CHAPTER 7: RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
7.02(B) Permitted Uses.
(6) Keeping Chickens, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Definitions. Whenever the following words or phrases are used, they shall, for the purposes
of this chapter, have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except when the context
otherwise indicates:
Chicken. The common name of the species Gallus gallus domesticus, a type of
domesticated fowl.
Chicken Tractor. A non-fixed, mobile screened enclosure for the purposes of allowing
chickens to easily be moved around while remaining in an enclosed, predator safe
environment.
Coop. A structure housing hens consisting of a covered inside enclosure. see Hen
Hen. Female chicken. see Chicken
Pen. A covered outside fenced structure connected to a coop for the purposes of allowing
chickens to leave the coop while remaining in an enclosed, predator safe environment. see
Coop
Rooster. Male chicken. see Chicken
(b) Limit to the Number of Hens Permitted. No person shall keep more than five (5) hens.
Roosters shall be prohibited.
(c) Confinement. All hens kept in the city shall always be entirely confined in a pen, coop or
other enclosure such as a fully fenced yard. During daylight hours hens may be temporarily kept in
a chicken tractor, as defined by this chapter. Such chicken tractors shall be located only in a rear
yard in accordance with the structures-location restrictions provided in this chapter. No chicken
shall be kept inside a residence, with the exception of baby chicks less than eight (8) weeks old
which may be kept indoors until it is fully feathered.
(d) Structures. Structures housing hens shall consist of a covered inside enclosure known as a
coop, an adjacent covered outside fenced area known as a pen. A license for the keeping of
chickens and a building permit for a structure for the keeping of chickens shall not be granted
unless the applicant can show proof at the time of application that the proposed structure complies
with all provisions of this chapter.
(1) Location Restrictions. Structures housing hens including any pens, coops, or chicken
tractors, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted only in conjunction with a
single-family detached dwelling located in the R-1 Single-Family Residential Zoning District.
Said structures shall be located only in a rear yard, erected or maintained at least
twenty-five feet (25') from any occupied residential structure other than that of the owner,
set back at least five feet (5') from all property lines.
(2) Requirements. Structures housing hens shall provide not less than ten (10) square
feet per hen with coop size limited to not more than fifty (50) square feet and pen
enclosures limited to not more than one hundred (100) square feet. Coops shall be
constructed to specifications as approved by the Planning Director and must be placed
either above ground or on a hard surface such as concrete, patio block or gravel and able to
withstand natural forces such as wind, rain and snow. Wooden or precast concrete posts
shall be acceptable foundations if they are placed at least twenty-four inches (24") into the
ground and firmly tamped with dirt or gravel. Wooden or precast concrete posts may also
