[Adopted 8-20-2020 by Ord. No. 1130]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Poultry or fowl of the species Gallus gallus domesticus,
a domesticated fowl. This definition shall not be construed to include
any species of turkey, duck, guinea fowl, goose, or other fowl.
A structure providing for shelter of female chickens which
is completely enclosed and intended for the shelter and protection
of chickens.
Any building that contains only one dwelling unit used or
intended to be occupied for living purposes by one family consistent
with the Township of North Versailles Zoning Ordinance.[1]
A permit is required. No person shall raise, harbor or keep
chickens within the Township of North Versailles without a valid permit
obtained from the Zoning Officer under the provisions of this article.
In order to obtain a permit, an applicant must submit a completed
application on forms provided by the Township Zoning Officer and pay
the required application fee which will be established from time to
time by the Commissioners of the Township of North Versailles by simple
resolution.
A.
All standards and criteria set forth in this article are met;
B.
All fees, as may be established from time to time by resolution of
the Township Commissioners, for the permit are paid in full;
C.
All fees and taxes owed by the applicant and/or property owner to
the Township have been paid in full;
E.
The applicant has provided notice to the residents of all immediately
adjacent dwellings of the applicant's intent to obtain a permit.
If the Zoning Officer concludes as a result of the information
contained in the application that the requirements for a permit have
been met, then the Zoning Office shall issue the permit within 30
days of receipt of a complete application and payment of all fees
due. The permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issue
and must be renewed annually.
A.
Only female chickens (hens) are allowed. Roosters are prohibited
within the Township limits.
B.
The maximum number of chickens allowed is four per single-family
dwelling unit.
C.
Chickens shall be housed in a chicken coop which may have access
to a chicken pen. During non-daylight hours, chickens shall be secured
in the chicken coop.
D.
All chicken coop enclosures must be kept in a clean, dry, odor-free,
neat and sanitary condition at all times.
E.
Chicken coops must provide adequate ventilation and must be impenetrable
to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats.
F.
Chicken coops design and construction.
(1)
Chicken coops shall be designed to provide safe and healthy living
conditions for the chickens with a minimum of four square feet per
bird while minimizing adverse impacts to other residents in the neighborhood.
(2)
A chicken coop shall be enclosed on all sides and shall have a roof
and doors. Access doors must be able to be shut and locked at night.
Opening windows and vents must be covered with predator and bird-proof
wire of less than one inch openings. The materials used in making
a chicken coop shall be uniform for each element of the structure
such that the walls are made of the same material, the roof has the
same shingles or other covering, and any windows or openings are constructed
using the same materials. The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal,
or similar materials is prohibited. Chicken coops shall be well maintained.
(3)
Chicken coops shall only be located to the rear of a dwelling.
(4)
Chicken coops and chicken pens must be located at least 15 feet from
the property line and at least 25 feet from any adjacent building
or residential structure not owned by the applicant.
(5)
The chicken pen shall be covered with mesh wire, aviary netting or
solid roofing.
(6)
Chickens shall have access to feed and clean water at all times,
and such feed and water shall be inaccessible to rodents, wild birds
and predators. Chickens shall be provided adequate bedding in the
coop.
Odors from chickens, chicken manure or other chicken-related
substances shall not be perceptible beyond the boundaries of the permitted
parcel of land. Noise from chickens shall not be loud enough beyond
the boundaries of the permitted tract of land at the property boundaries
to disturb persons of reasonable sensitivity.
All stored manure shall be covered by a fully enclosed structure
with a roof or lid over the entire structure, or garbage cans with
tight-fitting lids. No more than three cubic feet of manure shall
be stored on the permitted parcel of land. All other manure not used
for composting and fertilizing shall be removed from the site or incorporated
into a garden area. The chicken coop, chicken pen and surrounding
area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings. Uneaten
feed shall be removed in a timely manner.
No owner shall allow chickens to roam off the permitted parcel
of land.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep chickens in violation
of any provision of this article.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of rental property, renter or
leaseholder of property to allow chickens to be kept on any property,
except where the owner of the chickens is also the resident and owner
of the property upon which the chickens are kept.
C.
No person shall slaughter any chickens within the Township limits.
D.
No person shall keep a rooster.
E.
No person shall keep chickens on a vacant or uninhabited parcel of
land.
Any violation of the terms of this article that constitutes
a health hazard or that interferes with the use or enjoyment of neighboring
properties is a nuisance and may be abated under the general nuisance
abatement provisions of the Pennsylvania First Class Township Code[1] and all applicable Township nuisance or zoning ordinances,
with fines and penalties consistent therewith.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 55101 et seq.
A.
The chicken permit shall be revoked if the Code Enforcement Officer
or Zoning Officer, in his/her sole discretion, determines that the
individual granted the permit is in violation of this article.
B.
Violation of the provisions of this article shall result in permit
revocation and may result in the initiation of enforcement proceedings
set forth herein, including the assessment of penalties.
C.
Misrepresentation by a permit applicant shall result in the subject
permit being revoked, voided or denied.
D.
If a violation of this article occurs, the Township Manager is authorized
to order immediate removal of all disposable items associated with
the keeping of chickens. Stationary structures associated with the
keeping of chickens may remain, provided the structure is not creating
a nuisance and is not in violation of any provision of the Code of
the Township of North Versailles.
E.
Any individual who has a chicken permit revoked, removed or voided
will not be eligible for consideration for another chicken permit.
F.
If any applicant, permitee or landowner adjacent to a permitted chicken
coop or chicken pen is aggrieved by the determination of the Township
Manager, Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer, such aggrieved
person may appeal the determination to the North Versailles Township
Commissioners. The appeal shall be in writing and must be received
at the Township office no later than 30 days from the date of the
determination of which such person is aggrieved. The written appeal
must describe in detail the reason for the appeal. The Township Commissioners
may make a determination after considering the written appeal or may
notify the aggrieved person of when the matter will be considered
by the Commissioners at a public meeting.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$1,000 and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Every
day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute a
separate offense.
