[Ord. No. 613 §1, 8-17-2015; Ord. No. 703, 12-12-2022]
The maximum number of chickens allowed per tract of land is ten (10) female chickens and one (1) rooster, regardless of how many dwelling units are on said tract. As used herein "tract of land" means all contiguous and adjoining property owned by a common owner(s) or leased by a common tenant(s).
[Ord. No. 613 §2, 8-17-2015]
It shall be unlawful to engage in chicken breeding or fertilizer production for commercial purposes.
[Ord. No. 613 §3, 8-17-2015]
Chickens must be kept in an enclosure or fenced area at all times. Chickens shall be secured within a henhouse or chicken tractor during non-daylight hours. Enclosures must be kept in a clean, dry, odor-free, neat and sanitary condition at all times. Henhouses, chicken tractors and chicken pens must provide adequate ventilation and adequate sun and shade and must be impermeable to rodents, wild birds and predators, including dogs and cats.
[Ord. No. 613 §4, 8-17-2015]
Henhouses and chicken tractors shall be designed to provide safe and healthy living conditions for the chickens while minimizing adverse impacts to other residents in the neighborhood. A henhouse or chicken tractor shall be enclosed on all sides and shall have a roof and doors. Access doors must be able to shut and be 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 henhouse or chicken tractor 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. Henhouses and chicken tractors shall be well maintained. Any enclosed chicken pen shall consist of sturdy wire or wooden fencing. The pen must be covered with wire, aviary netting, or solid roofing.
[Ord. No. 613 §5, 8-17-2015]
Henhouses, chicken tractors and chicken pens shall be located only to the rear of the dwelling or other main structure and may be located only in the rear yard. Henhouses, chicken tractors and chicken pens must be located at least ten (10) feet from the property line and at least twenty-five (25) feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or place of business.
[Ord. No. 613 §6, 8-17-2015]
Odors from chickens, chicken manure or other chicken-related substances shall not be perceptible at the property boundaries. Perceptible noise from chickens shall not be loud enough at the property boundaries to disturb persons of reasonable sensitivity.
[Ord. No. 613 §7, 8-17-2015]
The chicken owner shall take necessary action to reduce the attraction of predators and rodents and the potential infestation of insects and parasites. Chickens found to be infested with insects and parasites that may result in unhealthy conditions to human habitation may be removed by an animal control officer.
[Ord. No. 613 §8, 8-17-2015]
Chickens shall be provided with access to feed and clean water at all times. The feed and water shall be unavailable to rodents, wild birds and predators.
[Ord. No. 613 §9, 8-17-2015]
The chicken owner must 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 (3) 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 must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings. Uneaten feed shall be removed in a timely manner.
[Ord. No. 613 §10, 8-17-2015]
No dog or cat which kills a chicken will, for that reason alone, be considered a dangerous or aggressive animal.
[Ord. No. 613 §11, 8-17-2015]
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep chickens in violation of any provision of this Article. 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 Article.
[Ord. No. 613 §12, 8-17-2015]
Any violation of this Article that constitutes a health hazard or that interferes with the use or enjoyment of neighboring property is a nuisance and may be abated under the general nuisance abatement provisions of Chapter 210 of the Ironton Municipal Code.
[Ord. No. 613 §13, 8-17-2015]
Each day that a violation of this Article continues is a separate offense.
[Ord. No. 613 §14, 8-17-2015]
The owner or owners of the real property upon which the chickens are placed shall be deemed the chicken owner and be responsible for the full and complete compliance with all requirements of this Article. In the event the owner of the property has a son, daughter or other person or family member who is raising the chickens in question, then the owner of said property shall still be deemed the chicken owner and responsible for any violations of this Article. If the property is being rented, then the landlord and adult renters shall be jointly and severally responsible for compliance with this Article.