AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CANTON CITY CODE CHAPTER 91 ANIMALS
City Code Chapter 91, Section 4 (Farm Animals) is hereby amended to include the permitting of limited chickens.
A)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.
(B)CHICKENS LIMITED. It is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor chickens on any premises without a permit. No permit should be issued for the keeping or harboring of more than six hen chickens on any premises. No permit shall be issued for the keeping of any rooster chickens on any premises.
(C)PERMIT. No person shall maintain a chicken coop and run unless they have been granted a permit. 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 will be available in the City Clerk’s office. Included with the completed application shall be a scaled diagram that indicates the location of any chicken coop and run, the approximate size and distance from adjoining structures and property lines, and written approval from all adjacent property owners. A fee of $10.00 will be charged for each permit which shall expire on December 31st of each year of the permit. Failure to follow any of the requirements of this ordinance shall be deemed a violation of this section and shall allow the City to revoke the permit and demand removal of the chickens
(D)CONFINEMENT. Every person who owns, controls, keeps, maintains or harbors hen chickens shall keep them confined at all times while in the City in a chicken coop or chicken run.
(E)SETBACKS. Any coop and run shall be at least 25 feet from any residential structure on any adjacent property and no closer than 10 feet from the property line.
(F)CHICKEN COOPS. Chicken runs may be enclosed with wood and/or woven wire materials, and may allow chickens to contact the ground. Chicken feed shall be kept in rodent and raccoon-proof containers.
G)CONDITIONS. No person who owns, keeps or harbors hen chickens shall 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 may be inspected at any reasonable time by a City animal control official or other agent of the City.
(H)PENALTY. A violation is a misdemeanor, see § 91.99
Adopted this 9th day of February, 2022, by the City Council of the City of Canton.
By: Nick Prestby, Mayor
Attest: Brock Bergey, City Clerk
Publish 21