Chapter 7.42
CHICKEN HENS
Sections:
7.42.010 Keeping of chicken hens.
7.42.010 Keeping of chicken hens.
(1) The keeping of chicken hens, if permitted under the terms of any private covenants, conditions or restrictions applicable to the subject property, shall be permitted on properties used for single-family and duplex residential purposes under the following conditions:
(a) Keeping of roosters shall be prohibited.
(b) Chicken hens may be kept, as provided in this section, by the owner or tenant of any single-family or duplex residence; provided, that the hens are kept on the same parcel where the owner of the hens resides or on a contiguous parcel under the same ownership.
(c) One chicken hen is allowed for each 1,500 square feet of lot area to a maximum of six hens.
(d) Chicken hens shall be contained at all times within a fence, pen or coop which is constructed to prevent dogs, coyotes, cats, raccoons, rats, eagles and other predators and pests from accessing the hens.
(e) For each chicken hen, a fenced open yard area of at least 20 square feet and a fully enclosed shelter of at least four square feet shall be provided.
(f) Fenced open yard area and enclosed shelters shall be a minimum of 20 feet from any habitable residential building on an adjacent property.
(g) Chicken hens shall be treated humanely, and shall be provided adequate food, water and shelter.
(h) Chicken hen enclosures and fenced open-yard areas shall be kept in a good working and sanitary condition, shall not cause odor or noise nuisances, and shall not be deemed to be unsightly from any public right-of-way, as determined by the animal control officer.
(i) Coops and hen enclosures shall not be located in the front yard of a lot nor in a side yard which abuts a street.
(j) Two or more people may cooperatively own and care for chicken hens by means of a portable coop that may be moved from one property to another; provided, that all requirements of this code are met on each of the properties to which the coop is moved. (Ord. 1710 § 10, 2015; Ord. 1652 § 2, 2013).
7.42.020 Penalties.
(1) The failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a Class 1 infraction as defined in Chapter 1.28 OHMC. Each day of violation shall be a separate offense. This is an absolute liability offense. No mental element as defined in law is required for proof of violation.
(2) The knowing or intentional failure or refusal to comply with an abatement order of a nuisance is a misdemeanor which shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of not more than 90 days, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than $1,000, or by both such jail sentence and fine. (Ord. 1710 § 10, 2015; Ord. 1652 § 3, 2013).