Decatur Georgia Chicken Ordinance

Are Chickens Allowed in this locationYes
Max Chickens AllowedNot stated
Roosters AllowedYes
Permit RequiredNo
Coop RestrictionsProximity, sanitation, noise ordinances apply.
City/Organization Contact name
Additional InformationSec. 14-8. Keeping of fowl and small domesticated animals--General regulations. Small domesticated animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs and fowl, such as chickens, ducks, geese, guineas, turkeys and the like may be kept within the city subject to the following regulations: (1) All such animals shall be provided with adequate and sanitary housing. Such houses, hutches, pens, stables, sheds, stalls and enclosures wherein domesticated animals, poultry or other fowl are kept shall have a solid floor as may be approved by the county health officer. All such houses, hutches, pens, stables, sheds, stalls and enclosures, wherever located, shall have a minimum floor space of four square feet per animal or bird over one month old. (2) All houses, hutches, pens, stables, sheds, stalls or enclosures where such livestock, poultry or other fowl are kept shall not be nearer to any houses wherein human beings reside, other than the residence of the person who is the owner of such animals, than a distance equal to the width of the lot upon which the animals are kept, or a minimum distance of 75 feet should the lot be 75 feet or more in width. (3) Every person owning or keeping chickens or any other domestic fowl in the city is hereby required to keep such fowl and chickens under fence and not allow such chickens or fowl to run on any property other than his own. (Code 1967, § 5-8) Sec. 14-9. Same--Sanitary requirements. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having control of the use of any house, hutch, pen, stable, stall or enclosure or other place where domesticated animals, poultry or fowl are kept to allow the same to become filthy or unsanitary. Every person who owns or keeps such domesticated animals, poultry or fowl shall maintain in connection therewith a bin, pit or container in which the manure from such animals, poultry or fowl shall be placed pending removal. Such bin, pit or container shall be provided with covers or other devices, sufficient to prevent the ingress and egress of flies and other insect pests. All persons controlling such places where domesticated animals, poultry or fowl are kept shall remove all manure from such bins, pits or containers before the same shall become malodorous or unsanitary. However, any such person may use such manure upon his premises for the purpose of enriching his own ground. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person who possesses, harbors or is in charge of any animal not to immediately remove excrement deposited by the animal in the public right-of-way, in a city park or on private property not owned by the person responsible for the animal. Animal waste must be removed and disposed of in a sanitary manner. (c) It shall be the duty of any person having custody or control of any animal in the city to have in such person\'s possession a device or equipment for the picking up and removal of animal excrement when the animal is not confined to that person\'s property. The provisions of this section shall not apply to an animal aiding the handicapped (e.g., guide dog) or to an animal when in police or rescue activities. (Code 1967, § 5-9; Ord. No. O-05-05, Art. I, § 1, 4-4-05) Sec. 14-10. Same--Drainage of pens and other areas. All places wherein livestock, poultry or fowl are kept shall have adequate drainage sufficient to prevent standing water in yards or pens. (Code 1967, § 5-10) Sec. 14-11. Same--Use of lime or other chemicals required. All yards or pens wherein livestock, poultry or fowl are kept shall be regularly covered with lime or other suitable chemical agents, as may be approved by the county health officer, to prevent bad odors or nuisances to neighbors. (Code 1967, § 5-11) Sec. 14-12. Same--Exemptions. The preceding four sections shall not apply to regular poultry or meat markets licensed by the city where poultry is kept for instant sale and where such poultry is kept in metal or wooden cages so it can be sold or slaughtered, provided that this section shall be applicable only where such poultry is located within a building which has been zoned for such business by the city. (Code 1967, § 5-12) Sec. 14-13. Diseased animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to have or keep within the city any domesticated animal, poultry or fowl infected with a disease which may contaminate other animals, poultry or fowl. (Code 1967, § 5-13)
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Information Last Updated2010-03-26 14:56:34


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