We need your chicken ordinances!

City of Royal Oak Michigan allows chickens:

Must not be allowed to roam "free range" unconfined. Pens/coops must be clean.
No excessive noise.
No limits on hens or roosters.

http://www.e-codes.generalcode.com/codebook_frameset.asp?ep=fs&t=ws&cb=2...

ARTICLE I Chickens and Fowl at Large [Adopted 1-27-1919 by Ord. No. 84]
§ 195-1. Running at large prohibited. [Amended 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-01]

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to permit any chickens or other fowls owned by them or in their possession or under their control to run at large within the corporate limits of the City of Royal Oak.

§ 195-2. Violations and penalties.

Any person violating the provisions of this article shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $25, or, in default of the payment of such fine, the offender shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than 60 days unless such fine is sooner paid.

http://www.e-codes.generalcode.com/codebook_frameset.asp?ep=fs&t=ws&cb=2...

§ 484-13. Keeping of pets.

No person shall harbor or keep any animal, bird, bee, or pet, which causes annoyance in the neighborhood either by: A. Barking, howling, braying, crowing, or making other sounds common to its species.
B. Failure of the owner, caretaker, or custodian to maintain in a clean and sanitary condition devoid of rodents and vermin and free from objectionable odor, all structures, pens, coops, or yards wherein any animal, fowl or bee is kept.
C. Failure of the owner, caretaker, or custodian to keep the said animal confined on his own premises.
D. In the case of bees, stinging or molesting any person.

§ 484-14. Keeping of livestock; removal of animals. A. No person shall keep any livestock, or any other animals, in the City in such a manner as to become a public nuisance. No person shall keep any horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs or similar animals in the City without first obtaining a permit therefor. Application for such permit shall be made to the City Clerk upon blanks furnished for the purpose. Such application shall state the location where such livestock or other animal is to be kept and describe the conditions under which the same shall be kept. Such permit shall be granted by the City Commission only after investigation and recommendation by the Chief Inspector. No permit shall be issued for the keeping of any such livestock or animal except where it appears that the keeping of such livestock or animals is not likely to create a public nuisance. If at any time it appears that the keeping of any such livestock or animals creates a public nuisance, the City Manager, Health Officer or Chief Inspector may, whether or not a permit has been issued, order the owner or keeper to abate the nuisance or remove such livestock or animals from the City, and if he fails to do so within seven days after he has been served with said notice, the City Manager, Health Officer or Chief Inspector may summarily remove said animals and abate said nuisance.
B. The owner or keeper of any stable where horses or any kind of livestock are kept, or of any chicken house, rabbit hutch, or any other building used for the housing of animals shall keep such stable, hutch, or building in a clean and sanitary condition at all times and shall as often as is necessary remove the accumulations of manure or other excreta in order to prevent the same from becoming a public nuisance in the neighborhood. No stable shall be maintained without concrete floor draining to a sump of a style and character approved by the Building Department with a drain connection to the sewer. Said concrete floors shall be completely flushed and washed at least once each day. Every stable shall have a complete set of screens on all openings for ventilation, or ingress or egress, so that insects may be excluded therefrom. Such screens shall be kept closed at all times except when opened for purposes of ingress or egress.

For Marysville, WA: The short version is they can't be loud, they must be confined & the coop must be 100 feet from your neighbors house.

http://ci.marysville.wa.us/ Go to "Marysville Municipal Code" then Chapter 10 "Animals."

10.04.310 Restraint and enclosure. All persons owning or having control or possession of any rabbits, goats, swine, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, horses, cattle, pigeons, pheasants, peacocks, or fowl within the city shall keep the same restrained and enclosed at all times on the premises owned and occupied by such persons. (Ord. 2404 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2013 § 31, 1995).

10.04.340 Location of building – Enclosures must be clean. (1) Any building inhabited by livestock or fowl shall be located at a minimum distance of 100 feet of any adjoining residence. (2) All houses, pens or enclosures where chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons or other domestic fowl or rabbits are kept shall be kept clean and free from disagreeable odors. No organic materials furnishing food for flies shall be allowed to accumulate on the premises. All manure and other refuse must be kept in tightly covered fly-proof receptacles and disposed of at least once each week in a manner approved by the animal control officer. (Ord. 2404 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2013 § 34, 1995).

City of Wichita Falls, Texas

Chapter 14 Article VII Sec. 14-418. Keeping of fowl. (a) Generally. No person shall: (1) Harbor any fowl with less than 12 square feet of floor or ground area for each. Permitted pet shops shall be exempt from this subsection. (2) Keep any fowl within any structure in the city without thoroughly cleaning the area at least once each day and so maintaining such structure that no offensive odors are emitted therefrom. (3) Keep any fowl within any structure, the interior of which is not treated with an approved disinfectant at least once every six months to discourage insects, fleas, ticks, mites, mosquitoes and flies. (4) Place the coop, pen, housing or enclosure nearer than 75 feet to any residence excluding the residence of the harborer of the fowl. The distance may be reduced to not less than 50 feet if written permission is received from the resident who is closer than 75 feet. Permitted pet shops shall be exempt from this subsection. (5) Keep any fowl in violation of any other section of this chapter.  Sec. 14-423. Disposition of litter and droppings. Every harborer of animals, livestock or fowl shall cause the litter and droppings there from to be disposed of daily in a sanitary manner, such that the creation of odors and the breeding of flies, rodents and other vermin is minimized. The method employed must meet with the approval of the local rabies control authority. (Ord. No. 61-2004, § 1, 8-2-2004)  Sec. 14-424. Storage of feed. All feed provided for animals, livestock or fowl shall be kept in a ratproof, flyproof container. (Ord. No. 61-2004, § 1, 8-2-2004)

