HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHAPTER 113ACHAPTER 113A. CHICKENS
Updated 2014 113A-1
113A. CHICKENS
113A.01. Chickens Limited. Subdivision 1. It is unlawful for any person to keep or
harbor chickens on any premises unless issued a permit to do so as provided in this chapter
or except as specifically allowed under section 62.148. Except as provided in subdivision 2,
no permit shall be issued for the keeping or harboring of more than three hen chickens on any
premises. No permit shall be issued for the keeping of any rooster chicken on any premises.
Subd. 2. A permit may be issued for the keeping or harboring of up to 12 hen chickens
if the applicant is involved in educational or instructional activity, and the need for the greater
number of chickens is directly related to the educational or instructional activity. (4058,
3/19/12)
113A.011. Definitions. The term “Chicken Coop” means a structure for
housing chickens made of wood or other similar materials that provides shelter from the
elements. The term “Chicken Run” means an enclosed outside yard for keeping chickens.
The term “Premises” means any platted lot or group of contiguous lots, parcels or tracts of
land
113A.02. Permit. No person shall maintain a chicken coop and run unless they have
been granted a permit by the common council. The permit shall be subject to all terms and
conditions of this chapter and any additional conditions deemed necessary by the council to
protect the public health, safety and welfare. The necessary permit applications are available
in the City Clerk’s Office. Included with the completed application must be a scaled diagram
that indicates the location of any chicken coop and run, and the approximate size and
distance from adjoining structures and property lines. A permit for the keeping of chickens
may be revoked or suspended by the council for any violation of chapter 113A following
written notice and a public hearing. A fee of $20.00 will be charged for each permit which
shall expire on December 31st of the second year of the permit.
113A.03. Confinement. Every person who owns, controls, keeps maintains or
harbors hen chickens must keep them confined at all times while in the city in a chicken
coop and chicken run. Any coop and run shall be screened with a so lid fence or
landscaped buffer with a minimum height of four feet. Any coop and run shall be at least
25 feet from any residential structure on any other premises .
CHAPTER 113A. CHICKENS
Updated 2014 113A-2
113A.04. Chicken Coops. Subdivision 1. All chicken coops and runs must be located
at least 25 feet from any dwelling on any other premises. All chicken coops must meet the
requirements of the building and zoning codes, must not exceed ten square feet per chicken
and must not exceed six feet in total height. Attached fenced-in chicken runs must not exceed
20 square feet per chicken and must not exceed six feet in total height. Chicken runs may be
enclosed with wood and/or woven wire materials, and allow chickens to contact the ground.
Chicken feed and manure must be kept in rodent and raccoon proof containers and must not
be placed in yard compost piles.
Subd. 2. Chicken coops must either be:
(A). Elevated with a clear open space of at least 24 inches between the ground
surface and framing/floor of the cooper; or
(B) The coop floor, foundation and footings must be constructed using rodent
resistant concrete construction.
113A.05. Conditions. No person who owns, keeps or harbors hen chickens to permit
the premises where the hen chickens are kept to be or remain in an unhealthy, unsanitary or
noxious condition or to permit the premises to be in such condition that noxious odors are
carried to adjacent public or private property. Any chicken coop and run authorized by permit
under this chapter may be inspected at any reasonable time by a city animal control officer or
other agent of the city.
113A.06. Violations. Any person who keeps or harbors chickens in the city limits of
Rochester without obtaining or maintaining a current permit or after a permit has been
suspended or revoked by council action shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
(2805, 4/7/92; 3838, 11/5/07; 4058, 3/19/12)