fence erected because it is not behind the residential structural.

B: A coop cannot be placed here in the side yard unless a variance is granted, and a privacy fence erected because it is not behind the residential structural.

C: A coop can be placed here without the need for a variance because it is entirely behind the residential structure.

D: A coop cannot be placed partially in the backyard and partially in the side yard unless a variance is granted, and a privacy fence erected because the coop is not entirely behind the residential structure.