|
(5) Setbacks. Coops or accessory structures housing hens shall be kept at least three feet from
<br />the side and rear property lines. All such structures shall be located no less than 20 feet behind the
<br />rearmost wall of the principal structure on the lot.
<br />(6) Enclosure. The base surface of a coop and run must not exceed 80 square feet and six feet
<br />in height and shall be exempt from the lot coverage restrictions contained in the Zoning Code.
<br />Hens shall not be allowed out of these enclosures unless the rear yard of the property is fenced
<br />along the rear and side lot lines, and a resident of the property on which the hens are kept is
<br />directly monitoring them within the fenced area of the back yard such that the resident is able to
<br />immediately return the hens to the cage or coop if necessary. The manufacturer's specifications for
<br />the coop, or otherwise adequate drawings including dimensions, shall be submitted for approval
<br />together with the application for the permit. Hens shall be kept in a covered, predator -proof coop
<br />that is well -ventilated and designed to be accessed for cleaning. The enclosure shall be of uniform
<br />and sturdy design and constructed of quality materials. Fencing, if used, shall be securely fastened
<br />to posts of reasonable strength firmly set into the ground and shall be stretched tightly between
<br />support posts. The enclosure shall be maintained in good repair at all times so as to protect the
<br />aesthetics of the neighborhood and to not present a blighted or untidy appearance to the property
<br />or to neighbors. Hens shall have access to an outdoor enclosure or run that is adequately fenced to
<br />contain the hens on the property, to prevent them from running at large, and to prevent access by
<br />predators. The combined area of the coop and run shall allow at least three square feet per hen, and
<br />shall otherwise be constructed to provide humane conditions and to ensure the health and well-
<br />being of the animals occupying it are not endangered by the manner of keeping or confinement.
<br />(7) Sanitation, Slaughtering. The coop and outdoor enclosure must be kept clean, dry and
<br />sanitary; free from debris and offensive odors; and devoid of rodents and vermin. It shall be so
<br />located that adequate drainage is obtained, normal drying occurs and standing water is not
<br />present. The coop and outdoor enclosure must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the
<br />accumulation of waste. All feed must be stored in a rodent - proof container. No hens shall be
<br />slaughtered except in accordance with, and only if permitted by, Chapter 918 of the Ohio Revised
<br />Code.
<br />(8) Number and Transferability. Within the first year of the effective date of this section, no
<br />more than 24 non - transferable permits shall be issued pursuant to this subsection (e). At the first
<br />anniversary of the effective date of this section and at each anniversary thereafter, an additional 13
<br />non - transferable permits may be issued pursuant to this subsection (e), except that at no time
<br />shall the total number of permits issued in the City exceed 50. Initial applications shall be kept on
<br />file by the Director of Public Safety and considered in order of their receipt.
<br />(9) Permit Revocation. The Director of Public Safety may revoke a permit at any time if the
<br />permit holder materially fails to adhere to the provisions of this subsection (e).
<br />(10) Appeal. Any denial of a permit application or revocation of a permit may be appealed to
<br />the Board of Building Standards pursuant to Section 1173.05.
<br />(f) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, bees, and associated hives, may be kept in the City
<br />only in accordance with the following regulations:
<br />(1) Definitions. As used in this article, the following words and terms shall have the
<br />meanings ascribed in this section unless the context of their usage indicates another usage.
<br />A. "Apiary" means any place where one or more colonies or nucleus colony of bees are
<br />kept.
<br />B. "Bees" means any stage of any species of the genus Apis.
<br />C. "Beekeeper" means a person who owns or has charge of one or more colonies of bees.
<br />D. "Beehive" means any modern frame hive, box hive, box, or any other natural or artificial
<br />receptacle, or any part thereof, that may be used as a domicile for bees.
<br />E. "Colony" means the beehive and its equipment, including bees, combs and brood.
<br />F. "Beekeeping equipment" means anything used, in the operation of an apiary, such as hive
<br />bodies supers, frames, top and bottom boards, hive tools, smoker, gloves, veil, protective clothing,
<br />and extracting equipment.
<br />G. "Tract" means a contiguous parcel or land under common ownership.
<br />H. "Nuc'.' or "nucleus colony" means a small hive smaller than the usual hive box designed
<br />for a particular purpose.
<br />I. "Undeveloped property" means any idle land that is not improved or actually in the
<br />process of being improved with residential, commercial, industrial, church, park, school or
<br />governmental facilities or other structures or improvements intended for human use occupancy
<br />and the grounds maintained in association therewith. The term shall be deemed to include property
<br />developed exclusively as a street or highway or property used for commercial agricultural
<br />purposes.
<br />(2) Zoning districts. Bees may be kept in all zoning districts.
<br />(3) Application, permit, and renewal. Before the keeping of bees may occur, an annual permit
<br />shall first be obtained from the Director of Public Safety. Applications shall be filed with the
<br />Director of Public Safety. The permit application shall be accompanied by a five dollar ($5.00) fee
<br />paid to the City. All renewal applications shall be filed with the Director of Public Safety by June
<br />1 st along with a five dollar ($5.00) fee paid to the City. Permit applications shall include the
<br />following information:
<br />A. The name, phone number, home address and email address of the applicant;
<br />B. The size and location of the subject property;
<br />C. A proposal containing the number of hives the applicant seeks to keep on the property;
<br />D. The permission of the property owner for the applicant to keep bees, if the beekeeper is
<br />not the owner;
<br />E. An attestation that the applicant has attended a beekeeping class;
<br />
|