VII.1. First Reading Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 of the Hopkins City Code Regarding Chickens; LenzAugust 4, 2020 Council Report 2020-055
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE HOPKINS CITY CODE REGARDING
CHICKENS
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to adopt for First Reading Ordinance 2020-
1156 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 of the Hopkins City Code Regarding Chickens.
Overview
The purpose of amending the City Code is to allow for the chickens in single-family residential
neighborhoods in the city. Council received requests earlier this year regarding chickens and asked staff to
review the issue
By adding language regarding chickens, to our City Code, residents in single-family residential
neighborhoods would have the option to have chickens on their property with certain restrictions and
regulation. Staff posted an earlier version of the ordinance for public engagement and received 233 survey
responses. After reviewing the responses, staff revised the ordinance to reduce setbacks slightly to allow
for a larger footprint regarding chicken placement. Staff is comfortable with these changes and feels it will
offer more flexibility while minimizing impacts to neighboring properties.
The planning commission held a public hearing on July 27 and did not receive any public comment. After
discussion, the planning commission was supportive and asked staff to review: the height of the coop with
the idea of cleaning being difficult for taller individuals; clarify how corner lot setbacks would work; and
consider allowing mobile chicken coops/runs. Staff reviewed these three areas and made adjustments, as
Staff felt was appropriate.
The proposed schedule for this ordinance and applicant process is as follows:
Planning Commission Public Hearing: July 27, 2020
First Reading: August 4, 2020
Second Reading: August 18, 2020
Date of Publication/Ordinance Takes Effect: August 27, 2020
Primary Issues to Consider
Whether to allow chickens in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Whether the ordinance provided would properly regulate chickens in single-family neighborhoods.
Supporting Documents
Proposed Ordinance 2020-1156
Zoning Map
Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager
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CITY OF HOPKINS
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-1156
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE
HOPKINS CITY CODE REGARDING CHICKENS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Hopkins City Code, Part II, Chapter 6, Article II, Section 6 -1 is hereby amended
by adding the double-underlined language and deleting the stricken language as follows:
Sec. 6-1. – Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Animal means any warm-blooded mammal, inclusive of, but not limited to, dogs and cats, as well
as any reptiles or birds. The term "animal" does not include non-domesticated animals.
Animal control authority means the city police department.
Animal shelter means premises designated by the council for the purpose of caring for animals
impounded pursuant to this chapter.
Butchering means to slaughter or cut up (an animal) for food.
Chicken means a domesticated fowl of the genus Gallus or species G. Gallus.
Chicken coop means an enclosed structure used for the housing of chickens.
Chicken run means an enclosed outside yard for the keeping and exercising of chickens.
Dangerous animal as defined by state law.
Dog at-large or running at-large means a dog not on the owner's premises and not under restraint.
Dwelling unit has the meaning provided in section 102-4.
Farm animal means an animal that is normally found on a farm, ranch or stable. Such animals
include, but are not limited to, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and swine, and chickens.
Harvesting means the slaughtering of chickens.
Hen means a female chicken.
Non-domesticated animal means any wild animal, reptile or fowl that is not naturally tame or
gentle but is of a wild nature or disposition and which, because of its size, vicious nature or other
characteristics would constitute a danger to human life or property.
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Other poultry means domesticated fowls, such as turkeys, geese and ducks excluding chickens.
Owner means a person who owns, keeps or harbors an animal.
Potentially dangerous animal means as defined by state law.
Premises means a building, structure, shelter or land where a dog or other animal is kept or
confined.
Rooster means a male chicken.
Tag means the license tag required under this chapter.
Under restraint means on a leash of not more than six feet in length and in the custody of a person
of sufficient age to adequately control the dog; in a vehicle, or on the owner's property.
SECTION 2. Hopkins City Code, Part II, Chapter 6, