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A. Types. Female chickens, pullets, or hens. Water fowl including ducks, geese, and swans, and other fowl are excluded from this section.

B. Limitations.

1. Female chickens, pullets or hens, hereby referred to as chickens, are allowed in Single-Family zones, the Urban Recreation zone, and on publicly-owned park properties.

2. In Single-Family and Urban Recreation zones, the following maximum number of chickens may be kept on an individually-owned property:

Zoning Designation

Allowed maximum number of chickens

UR

10

RA-5

10

R-1

10

R-2

10

R-3

8

R-4

7

R-5

6

R-6

4

R-8

0

RIN

Based on the size of the lot and corresponding density:

A. Lots below 30,000 square feet shall be allowed a maximum of six (6) chickens.

B. Lots greater than 30,000 square feet shall be allowed a maximum of seven (7) chickens.

3. On publicly owned park properties, there shall be no limit on the number of chickens kept provided that RMC 7.04.151, Animal structures and runs requirements are met.

C. Chicken Husbandry Registration. Approval of a Chicken Husbandry registration is required to house chickens on any property. The property owner(s) shall complete a Chicken Husbandry registration confirming that:

1. The property owner has read and understands RMC 7.04 Animal Control.

2. The property owner agrees to maintain the subject property and chicken husbandry activity in a manner that complies with RMC 7.04 Animal Control.

3. Property owners who housed chickens prior to December 6, 2011 are permitted to maintain chicken husbandry activities consistent with the RMC 7.04 Animal Control in effect as of December 6, 2011.

D. Shelter and Run.

1. Chickens shall be sheltered in a clean structure which shall be located no less than fifteen feet from any property line.

a. The shelter shall provide protection from the following:

i. Weather by providing a fully enclosed structure including walls, roof, floor, and securable door.

ii. Predators by being made of sturdy material such as plywood.

iii. Rodents by limiting small points of uncontrolled access, no larger than one-half inch.

2. On publicly owned park properties, there shall be no minimum setback for existing structures provided that RMC 7.04.151, Animal structures and runs requirements are met.

3. Chicken shelter, run, and other structures such as feed storage shall not be located in the front yard and shall be screened at a minimum of Type II – Visual Screen (RZC 21.32 Landscaping) from adjoining streets and access corridors.

4. RZC 21.08.230 Accessory Structures shall apply to chicken shelter, run, and other structures. In addition, the shelter shall be limited to no greater than 200 square feet in gross floor area and shall be no greater than eight feet in height.

5. A chicken run is an enclosed outside yard, no greater than six feet in height, for keeping chickens.

a. A run shall provide protection from the following:

i. Weather by providing a covered portion of run space that allows chickens to escape rain and snow.

ii. Predators by being made of sturdy, small gauge animal fencing such as chain link or chicken wire along the entire perimeter of the run. Floor fencing should also be installed. The top of the run shall be covered with additional similar fencing or netting in a manner that helps prevent chickens from straying.

6. The setback required for a chicken shelter and run may be reduced to five feet from any property line provided that the property adjacent to the proposed location of the chicken shelter and run is either:

a. Occupied primarily by a nonresidential use such as church, school, or park;

b. A permanently dedicated easement or tract such as a native protection growth easement or open space tract that is at least 10 feet in width; or

c. A street or permanent trail or access corridor that includes a right-of-way at least 10 feet in width.

E. Confinement. Adequate measures shall be taken to provide safety for the chickens and to prevent them from straying onto adjacent property.

F. Animal Waste. Adequate measures shall be taken to properly dispose of animal wastes. Accumulation of animal waste shall be prohibited from being stored within the required fifteen-foot animal shelter setback.

G. Slaughter. Slaughter is intended only for personal consumption and no more than one chicken may be slaughtered on any property located in a residential zone within a twenty-four-hour period. Adequate measures such as arrangement with a mobile slaughter unit or veterinary service shall be taken to slaughter any more than one chicken within a twenty-four-hour period outside of any City of Redmond Residential zone. (Ord. 2961 § 2, 2019; Ord. 2640 § 1 (part), 2011).