WS - D - Area Chicken Ordinances

North Liberty 55.23 LIVESTOCK. It is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the City, except in compliance with the City’s zoning regulations. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the keeping of domestic chickens (members of the subspecies of Gallus gallus domesticus) shall be permitted on single-family residences and zero-lot line duplexes (where each unit owner owns a separate and distinct portion of the lot), so long as such keeping is in strict compliance with this subsection and all other applicable City ordinances unless, despite compliance with the following, the presence of any particular chickens endangers the health, safety, peace, quiet, comfort, enjoyment of, or otherwise becomes a public nuisance to nearby residents or occupants or places of business. A. No person shall keep chickens inside a single-family dwelling unit, multi-family dwelling units or rental units. B. A tenant must obtain the landlord's written permission to keep chickens, which shall be submitted as part of the application for a permit. C. Chickens must be confined in a coop or fowl house not less than 18 inches in height or, in the alternative, within a fenced pen area. Chickens must be kept within the coop, the fowl house, or the fenced pen area at all times unless removed for a temporary time for cleaning or for the safety of the chicken. Chickens must be housed in the coop from dusk until dawn. D. The coop, the fowl house, or the fenced pen area shall be located in the rear yard (as defined in Section 167.01) only, must be of such a design to be reasonably expected to prevent entry by dogs, cats, or other animals, shall be completely enclosed (except fenced pen area), shall be well maintained, and shall be well drained so there is no accumulation of moisture. E. The materials used in making a coop or fowl house (stationary or mobile) shall be uniform for each element of the structure such that the walls are made of the same material, the roof has the same shingles or other covering, and any windows or openings are constructed using the same materials. The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal, or similar materials is prohibited. Fencing materials must meet all requirements set forth in the zoning regulations; however, except as set forth herein, coops and fowl houses are not subject to building code requirements. F. The coop, the fowl house, or the fenced pen area shall have a minimum of four (4) square feet of floor area for each chicken but shall not be any larger than twelve (12) square feet of area for each chicken. The coop, fowl house, or fenced pen area shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from any property line, shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height, and shall fully comply with all applicable zoning regulations. G. Any coop, fowl house, or fenced pen area shall be kept clean, sanitary and free from accumulation of chicken excrement and objectionable odors. All droppings and body excretions shall be either placed in fly-proof containers and double-bagged in plastic bags or, in the alternative, used as fertilizer on the same property or, with the owner’s permission, on other property within the City, so long as the droppings and body excretions are spread and incorporated into the soil within twenty-four (24) hours.