HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHAPTER 113B CHAPTER 113B. DUCKS
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Updated 2018 113B-1
113B. DUCKS
113B.01. Ducks Limited. Subdivision 1. It is unlawful for any person to keep or
harbor ducks on any premises unless issued a permit to do so as provided in this
chapter. Except as provided in subdivision 2, no permit shall be issued for the keeping
or harboring of more than three hen ducks on any premises.
Subd. 2. A permit may be issued for the keeping or harboring of up to 12 hen
ducks if the applicant is involved in educational or instructional activity, and the need
for the greater number of ducks is directly related to the educational or instructional
activity.
113B.011. Definitions. The term “Duck Coop” means a structure for housing
ducks made of wood or other similar materials that provides shelter from the
elements. The term “Duck Run” means an enclosed outside yard for keeping ducks.
The term “Premises” means any platted lot or group of contiguous lots, parcels or
tracts of land.
113B.02. Permit. No person shall maintain a duck 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 duck coop and
run, and the approximate size and distance from adjoining structures and property
lines. A permit for the keeping of ducks may be revoked or suspended by the council
for any violation of chapter 113B following written notice. A fee of $20.00 will be
charged for each permit which will be valid until December 31 of the following year.
113B.03. Confinement. Every person who owns, controls, keeps maintains or
harbors ducks must keep them confined at all times while in the city in a duck coop
and duck run. Any coop and run shall be screened with a solid 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.
113B.04. Duck Coops. Subdivision 1. All duck coops and runs must be
located at least 25 feet from any dwelling on any other premises. All duck coops must
meet the requirements of the building and zoning codes, must not exceed ten square
feet per duck, and must not exceed six feet in total height. Attached fenced-in duck
runs must not exceed 20 square feet per duck and must not exceed six feet in total
height. Duck runs may be enclosed with wood and/or woven wire materials, and allow
CHAPTER 113B. DUCKS
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Updated 2018 113B-2
ducks to contact the ground. Duck feed and manure must be kept in rodent and
raccoon proof containers and must not be placed in yard compost piles.
113B.05. Conditions. No person who owns, keeps or harbors ducks shall
permit the premises where the ducks 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 duck 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.
113B.06. Violations. Any person who keeps or harbors ducks 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.
(4083, 9/5/12; 4351.3, 8/6/18)