17.42.160 Domestic chickens | Marina Municipal Code

17.42.160 Domestic chickens.

1. “Domestic chicken” means an egg-laying female chicken (hen). For the purposes of this section, domestic chickens shall not include roosters.

2. “Hen house” means a house or enclosure for the domestic chicken, made of metal chicken wire, or other suitable material, so as to prevent the escape of domestic chickens. Hen houses shall be clean, dry, odor-free, neat and sanitary structures and shall have adequate ventilation and adequate sun and shade. Hen houses shall be impermeable to rodents, wild birds and predators, including raccoons, dogs and cats, and shall be maintained in good repair to prevent escape.

B. Development Regulations. Up to four domestic chickens shall be permitted within the MHR, R-1, R-2, and R-1/C-P zoning districts, as set forth in this chapter, upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars to the city clerk, and subject to the following rules and development regulations:

1. No more than four domestic chickens allowed per residential household.

2. Domestic chickens shall be raised for eggs and shall not be slaughtered or raised for consumption of their meat.

3. Domestic chickens shall only be permitted at a residential household if the household has a suitable hen house. The hen house shall be located at least ten feet from the property boundary. Hen houses shall be kept clean and maintained in good repair and shall be of a sufficient size to provide adequate and proper housing so as to prevent overcrowding. Hen houses must be located in the back yard and shall not be visible from the front of the residence.

4. Domestic chickens shall not be allowed to run at large on public or private property. Chickens may be permitted outside of an enclosure on the homeowner’s property within the rear yard only when attended by a person not younger than twelve years old.

5. Odors from domestic chickens, manure or other related substances shall not be perceptible beyond the boundaries of the permitted household. Manure in excess of that which can be safely and sanitarily utilized on the premises shall be removed and not allowed to accumulate.

6. Domestic chickens must be provided with access to feed and clean water at all times.

7. All feed and other items associated with the keeping of domestic chickens which are likely to attract or to become infested with or infected by rats, mice, rodents, wild birds or predators shall be protected so as to prevent rats, mice, rodents, wild birds or predators from gaining access to or coming into contact with the feed or other such items.

8. Domestic chickens shall be treated humanely and shall be used only for the raising of eggs.

9. The keeping of domestic chickens shall not result in a public or private nuisance.

10. Owners of domestic chickens currently in the city will have ninety days from the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this section to come into compliance with its requirements. (Ord. 2020-07 § 2, 2020; Ord. 2013-09 § 1, 2013)