Town of Kingston, NY Article IV Domestic Farm Animals and Fowl

[Adopted 4-4-2016 by L.L. No. 1-2016[1]]

[1] Editor's Note: This local law was originally adopted as Ch. 116 but was redesignated to maintain the organizational structure of the Code.

§ 115-21 Purpose.

The purpose of this article shall be to preserve the public peace and good order in the Town of Kingston and to contribute to the public welfare and good order of its people by enforcing certain regulations and restrictions of livestock and fowl.

§ 115-22 Definitions.

As used and intended in the article and for the purpose hereof, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated.

DOMESTIC FARM ANIMALS

Any animal that depends on humans for food, water, and shelter, such as cattle, horses and other equines, sheep, chickens, goats, llamas/alpacas, swine, etc.

FOWL

Any of various domestic birds used as food; specifically, the chicken, duck, goose, turkey, etc.

§ 115-23 Domestic farm animals.

A. Domestic farm animals shall be enclosed with fencing other than electric. Said fencing is permitted up to six feet in height.

B. Where permitted, the aggregate number of horses, cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats and other four-legged domestic farm animals shall not exceed four per acre of land.

§ 115-24 Fowl.

A. Fowl shall be enclosed with chain-link, open-mesh fences or caging. Said fence (chain-link or mesh) or cage shall not exceed eight feet in height and must contain an area of at least four square feet for each fowl. The fence (chain-link or mesh) or cage shall be at least 25 feet from any property line.

B. Where permitted, the aggregate number of fowl shall not exceed 30 per acre of land.

§ 115-25 Humane treatment.

All domestic farm animals and fowl shall be adequately housed, fenced and not permitted to leave owners' real property unattended and otherwise maintained in a sanitary and safe manner. The domestic farm animals and fowl shall be kept so that they do not create a nuisance or health or safety hazard to nearby property, property owners, inhabitants of the neighborhood or the domestic farm animals and fowl themselves.

§ 115-26 Sanitary conditions.

All storage facilities for domestic farm animal or fowl waste material or any other substances that could create a public health or safety issue, including feed and/or medical supplies, shall be adequately enclosed and at least 25 feet from adjacent lot lines, streams or other bodies of water, wells or any source of potable water, nor within 50 feet of neighboring residential structures.

§ 115-27 Special use permit.

Domestic farm animals or fowl in greater numbers than those permitted in the article may be permitted by a special use permit under Chapter 425, Article V.

§ 115-28 Penalties for offense; enforcement.

A. Any violation of this article constitutes an offense. The following fines and penalties are hereby imposed, or additions to the punishment imposed by a general statute, on every person who owns or is responsible for any domestic farm animal or fowl which violates any of the provisions of this article.

B. For the first offense, a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $250; for a second offense and subsequent violations, a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 30 days, or both a fine and incarceration.

C. The Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Kingston, Animal Control Officer and all police or peace officers of the Town, county or state shall enforce all provisions of this article.