Chapter 8.15
CHICKENS Revised 3/26
Sections:
8.15.010 Chicken management. Revised 3/26
8.15.020 Chicken license required. Revised 3/26
8.15.030 Definitions. Revised 3/26
8.15.040 Enforcement authority. Revised 3/26
8.15.050 Penalty. Revised 3/26
8.15.060 Nonexclusive remedy. Revised 3/26
8.15.010 Chicken management. Revised 3/26
Chickens may be kept within the City limits of Quincy, provided:
A. No more than four chicken hens, including pullets or chicks, may be kept per single-family dwelling lot pursuant to subsection (N) of this section. In no event shall the four allowed hens, including pullets or chicks, count toward the accumulative total of household pets.
B. No roosters are allowed.
C. Chickens, except for pullets or chicks, shall not be kept inside any permitted dwelling.
D. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors must be set back at least ten feet from all property lines.
E. Hen house, coop or tractor must not be located within ten feet of any neighboring residence.
F. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall be kept at least five feet from any other structure including decks.
G. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall provide for adequate shelter, be kept clean and maintained so that dust, manure and odors are not detectable beyond any property line. When a conflict arises as to the proper care and housing of chickens the standards set forth as found in the Edition 2014 of Humane Farm Animal Care’s (HFAC) Certified Humane Welfare Standards for chickens shall apply.
H. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors including chicken runs shall not exceed one hundred twenty square feet in size and shall not exceed eight feet in height at the structure’s highest point.
I. Hen houses and coops shall provide at least four square feet of space per chicken.
J. Chicken tractors shall provide at least four square feet of space per chicken.
K. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall be restricted to the backyard area of a single-family dwelling lot.
L. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall be set back one hundred feet from any public or private well.
M. Chickens shall not be allowed to run at large and shall be enclosed within a hen house, coop or chicken tractor.
N. Chickens shall be allowed only on single-family dwelling lots containing a maximum of one dwelling.
O. Chicken manure shall be managed so as not to create a nuisance or be in violation of Chapter 9.10. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as stated in Section 9.10.090.
P. Chickens shall not be slaughtered outside of a dwelling unit.
Q. All chicken feed or food set aside for chickens shall be stored in a rodent proof container or feeder.
R. All structures used to house or care for chickens, including hen houses, coops and chicken tractors, shall be maintained in a manner to ensure that rodents are not present.
S. Any rodent activity in the vicinity of any chicken structure or enclosure shall require the licensed owner of the chickens to eradicate the rodents in compliance with the QMC.
T. Chickens shall only be permitted on single-family dwelling lots that have been inspected as provided for in Section 8.15.020.
U. Chickens shall only be permitted at the location that is stated on the annual license as provided for in Section 8.15.020(A)(5).
V. Chicken sounds shall be managed so as not to create a nuisance or be in violation of Chapter 9.11. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as stated in Section 9.11.090. (Ord 26-646 §2 (Ex A))
8.15.020 Chicken license required. Revised 3/26
A. Annual License. A single license to keep up to four chickens per single-family dwelling lot shall be obtained annually by the owner of the chickens. The annual license shall be obtained prior to the introduction of chickens on any single-family dwelling lot. The annual license is not transferrable to another person. The annual license shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
1. Date of issuance and date of expiration.
2. A license number.
3. The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the chicken(s).
4. The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the single-family dwelling lot.
5. The address of the single-family dwelling lot where the chicken(s) will be located.
B. License Expiration. A chicken license shall expire one year from the date of issuance.
C. License Fees and Exemptions. The annual license fee and the fee for amending the annual license shall be as established in the City’s rate resolution. The following are exempt from license fees:
1. Chickens in the temporary custody of a veterinarian or animal welfare organization whose owners are unknown.
2. Chickens owned and available for retail sale by the owner or operator of a licensed business.
D. Required Inspection. The annual license shall not be granted or renewed until after a City official has performed an inspection of the proposed single-family dwelling lot where the chickens will be located to insure that the location is in compliance with this chapter.
E. Relocation. If the owner of the chicken(s) intends to relocate the chicken(s) from the location stated on the license, then the owner shall apply to amend their annual license to reflect the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the single-family dwelling lot of the new location and the address of the new location. Before the amended license shall issue, the inspection of the new location shall occur as provided for in subsection (D) of this section.
F. New Ownership. If the owner of the chicken(s) sells, conveys, or transfers to another person any of the chickens, then the new owner shall apply to amend the annual license to reflect the new owner’s information. If the chickens are to be relocated by the new owner, then the new owner must also comply with subsection (E) of this section. (Ord 26-646 §2 (Ex A))
8.15.030 Definitions. Revised 3/26
The definitions stated in Section 17.01.030 shall apply to this chapter. (Ord 26-646 §2 (Ex A))
8.15.040 Enforcement authority. Revised 3/26
This chapter shall be enforced by the Animal Control Officer, any police officer or other City employee authorized by the Mayor or the Quincy Municipal Code. (Ord 26-646 §2 (Ex A))
8.15.050 Penalty. Revised 3/26
Each day a violation of this chapter has occurred shall be deemed a separate violation. Unless otherwise stated, a violation of any provision of this chapter shall subject the violator to the following penalties as they are defined in Section 1.01.118:
A. First Offense. The first offense within a twelve-month period is punishable as a category C-7 civil penalty.
B. Second or Subsequent Offense. The second and each subsequent offense within a twelve-month period is punishable as a category C-5 civil penalty. (Ord 26-646 §2 (Ex A))
8.15.060 Nonexclusive remedy. Revised 3/26
The remedies set forth in this chapter are not exclusive and the city may use whatever manner, method or means is available to it, at law or in equity, to enforce its code and address any violation of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a civil regulatory order as authorized in Section 17.15.030. (Ord 26-646 §2 (Ex A))