Chapter 2 · Animal Control and Regulation

Article 1. Livestock and Fowl Generally

Sections 2-101 to 2-112 · 12 sections

2-101 Definition of livestock.

Any member of the horse family, jackass family, swine family, sheep family, goat family or any species of cattle.

(Ord. 1132; Ord. 1245; Code 2022)

2-102 Definition of fowl.

Any member of the species Gallus domesticus, any pigeon, any species of peafowl or any bird used for food or hunted as game.

(Ord. 1132; Ord. 1245; Code 2022)

2-103 Prohibition on keeping or harboring livestock and fowl; exceptions.

(a)It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, shelter or maintain livestock or fowl within the corporate city limits.

(b)Exceptions:

(1)Livestock and fowl under direct supervision of and upon the premises of fairs, livestock shows, rodeos or circuses shall be exempt from this restriction.

(2)Livestock and fowl under the supervision of an educational institution.

(3)Female members of the species Gallus domesticus in conformance with the provisions of Section 2-111 hereof.

(Ord. 1132; Ord. 1245; Code 2022; Ord. 1367)

2-104 Livestock, fowl at large.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to permit or allow any livestock or fowl to run at large within the city or to picket or drive any livestock or fowl in or upon any street, avenue, lane, alley or other public ground within the city. Exception: Livestock and fowl under direct supervision of and upon the premises of fairs, livestock shows, rodeos or circuses shall be exempt from this restriction.

(Ord. 1132; Ord. 1245; Code 2022)

2-105 Swine, hog pen, stables.

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any swine within 50 feet of any dwelling or business house or suffer or permit any hog pen, stable, dog kennel or privy to become a nuisance to the annoyance of any person or neighborhood, in the city.

(Ord. 180, Sec. 10; Code 1994, 2-104)

2-106 Health regulations.

The public officer is authorized and empowered to make and publish rules and regulations pertaining to the keeping of livestock and fowl within the city and may by such rules forbid the keeping of all or any class of livestock and fowl in the city during such times and at such places as the board shall deem to be inimical and hazardous to the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the city. The board may make regulations pertaining to the sanitary conditions of stables, pens or lots where any such livestock and fowl are fed or kept and shall cause the same to be cleaned and kept free of all offensive odors and conditions and in so doing may limit the number of any animals or fowl which may be lawfully kept within the city. A violation of the rules and regulations duly published shall constitute a misdemeanor and a violation of this section.

(Ord. 180, Sec. 9; Code 1994, 2-105)

2-107 Indecent exhibitions.

No person shall breed or permit the breeding of any animals in public view within the city.

(Ord. 180, Sec. 25; Code 1994)

2-108 Racing.

It shall be unlawful for any person to race, run or cause to be run upon any street or alley in the city any horse, mule or other animal or to drive or ride any animal in such manner as to endanger the safety of any person.

(Ord. 180, Sec. 7; Code 1994)

2-109 Picketing animals.

It shall be unlawful for any person to picket any horses, cattle or other animals in any street or alley of the city.

(Ord. 180, Sec. 18; Code 1994)

2-110 Livery barns.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on or maintain in any building upon any lot or piece of ground fronting or abutting on main street, or upon any part of blocks numbered One, Two, Eleven, Twelve, and in the city, any livery, feed or sale stable, or to maintain or operate any place for public use where horses or livestock are cared for, fed or kept for sale or hire, on any of the above described premises.

(Ord. 180, Sec. 23; Code 1994)

2-111 Domestic Chickens.

It shall be permitted to keep female members of the species Gallus domesticus (domestic chicken) upon property within the City provided the following requirements are met:

(a)No more than 10 chickens may be kept upon any single property; provided, on properties of greater than 15,000 square feet, one additional chicken is permitted for each 1,000 square feet in excess of 15,000 square feet, up to a maximum of 15 chickens.

(b)No male chickens (roosters) shall be kept within the City.

(c)All chickens shall be provided with an adequate coop or shelter designed to protect chickens from weather or the elements and discourage predators or vermin.

(d)Chickens shall be confined within the property boundaries. Chickens and coops/shelters must be located in the rear or side yard of the property, located no closer than 10 feet from the property line, and at least 50 feet from any adjacent dwelling, church, school, or place of business, except for the dwelling located on the property. Chickens and coops/shelters shall not be permitted in the front yard of a property. Unconfined or inadequately confined chickens are prohibited.

(e)Every coop, shelter or yard in which chickens are kept shall be maintained in a clean, dry and sanitary manner to prevent the accumulation of waste, the emanation of noxious odors, or the presence of pests, rodents or other vermin.

(f)Odor from the maintaining of chickens perceptible at or beyond the property boundaries is prohibited.

(g)Perceptible noise from chickens loud enough at the property boundaries to disturb persons of reasonable sensibilities is prohibited.

(h)Chickens shall not to be kept for profit or commercial/business purposes. Commercial chicken operations are prohibited except as otherwise provided for in City Code or zoning regulations.

(Ord. 1367)

2-112 Inspections; Violations.

The public officer has the right of access and entry upon public property at any reasonable time for the purpose of making inquiry and inspection to determine compliance with this Article. Any violation of this Article, policies, rules, or regulations established by the public officer, or other condition that constitutes a health hazard or that interferes with the use or enjoyment of neighboring property is a nuisance and may be abated under Chapter 8 of this Code. In addition, any violation of this Article may be cited as a Code violation in municipal court punishable by a fine and court costs; and each day such violation continues shall be a separate offense.

(Ord. 1367)