What can I do?

I would imagine that the 6' height assumes a non covered run/pen.
That run has to be twice the size of coop, but coop must be within the run is interesting...a raised coop might be good here.
Wonder if run be bigger than twice the coop size, but no larger than the 24x24 deemed by the max 12x12 coop size?

So, @GreenLivingNC ..... how big is your coop in feet by feet, and does it meet the setback rules?

I think perhaps I'm not up to date on the correct terminology and understanding the difference between a run, pen, and coop. The area where we keep them now is probably about 8feet by 4 feet. It'seems about 10 feet. In height. It has nesting boxes up on shelves. See the picture above. We are thinking of adding additional fencing outside of this area that they could roam in but it would have to meet the requirements listed in the ordinance above.

Maybe check to see if the size constraints can be cumulative. A 12' x 12' coop is 144 sqft. Your coop sounds much smaller, as does your run. If size could be cumulative, you could construct a tractor that has its own smaller coop attached. This would definitely allow for a much more varied environment. Of course it really depends on how subjective the official is who reads the code,ie. does it specifically only say you can have one?
This is where there might be some sort of compromise. It's could be similar to the minimum square footage for homes and permanent tiny homes being prohibited. I have read where a person has checked with the city zoning department and inquired about building two independent 500 sqft structures on a shared footing. These were then connected with a breezeway. One serves as a "tiny house" and the other as a home business/office.

Where I live, we really have no regulations on coop size or loose chickens. That being said, we have no code enforcement for loose dogs either. My hens have a coop and fenced run beside my house which attaches to a 5 ft chain link fenced backyard. When my lades are loose the have almost half an acre to forage without much harassment.

A coop is an enclosed structure your chickens would spend the night in. Some people have more open style coops but generally you're thinking something with 4 walls, a lockable door, a roost bar.

What they're calling a pen is what most would call a run. So going by the ordinance:
- assuming your coop is 8' x 4', your run should enclose the entire coop and measure a maximum of 64 sq ft with minimum 6' tall fence walls
- the whole set up should be set back 15' from neighboring properties, in the rear yard, and placed closer to your house than any other house

From another look at your photo, I'm guessing the previous owner used the entire set up as their "pen" and just kept the chickens inside. As a coop it's way more than 3 chickens need but as a coop+run it would be on the small side, so going by that, the easiest "fix" is to add an extension to the current structure. You could use 1 existing wall and just fence off additional space that measures 8' x 4' x 6'. That would double the space they have and give them plenty of room while requiring the least amount of work from you and would also satisfy the ordinance.

My photo isn't ideal for this but just as an example, pretend my coop and run on the right is your existing set up. On the left is my auxiliary run - so you could do something like that (with appropriate height walls) which is attached to your current set up. I have a gate in between that can be open or closed to let the chickens in and out.

GreenLivingNC said:

I think perhaps I'm not up to date on the correct terminology and understanding the difference between a run, pen, and coop. The area where we keep them now is probably about 8feet by 4 feet. It'seems about 10 feet. In height. It has nesting boxes up on shelves. See the picture above. We are thinking of adding additional fencing outside of this area that they could roam in but it would have to meet the requirements listed in the ordinance above.

Click to expand...

Yes, pen and run are basically the same thing.
Get your tape measure out and see exactly how big the coop is.....then your run/pen can be twice the square footage of the coop.
I would suggest Tposts and 14 ga 2x4 welded wire 6 ft tall for your pen/run.
A pic of coop from farther back showing the surrounding area might help.