Dimensional standards
Uses
Extracted standards
24 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Other
- Biosecurity measures required
Biosecurity measures as to the pen, coop and chickens and the property shall be maintained at all times, in addition to compliance with all of the provisions and requirements of the SCC and Virginia Code and regulation directives regarding care, shelter, sanitation, health, disease, insect and rodent control and as to cruelty, neglect, noise, reasonable control and other such requirements pertaining to, but not limited to, the adequate care and control of animals in the city.
- Chickens must be kept in pen or coop at all times
Chickens shall not be allowed to roam free and they shall be kept in a pen or coop at all times.
- Compliance period for existing uses60 days
a person whose use of property involves chickens being kept at the time of enactment of the provisions of this chapter shall have a period of 60 days from such date of enactment to comply with the requirements of this chapter.
- Coops and pens must be in rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. only
All coops and pens shall be located in the rear yard only.
- Rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. for coops and pens10 ft
All coops and pens shall be deemed accessory structures and shall comply with the rear yard setback requirement of being not less than 10 feet from the property line at all times.
- Sale of eggs on/from property prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
The sale of chicken eggs on or from the property is prohibited. Off-site sale of chicken eggs shall only be by a home occupation permit issued by the city as provided in Chapter 18.150 SCC.
- Feed container requirements
All feed or other material intended for consumption by a chicken shall be placed and maintained in containers impenetrable by mice, rats, rodents, or other animals, and such container shall be equipped and maintained at all times with tightly fitting caps or lids.
- ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. disposal areas
Storage or disposal of litter, waste, and chickens on public land or in or near a sewage or stormwater collection system, facility or stream or pond, water detention facility, or water garden of any kind is strictly prohibited.
- Litter disposal requirements
If any chicken litter or waste is disposed of by use of the city refuse system, it must be double plastic-bagged, with at least 1.5 mil rating, and securely closed and deposited in a city approved receptacle. In addition, any chicken(s) being disposed of shall also be so bagged and securely closed and deposited in a city approved receptacle.
- Maximum number of chickens per property6 count
No more than six chickens shall be allowed per property, regardless of the number of dwellings or the ownership interests or use arrangements, with or without consent.
- No offensive odors at property boundaries
Offensive odors from chickens, manure, or other chicken-related substances shall not be detectable at any time at the property boundaries.
- Outdoor slaughtering/processing prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
There shall be no slaughtering or processing of chicken outdoors.
- Permit application requirements
The application, which the zoning administrator is authorized to promulgate, must, at a minimum, identify the property by address and parcel ID; include a sketch showing the area where the chickens will be housed and all types and sizes of enclosures in which the chickens will be kept; and show all property dimensions and setbacks.
- One-time permit fee
The one-time fee for application for a permit to keep chickens shall be as provided under SCC 18.220.020 (zoning permit fee).
- New permit required after 2-year discontinuation2 years
If the use is discontinued by the applicant for a period of more than two years, a new permit process, as provided in SCC 18.153.040, and a new permit fee will be required.
- Owner consent required for permit
The permit applicant must be the owner of the property or must have and submit written consent of the owner of the property as part of the permit application to keep chickens on the property.
- Ban on reapplication after revocation5 years
Any person(s) so having a permit revoked shall not be allowed, at any time, to make application for another permit for five years.
- Permit required
It shall be unlawful for any persons to keep one or more chickens on property unless the person has been issued a permit for such by the zoning administrator.
- Permit revocation conditions
If the permit holder is convicted of any city or state code violation associated with the keeping of chickens, the permit shall be revoked. In the event of the zoning administrator receiving and verifying three substantial and credible complaints of violation of any provision of this chapter and after notice given of such to the permit holder, the permit shall be revoked.
- Permit revocation upon owner withdrawal
Upon written notice of the property owner's withdrawal or cancellation or termination of such approval, the permit shall be revoked by the zoning administrator.
- Time to remove chickens after revocation30 days
Upon revocation of the permit, chickens must be removed within 30 days or be subject to removal.
- Permit suspension during avian flu threat
Upon a finding by the zoning administrator that there is warning or equivalent notice or advisory or guidance issued by federal or state authorities regarding a present or forecasted substantial threat of the potential transmission or spread of avian influenza or other poultry disease, no further permits shall be issued until such time that, by similar notice or advisory or guidance, the threat has been recognized by federal or state authorities as having been eliminated.
Roosters are prohibited.
- Sanitary conditions required
All coops and pens must be kept in a sanitary condition at all times, and must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent offensive odors.
From the ordinance
No more than six chickens shall be allowed per property... Roosters are prohibited. Chickens shall not be allowed to roam free and they shall be kept in a pen or coop at all times. All coops and pens shall be deemed accessory structures and shall comply with the rear yard setback requirement of being not less than 10 feet from the property line at all times. All coops and pens shall be located in the rear yard only.