Springfield, MOSec. 18-23. Fowl running at large.No person owning any chickens, guineas, geese, ducks, turkeys or other domestic fowl shall allow or permit the fowl to run at large, except on premises owned or controlled by such person.(Code 1981, § 5-17)Sec. 18-24. Keeping of fowl.(a) No person shall keep chickens or other domestic fowl in any pen having an area of less than 144 square feet or the exterior boundary of which is less than 50 feet at the nearest point from the dwelling of another, a church, a school or a place of business of another. If more than 12 chickens or other fowl are kept in a pen, the pen shall have an area equal to 12 square feet for each chicken or other fowl kept in such pen.(b) No person shall keep 25 or more chickens, chicks or other domestic fowl in a battery located in a building or structure unless the battery is located more than 50 feet at the nearest point from any dwelling of another, church, school or place of business of another. Not more than 24 chickens, chicks or other domestic fowl may be kept in a battery located inside a building or structure if the battery is more than 25 feet from the dwelling of another, a church, a school or a place of business of another. This subsection shall not apply to any lawfully operated hatchery.(c) All batteries shall be constructed in such manner as to prevent droppings from falling on the ground or floor.(Code 1981, § 5-18)

Does this mean that we are allowed to have a rooster?

In the UK there are no ordinances as such, but there are numerous nationwide laws regarding animal keeping. Noise abatement laws, which would cover excessive noise from Cockerals. Normal animal welfare laws regarding the upkeep and welfare of any animal. Public health laws which would cover smells, flies etc. If you have a flock of over 50 (not that many of us would !)a government licence is required from the Department of Food and Agriculture ( a central government body)also the purchase of poultry has to be registered by the person who sells it to you with the same Ministry. Noise abatement and public health laws are enforced by the local council, animal welfare by the police, and licensing by central government, so as you can see things are entirely different in the UK. Kind regards to all. Mick

My question is, is there any ZONING restrictions to go along with the ordinances?

I live next door in Ferndale, and when looking for what is allowed,
Ferndale stated also that no noise violations will be allowed, and no free-ranging.

We obtained 4 hens and today the animal control officer came and told us that the ZONING ordinance states chicken coops cannot be within 150 feet of any other building. Our entire lot is 40 x 120. Although city ordinance says it's OK, the zoning ordinance says 'no go.!

I wish we lived in Ann Arbor, MI.
On wwj-news radio 95 there is an article:

http://www.wwj.com/pages/2752762.php?

Which says:
"Ann Arbor Allows Backyard Chickens

Ann Arbor (WWJ) -- For the nominal fee of $20 you now can keep chickens in your backyard, if you live in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor City Council has approved the fee for a chicken permit. In June, they voted to end a long-standing poultry ban by letting people keep up to four hens in their backyards.

No roosters are allowed under the ordinance, since they're too noisy. And slaughtering won't be permitted."

Here is the newest South east lower Michigan ordinance in favor of chickens in the city. I am putting the url first:

http://cityofypsilanti.com/services/administration_services/building_dep...

