Chapter 6.16 - DOMESTIC POULTRY AND BEEKEEPING
Part of the Code of Ordinances of South Salt Lake, UT.
The text
6.16.010 - Intent.#
The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards for the keeping of domestic poultry and domestic bees in appropriate residential zones in the City of South Salt Lake. it is intended to enable residents to keep a limited number of hens for non-commercial purposes, while establishing standards to limit the adverse impacts on neighboring properties, and ensuring the health and sanitation of the domestic poultry and related structures. It is also intended to impose requirements related to beekeeping to avoid problems with keeping bees in metropolitan and populated areas.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.020 - Agricultural zone exempt.#
The provisions of this chapter do not apply to property located within the agricultural zone.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.030 - Revocation of permit.#
Any permit issued under this chapter may be revoked for violations of the standards in this chapter, which revocation may be appealed as provided in Section 6.04.040 of this code.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.040 - General requirements for domestic poultry.#
A.
For parcels with a lot area of six thousand (6,000) square feet, residents may apply to keep up to four hens. One additional hen shall be permitted for every one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet greater than the minimum lot area, up to a maximum of six hens.
B.
Parcels in single-family residential zones that contain more than two residential dwelling units or a non-conforming multifamily structure shall not be eligible for a domestic poultry permit.
C.
It shall be unlawful for any resident to keep hens in a single-family residential zone without a current domestic poultry permit from South Salt Lake City animal services.
D.
Hens shall be kept for personal use only. The selling of eggs, fertilizer or breeding of hens is prohibited.
E.
All hens shall be kept in a henhouse or run. Henhouses and runs shall be fenced and maintained in accordance with the design standards set forth in this chapter. Chickens only may be allowed outside of the henhouse during daylight hours, inside of an enclosed yard.
F.
It shall be unlawful for any domestic poultry to be at large within city limits.
G.
It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or custodian of any domestic poultry to allow the animal(s) to be a nuisance to any neighbor(s), including:
1.
Noxious odors from the animals or related structure,
2.
Associated rodent or pest infestation,
3.
Noise of a loud and persistent and habitual nature, or
4.
Any other condition which constitutes a nuisance pursuant to Utah law.
H.
An officer of South Salt Lake City animal services, South Salt Lake City code enforcement, South Salt Lake City police department or the Salt Lake County health department shall determine whether a nuisance exists.
I.
The slaughtering of hens in public view is prohibited, but must be humane in any case.
J.
It shall be unlawful for any resident to keep roosters, crowing hens, peafowl, or waterfowl, except where they are allowed as a legally nonconforming use.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.050 - Construction and maintenance requirements for henhouses and runs.#
A.
Location:
1.
The henhouse and run shall be located in the rear yard only. On double frontage lots or corner lots, henhouses and runs shall not be allowed within twenty (20) feet of any dedicated street.
2.
The henhouse and run shall be a minimum of five feet from any property line.
3.
The henhouse and run shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the residence of the domestic poultry permit holder.
4.
The henhouse and run shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any adjacent residential structure, school building, or church.
B.
Design Requirements:
1.
The henhouse shall be enclosed on all sides and have a roof and access door that are able to be shut and secured. The henhouse shall be ventilated and impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators including raccoons, skunks, dogs and cats. Any openings on the henhouse or the entire henhouse shall be elevated at least eighteen (18) inches above ground. Except for access doors, all other openings shall be sealed with rodent and predator-proof wire mesh with openings of one-quarter inch or smaller.
2.
The henhouse shall be free-standing and accessible on all sides for cleaning and maintenance.
3.
The run shall be fully enclosed, including a roof, by a secured fence at all times. The fence must be at least five feet in height and no more than six feet in height. The fence shall be made of one-quarter inch metal mesh hardware cloth and buried at least two feet in the ground. The buried portion of the fence shall be bent outward at least two feet and covered with soil or pavers. Chicken wire shall not be permitted.
4.
The total area of the henhouse and run shall be at least of six square feet per hen and the total area of the henhouse shall be at least of two square feet per hen. The total area of the run shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet and the total area of the henhouse shall not exceed thirty-six (36) square feet.
5.
Materials used for henhouses and runs shall be suitable for use in single-family residential zones. Wooden structures shall be painted or stained. Prefabricated henhouses are allowed, provided they meet the specification for excluding rodents.
6.
The henhouse shall not exceed eight feet in height at its tallest point.
C.
Sanitation Requirements.
1.
All henhouses and runs shall be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition;
2.
All droppings shall be cleaned out at least once every week.
3.
Chicken pens shall be thoroughly cleaned with a standard disinfectant at least three (3) times yearly, once in each of the months of March, July and October.
