2798ORDINANCE NO.2798
^AN ORDINANCE CREATING CHAPTER 6.07 OF THE MOSES LAKE MUNICIPAL
CODE ENTITLED "CHICKENS"
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.Chapter 6.07 ofthe Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled "Chickens"is created as follows:
Sections:
6.07.010 Chicken Management:Chickens may be kept within the city limits of Moses Lake,provided:
A.No more than four (4)hens,including chickens and pullets,may be kept per single-family
residential lot pursuant to subsection (N)ofthis section.In no event shall the four (4)allowed
hens,including chickens or chicks,count toward the accumulative total ofhousehold pets
pursuantto MLMC 18.10.140.
B.No roosters are allowed.
C.Chickens,exceptfor pullets,shall not bekeptinside any permitted dwelling.
D.Hen houses,coops and chicken tractors must be set back at least ten feet (10')from allpropertylines.No hen house,coop or tractor may be located within ten feet (10')of any
neighboring residence.
E.Hen houses,coops and chicken tractors shall be kept at least five feet (5)from any other
structure including decks.
M F.Hen houses,coops and chicken tractors shall provide for adequate shelter,bekept clean and
maintained so that dust,manure and odors arenot detectable beyond anyproperty line.When
aconflict arises astotheproper care and housing ofchickens thestandards set forth as found
in the February 2009 Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC)Standards for chickens shall apply.
G.Hen houses,coops and chicken tractors including chicken runs shall not exceed onehundred
twenty (120)square feet in size and shall not exceed eight feet (8')in height atthe structure's
highest point.
H.Hen houses andcoops shall provide at least four (4)square feet of space perchicken.
I.Chicken tractors shall provide at least four (4)square feet of space perchicken.
J.Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall be restricted to the backyard area of a
single-family residential lot.
K.Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall be set back from any body of water in
compliance with the City of MosesLake's shoreline master plan and critical areasordinance
as each are currently enacted or hereinafter amended.
L.Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall be set back one hundred feet (100')from any
public or private well.
M.Chickens shall not be allowed to runat largeand shall be enclosed withina hen house,coop
or chicken tractor at all times.
N.Chickens shall be allowed onlyon single-family residential lots containing amaximumofone
^_J (1)residence.
ORDINANCE NO.2798
PAGE 2 February 23,2016
O.Chicken manure shall be managed so as not to create a nuisance or be in violation of MLMCChapter8.14 as currently enacted or hereinafter amended.^"^
P.Chickens shall not be slaughtered outside within the City limits.
Q. All chicken feed or food set aside for chickens shall be stored in rodent proof containers and
feeders.
R. All structures used to house or care for chickens,including hen houses,coops and chicken
tractors, shall be maintained in a manner to ensure that rodents are not present.
S. Any rodent activityinthe vicinityof any chicken structure or enclosure shallrequirethe licensed
ownerof the chickensto eradicate the rodents incompliancewith local,stateand federal laws.
6.07.020 Chicken License:
A. Annual License: A single license to keep up to four(4)chickens per single-family residential
lot shall be obtained annually by the owner as provided for in MLMC 6.07.030.
B.License Expiration:A chicken license shall expire one (1)year from the date of issuance.
C.Exemptions from License Fees:The following are exempt from license fees:
1.Chickens inthetemporary custody of a veterinarian or animal welfare organization whose
owners are unknown.
2.Chickens owned,and available for retail sale,by the owner or operator of a licensed
commercial pet facility.
6.07.030 Chicken License Procedure:The City Clerk, animal control authority, or the authorized agents
thereof shall issue an annual license as specified in this section:
A. An annual license shall be obtained priorto the introduction ofchickenson any propertywithin
Moses Lake.Said license shall be renewed each year.
B.The annual license fee is ten dollars ($10).
C.The annual license shall contain the following:
1.Date of issuance and date of expiration.
2.A serial number.
3. The name,address,and telephone number of the owner of the chicken(s).
6.07.040 Right to Enter Property for Purpose of Inspection:The annual license shall contain provisions
allowing for designated Cityrepresentatives to enter the property ofthe licensee for the purpose
of verifying compliance with this chapter.
6.07.050 Keeping of Existing Chickens:Any citizen legally possessing chickens at the time the ordinance
codified in this chapter is repealed or amended to prohibit the keeping of chickens,shall be
allowed to maintain those chickens unless ordered otherwise pursuant to this title until the
chickens expire orare removed bythe owner.In no event shallany owner be allowedto add to the
number of chickens kept, or to replace any of those existing chickens which expire, after the
ordinance codified in this chapter is repealed or amended to prohibitthe keeping of chickens.
n
r^
ORDINANCE NO.2798
PAGE 3 February 23,2016
Section 2.This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5)days after its passage and publication of
its summary as provided by law.
Adopted by the City Council and signed by its Mayor on February 23,2016
C\A&.Todd Voth,Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Katherine L.Kenison, City^Attorney