CITY OF YPSILANTI
NOTICE OF ADOPTED ORDINANCE
Ordinance No. 1100
An ordinance to allow for the keeping of a limited number of female chickens within the
City of Ypsilanti.
1. THE CITY OF YPSILANTI ORDAINS That Section 14-13 of the Ypsilanti City
Code be added with the following language:
Sec. 14-13. Keeping of Female Chickens (Hens)
(1) Any person who keeps hens in the City of Ypsilanti shall obtain a permit from the
City prior to acquiring the hens and pay a permit fee set by City Council. This
permit shall be kept by the owner and presented upon demand by any city official
or police officer. Permits are non-transferable and do not run with the land. A
permit may be obtained prior to June 1, 2010 by any property owner of a property
whose principle use is as a single-family or two-family zoned property within the
City of Ypsilanti. Permits issued prior to June 1, 2010 will expire on July 1, 2011
and be renewable for two-year periods. Permits shall provide a limited license for
the activity, and no vested zoning rights shall arise from said permit issuance.
(2) Notwithstanding the issuance of a permit by the City, private restrictions on the
use of property shall remain enforceable and take precedence over a permit.
Private restrictions include, but are not limited to, deed restrictions, condominium
master deed restrictions, neighborhood association by-laws and covenant deeds.
A permit issued to a person whose property is subject to private restrictions that
prohibit the keeping of hens is void. The interpretation and enforcement of the
private restriction is the sole responsibility of the private parties involved.
(3) A person who keeps or houses hens on his or her property shall comply with the
following requirements:
a. Must obtain a permit pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
b. Keep no more than 4 hens.
c. The principal use of the person’s property must be for a single-family
dwelling or two-family dwelling.
d. No person shall keep a male chicken (rooster).
e. No person shall slaughter any hens.
f. Any person keeping hens shall remain subject to public nuisance animal
controls codified in Section 14-11 of the Ypsilanti Code of Ordinances.
g. The hens shall be provided with a covered enclosure and must be kept in
the covered enclosure or a fenced enclosure at all times. Fenced enclosures
are subject to the provisions of Section 122-714 of the Code of Ordinances.
h. A person shall keep hens in the backyard only. For this subsection,
“backyard” means the portion of a lot enclosed by the property’s rear lot line
and the side lot lines to the points where the side lot lines intersect with an
imaginary line established by the rear of the single-family or two-family
structure and extending to the side lot lines.
i. All enclosures for the keeping of hens shall be constructed, repaired and
maintained in a manner to prevent rats, mice, or other rodents from being
harbored underneath, within, or within the walls of the enclosure.
j. All feed and other items associated with the keeping of hens that are likely
to attract or to become infested shall be so protected so as to prevent rats,
mice, or other rodents from gaining access to or coming into contact with
them.
k. Chicken coops and enclosures shall be at least 20 feet from any residential
structure not owned by the permitee unless written permission is granted
from the owner of the affected residential structure.
(4) If the requirements of subsection (3) are not fully complied with, the City may
revoke any permit granted under this section and/or initiate prosecution for a civil
infraction violation.
2. Severability. If any clause, sentence, section, paragraph, or part of this
ordinance, or the application thereof to any person, firm, corporation, legal entity, or
circumstances, shall be for any reason adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not effect, impair, or invalidate the
remainder of this Ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons,
firms, corporations, legal entities, or circumstances by such judgment shall be confined
in its operation to the clause, sentence, section, paragraph, or part of this Ordinance
thereof directly involved in the case or controversy in which such judgment shall have
been rendered and to the person, firm, corporation, legal entity, or circumstances then
and there involved. It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent of this body that
the Ordinance would have been adopted had such invalid or unconstitutional provisions
not have been included in this Ordinance.
3. Repeal. All other Ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance
are, to the extent of such inconsistencies, hereby repealed.
4. Savings Clause. The balance of the Code of Ordinances, City of Ypsilanti,
Michigan, except as herein or previously amended, shall remain in full force and effect.
The repeal provided herein shall not abrogate or affect any offense or act committed or
done, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any pending fee, assessments, litigation,
or prosecution of any right established, occurring prior to the effective date hereof.
5. Copies to be available. Copies of the Ordinance are available at the office of
the city clerk for inspection by, and distribution to, the public during normal office
hours.
6. Publication and Effective Date. The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance, or
a summary of this Ordinance, to be published by printing the same in the Ypsilanti
Courier. This Ordinance shall become effective after publication at the expiration of 30
days after adoption.
MADE, PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE YPSILANTI CITY COUNCIL THIS ___21st_ DAY OF
July, 2009.
______________________________
Frances McMullan, City Clerk
Attest
I do hereby confirm that the above Ordinance No. 1100 was published in the Ypsilanti
Courier on the ____30th___ day of ____July___________, 2009.
_______________________________
Frances McMullan, City Clerk
CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTING
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Ordinance passed at the regular
meeting of the City Council held on the __21st_ day of _____July__________, 2009.
________________________________
Frances McMullan, City Clerk
Notice Published: __June 14, 2009_____________
First Reading: ____July 7, 2009________________
Second Reading: ___July 21, 2009______________
Published: _____July 30, 2009_________________
Effective Date: ___August 30, 2009____________

Doesnt the Federal Right to Farm Law trump all town ordinaces. I have no rooster so noise is no problem. We keep them in large fenced in area. They are kept very clean, no smell, and are spoiled rotten. So animal control could'nt complain. The right to Farm law says you can have chickens as long as you are selling either meat or eggs. I have a binder that I keep track of expenses, daily egg production, and how many eggs I'm selling and to whom. I also have a jar that all the egg money goes into, all of their expenses come out of that fund. That way there could never be a question with the city. My township does not want us to have chickens. But they seem to have a don't ask don't tell policy. We live on a busy corner just outside of Bay City Michigan. Everyone knows we have them, and have had them since we moved here in April. We have had no complaits and plan to get 10 more in the Spring bringing the total up to 20. We have to because the eggs are in such high demand we never have enough for everyone. We average 8 eggs a day and get $2.OO a dozen. Good luck everyone.

The event that gives rise to the loss that is subject to the insured at least in principle take place at a known time in a known place and from a known cause.The classic example is death of an insured person on a life insurance policy.
Regards,
shein - life insurance quote

http://urbanchickens.org/we-need-your-chicken-ordinances

http://urbanchickens.org/we-need-your-chicken-ordinances