4.
At all times, all hens shall have access to feed and clean liquid water.
5.
Compost or manure which is generated by the use must comply with Salt Lake County regulations regarding storage and disposal.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.060 - Domestic poultry permit.#
A.
A domestic poultry permit shall be required for the keeping of hens.
B.
Residents seeking a domestic poultry permit shall submit a completed written application to South Salt Lake City animal services. All requirements, attachments and fees set forth on the application shall be satisfied and submitted to South Salt Lake City animal services before the application shall be deemed completed.
C.
Domestic poultry permit applications shall include the following documentation:
1.
A completed and signed domestic poultry permit application.
2.
Fee paid, per the South Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule.
3.
Site Plan. The domestic poultry permit application shall include a site plan that incorporates the following elements:
a.
The site plan shall include a date, north arrow and appropriate scale to reflect the location of the henhouse and run; and
b.
The site plan shall include the locations of and distances from all existing property lines, neighboring residences, and any other structure within fifty (50) feet of the proposed henhouse and run location; and
c.
The site plan shall include the dimensions of the existing or proposed henhouse and run; and
d.
A photograph or illustration of the design of the henhouse and run, including construction materials, height and width dimensions.
4.
For residents who are renting or leasing property, a notarized affidavit from the property owner granting the applicant permission to keep hens.
D.
Issuance of any domestic poultry permit is contingent upon successful completion of an on-site inspection by South Salt Lake City animal services.
E.
A representative of South Salt Lake City or the Salt Lake Valley health department may inspect the domestic poultry enclosure and hen house at reasonable times to determine compliance. If entry during reasonable times is denied by the permit holder or property owner, the city may revoke the permit or may apply for a warrant to enter the property to conduct the inspection.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.100 - General requirements for domestic beekeeping.#
A.
An apiary, consisting of not more than three (3) hives or an equivalent capacity, may be maintained in a side yard or rear yard of a parcel in single-family residential (R1) zones having a minimum lot area of four thousand five hundred (4,500) square feet.
B.
Residents renting or leasing property shall be required to submit a notarized affidavit from the property owner granting the applicant permission to maintain an apiary.
C.
All apiaries shall comply with Salt Lake County health department regulations, as amended.
D.
Parcels in single-family residential zones that contain more than two residential dwelling units or a non-conforming multifamily structures shall not be eligible to maintain an apiary.
E.
Each beekeeper shall be registered with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food as provided in the Utah Bee Inspection Act set forth in Utah Code, as amended. Proof of registration shall be sent to the city.
F.
Apiaries shall be placed on property so the general flight pattern of bees is in a direction that will deter bee contact with humans and domesticated animals.
G.
If any portion of an apiary is located within fifteen (15) feet from an area which provides public access or from a property line on the lot where an apiary is located, as measured from the nearest point on the hive to the property line, a flyway barrier of at least six feet in height shall be established and maintained around the hive except as needed to allow access. Such flyway, if located along the property line or within five feet of the property line, shall consist of a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation, or a combination thereof, which extends at least ten (10) feet beyond the hive in each direction so that bees are forced to fly to an elevation of at least six feet above ground level over property lines in the vicinity of the apiary.
H.
Each beekeeper shall ensure that a convenient source of water is available to the colony in a manner which is appropriate for providing water to bees, continuously between March 1 and October 31 of each year. The water shall be in a location that minimizes any nuisance created by bees seeking water on neighboring property.
I.
Each beekeeper shall ensure that no bee comb or other beekeeping equipment is left upon the grounds of an apiary site. Upon removal from a hive, all such equipment shall promptly be disposed of in a sealed container or placed within a building or other bee-proof enclosure.
J.
The keeping of bees for commercial enterprises is prohibited in any zone outside of the agricultural (A-1) zone.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.110 - Requirements for hives.#
A.
Honeybee colonies shall be kept in hives with removable frames which shall be kept in sound and usable conditions.
B.
Hives shall be placed at least five feet from any property line and six inches above the ground, as measured from the ground to the lowest portion of the hive with clear space underneath; provided, however, that the five-foot requirement may be waived in writing by the adjoining property owner.
C.
Hives shall be operated and maintained as provided in the Utah Bee Inspection Act.
D.
Each hive shall be conspicuously marked with the owner's name, address, telephone number, and state registration number.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)
6.16.120 - Nuisance conduct.#
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep beehives in a manner that is contrary to the provisions of this chapter or in a manner that threatens public health or safety, or creates a nuisance. In such cases, the city may apply for and receive an order of abatement to remove apiaries or bee colonies.
(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)