CHAPTER II. ANIMAL CONTROL AND REGULATIONCHAPTER II. ANIMAL CONTROL AND REGULATION\Article 5. Chickens

(a)   Any person who keeps chickens in the City shall obtain a permit from the City prior to acquiring, and continue to keep chickens.

(b)   The principal use of the person's property must be a single-family use dwelling or duplex family dwelling as defined in chapter 16 of this code.

(c)   The property must be occupied by the person requesting the permit.

(d)   Every owner of chickens shall annually register with the City Clerk his or her name and address.

(e)   The annual permit fee for this Article shall be set in the Resolution establishing the Rate Schedule for the City of Pretty Prairie, Kansas.

(Ord. 332; Ord. 347)

(a)   Renewal applications shall be approved by the City Clerk unless a complaint from a contiguous neighbor has been filed with the City or its representatives . If complaints are received, renewal applications may only be approved by the City Council.

(b)   The City Council may refuse to renew or revoke a permit if, following a public hearing , it finds any of the following:

(1)   The premises are being maintained in violation of any applicable law of the State of Kansas, or of the City.

(2)   The premises are being maintained so as to be a public nuisance.

(3)   The premises are being maintained so as to be detrimental to the health, safety, or peace of mind of persons residing in the immediate vicinity.

It shall be the duty of the City Clerk or designated agent, upon receipt of the registration fee hereinbefore required to keep a record suitable for the registration of chickens, the time of the registration, the name of the owner or keeper, the number of the registration and the amount paid therefore .

(Ord. 332)

(a)   No person or household shall own or harbor more than six chickens per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract.

(b)   Only female chickens are allowed. Roosters are not permitted, as well as: geese, ducks, turkeys, guinea hens, and other similar birds.

(Ord. 332)

(a)   Chickens must be kept in a clean, safe, and healthy environment.

(b)   Chickens must be kept in a coop, run or chicken tractor at all times.

(c)   All coops shall be inspected and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer or Maintenance Supervisor .

(1)   The coop must be built with a minimum of 12 square feet, not to exceed 85 square feet total (minimum two square feet of coop per chicken) and not to exceed 6' in height.

(2)   The coop shall be enclosed on all sides and shall have a roof and doors. Access doors must be able to be shut and locked. Opening windows and vents must be covered with predator- and bird-proof wire of less than one-inch openings.

(3)   The coop, run and chicken tractor shall consist of sturdy wire or wooden fencing.

(4)   The coop, run and chicken tractor shall be designed so as to be easily maintained.

(5)   The coop, run and chicken tractor shall be constructed with durable materials that will hold up to weather and environment.

(6)   Used materials (reclaimed material) for enclosures must be approved by the Code Enforcement Officer or Maintenance Supervisor as referenced in the adopted International Property Maintenance Code. The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal, or similar materials is prohibited.

(d)   Coops, runs and chicken tractors may only be located in the rear yard of the property.

(e)   Coops must be located at least ten feet from the property line and at least 25 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling , church, school or place of business.

(f) Chicken runs and chicken tractors must be located at least ten feet from the property line.

(Ord. 332)

(a)   Odors from chickens, chicken manure or other chicken related substances shall not be perceptible at or beyond the property boundaries.

(b)   Perceptible noise from chickens shall not be loud enough at the property boundaries to disturb persons of reasonable sensibilities.

(Ord. 332)

Chicken waste is the responsibility of the owner; no more than three cubic feet of chicken manure can accumulate. The coop and surrounding area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings.

(Ord. 332)

(a)   Chickens shall be provided with access to feed and clean water at all times.

(b)   All feed and other items associated with the keeping of chickens shall be protected from or to prevent rats, mice, or other rodents from gaining access to or coming into contact with the feed.

(Ord. 332)

The chicken owner shall take necessary action to reduce the attraction of predators and rodents and the potential infestation of insects and parasites.

(Ord. 332)

(a)   Chickens are not to be kept for profit.

(b)   Commercial chicken operations are prohibited.

(Ord. 332)

(a)   No person shall publicly slaughter any chicken.

(b)   It shall be unlawful for any person to keep chickens in violation of any provision of this Article.

(c)   It shall be unlawful for any owner, renter or leaseholder of property to allow chickens to be kept on the property in violation of the provisions of this Article

(d)   Any person found in violation of this Article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $250.00 and up to five (5) days in jail. Each day in violation of this Article shall constitute a new and separate offense.

(Ord. 332; Ord. 347)

(a)   Lack of care, illness issues and abuse complaints will be handled through code enforcement, police and protection ordinances .

(b)   Where chickens are found running at large, the City will seek assistance from a person with expertise in catching chickens

(Ord. 332)

Any violation of this article that constitutes a health hazard or that interferes with the use or enjoyment of neighboring property is a nuisance and may result in permit being revoked with removal of chickens.

(Ord. 332)