G9-16Ordinance No. G9 -16
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 7.08 OF THE ELGIN MUNICIPAL CODE, 1976,
AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "KEEPING OF CHICKENS"
WHEREAS, the City of Elgin is a home rule unit and as a home rule unit may exercise
any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Elgin has determined that it is appropriate to
amend the current regulations for the keeping of chickens within the City of Elgin; and
WHEREAS, the keeping of chickens within the City of Elgin and regulations pertaining
thereto involve public health and pertain to the government and affairs of the City of Elgin.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS:
Section 1. That Section 7.08.030 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Confinement" be and is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"All hens kept in the city shall be entirely confined in a pen, coop, building, or other
enclosure at all times. During daylight hours hens may also be temporarily kept in a
mobile screened enclosure commonly known as a chicken tractor. Such chicken tractors
shall be located only in a rear yard in accordance with the structures- location restrictions
provided for in this chapter. No chicken shall be kept inside a residence, with the
exception that baby chicks less than eight (8) weeks old may be kept indoors until such
time as it is fully feathered."
Section 2. That Section 7.08.050 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Structures- Requirements" be and is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"Structures housing hens shall consist of a covered inside enclosure known as a coop and
an adjacent covered outside fenced area known as a pen. Structures housing hens shall
provide not less than ten (10) square feet per hen with coop size limited to not more than
fifty (50) square feet and pen enclosures limited to not more than one hundred (100)
square feet. Coops shall be constructed to specifications as approved by the Community
Development Director and must be placed either above ground or on a hard surface such
as concrete, patio block or gravel and able to withstand natural forces such as wind, rain
and snow. Wooden or pre -cast concrete posts shall be acceptable foundations if they are
placed at least twenty -four inches into the ground and firmly tamped with dirt or gravel.
Wooden or pre -cast concrete posts may also be secured into the ground using anchor
posts that are otherwise typically used for fencing or decks. Any structure housing hens
including any pen, coop, building or other enclosure that is not fully enclosed shall be
screened to a height of six (6) feet. Said screening shall be comprised of fences or walls
six (6) feet in height."
Section 3. That Section 7.08.090 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "License Permit Process" be and is hereby further amended by deleting subparagraph D
thereof.
Section 4. That Section 7.08.180 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Number of Licenses and Permits to be Issued" be and is hereby further amended to read
as follows:
"The number of licenses authorizing the keeping of chickens shall not exceed twenty -five
(25) in number. The number of building permits issued in conjunction with structures
housing hens including pens, coops, buildings or enclosures shall not exceed twenty -five
(25) in number.
Section 5. That Chapter 7.08 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Keeping of Chickens" be and is hereby further amended by deleting therefrom Section
7.08.190 entitled "One Year Pilot Project' and by renumbering Section 7.08.200 entitled
"Severability" accordingly.
Section 6. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of
this ordinance be and are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section 7. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and
publication in the manner provided by law.
David J. Kapt" n, M yor
Presented: February 24, 2016
Passed: February 24, 2016
Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 2
Recorded: February 24, 2016
Published: February 26, 2016
Attest:
Att 4�� Lee
Kimberly Dewis, eity Clerk
PA