A. No more than four (4) hens, including chickens and pullets, may be kept per single-family residential lot pursuant to subsection (N) of this section. In no event shall the four (4) allowed hens, including chickens or chicks, count toward the accumulative total of household pets pursuant to MLMC 6.04.040.

B. No roosters are allowed.

C. Chickens, except for pullets, shall not be kept inside any permitted dwelling.

D. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors must be set back at least ten feet (10') from all property lines. 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.

F. Hen houses, coops and chicken tractors shall provide for adequate shelter, be kept clean and maintained so that dust, manure and odors are not detectable beyond any property line. When a conflict arises as to the proper care and housing of chickens the standards 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 one hundred twenty (120) square feet in size and shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height at the structure’s highest point.

H. Hen houses and coops shall provide at least four (4) square feet of space per chicken.

I. Chicken tractors shall provide at least four (4) square feet of space per chicken.

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 Moses Lake’s shoreline master plan and critical areas ordinance 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 run at large and shall be enclosed within a hen house, coop or chicken tractor at all times.

N. Chickens shall be allowed only on single-family residential lots containing a maximum of one (1) residence.

O. Chicken manure shall be managed so as not to create a nuisance or be in violation of MLMC Chapter 8.14 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 activity in the vicinity of any chicken structure or enclosure shall require the licensed owner of the chickens to eradicate the rodents in compliance with local, state and federal laws. (Ord. 2994, 11/23/21; Ord. 2798, 2/23/16)