A pilot program for the keeping of backyard chicken hens is hereby authorized. Keeping of backyard chicken hens shall be permitted in the Borough of Runnemede subject to the rules and regulations as specified in this article. The pilot program shall commence on October 1, 2022 and terminate on December 31, 2023 at 12:01 a.m., unless the Borough of Runnemede acts to continue same prior to that date. In the event the Borough of Runnemede does not act to continue the program prior to said termination date, all persons with backyard chicken hens shall be allowed to retain those permitted chicken hens on the property as of December 31, 2023 in accordance with the requirements of this article until such hens have expired or been removed by the owner. No such hens may be replaced.
A. 
The following shall be eligible to participate in the pilot program: residents of single family homes or residents of "twin" homes or "row" homes which meet the criteria set forth in this section.
B. 
For purposes of this pilot program, no more than 20 licenses may be issued at any one time. Any additional households wanting to participate may be considered on an individual basis by the Chicken Advisory Board established pursuant to this chapter in conjunction with the liaison to the Governing Body.
C. 
There shall be a limit of two chickens permitted per 1,000 square feet of lot capped at a maximum of nine chickens; no roosters permitted.
D. 
The coop and enclosed run shall be kept at least 15 feet from the habitable portion of the neighboring residential dwelling. The minimum five-foot side and rear yard setback shall be maintained as a buffer with maintained lawn or landscape vegetation. Runoff waste on adjacent properties shall not be permitted. Garages, attached or otherwise, and accessory buildings shall not be considered a "residential dwelling" for purposes of calculating the required distance. Chickens may roam outside of the coop area in the back yard suitably fenced to keep them contained provided that a resident age 18 or older is present the entire time.
E. 
The keeping of chickens shall be limited to the rear yard as defined by this chapter.
A. 
No person shall keep chickens on their property without first obtaining a license from the Municipal Clerk's office and paying the required fee therefor. No license shall be issued unless the applicant therefore has demonstrated compliance with all criteria set forth in this article. No license shall be issued prior to any applicant meeting with the Chicken Advisory Board to determine if the applicant is able to meet all criteria. Every license issued pursuant to this article shall expire annually on March 1 after the pilot begins. Any applicant who currently has backyard chicken hens within the Borough of Runnemede, shall have priority over any one else for the purpose of applying for a license. The Chicken Advisory Board may grant a waiver of lot size and/or maximum permitted chickens to those persons maintaining chickens at the time of the passage of the within chapter to allow such person(s) to come into compliance with this chapter through the natural expiration of their chickens, provided such waiver does not negatively affect the health, safety and welfare of any resident or person and application for such waiver is made within 30 days of the passage of this chapter.
B. 
A license fee of $10 shall be paid for each license issued pursuant to this article.
C. 
Each applicant wishing to participate in the pilot program or desiring to keep backyard chickens thereafter in the event the pilot program is not terminated, shall be required to take a class on the basics of raising backyard chickens. Proof of attendance must be presented with the completed application. The Borough will provide a class minimally once a year at a nominal fee for anyone who has not previously met this requirement. The handling of this class will be the responsibility of the Chicken Advisory Board. A member of the Chicken Advisory Board will review the application with the applicant prior to final submission.
D. 
Tenants of property submitting an application must have the consent of the landlord.
The following regulations and conditions for the keeping and housing of chickens shall be complied with:
A. 
The coop shall be the appropriate size for the number of chickens and shall consist of a minimum of three square feet per chicken.
B. 
The coop shall be dry and well ventilated with windows to admit sunlight and shall not be heated.
C. 
The housing of chickens must be the primary purpose of the structure.
D. 
The coop must be kept clean and the utilization of a tarp as a portion of the roof is not permitted.
E. 
Clean water must be provided, and food must be kept in a tightly sealed rodent- and predator-proof container.
F. 
The yard in the area where the coop is located shall be clean, free from odors and dust abatement techniques must be utilized.
G. 
There shall be no slaughter of chickens in the Borough of Runnemede.
H. 
Waste shall be handled properly to prevent offensive odors or disposed in an environmentally friendly manner.
I. 
The coop must meet all of the size limitations of an accessory building as may be otherwise provided for in the Code of the Borough of Runnemede.
A. 
A Chicken Advisory Board consisting of at least five members of the community shall be formed. The Mayor shall appoint all members and designate the Chair, all of whom shall serve for a one-year term. The members shall elect a Vice Chair and Board Secretary from the remaining members who shall also serve for a one-year term. All terms are on a calendar year basis. The Board shall meet on regular basis and keep minutes which shall be submitted along with quarterly reports to the Governing Body via a Borough Council selected liaison to the Chicken Advisory Board. These reports will include any activities of the Board, we well as any complaints from residents concerning backyard chicken hens and the resolution, if any, of those complaints.
B. 
When a complaint is received by the Borough of Runnemede, it will be forwarded to the Board for investigation by two members of the Board. If the Board finds a violation of this article, a notice of violation will be issued by the Borough Code Enforcement Officer. If after 30 days, the violation has not been remedied, the Borough Code Enforcement Office shall be notified, so that enforcement proceedings may be implemented. The Chicken Advisory Board will assist anyone desiring to no longer participate in the backyard chicken program to relocate their chickens.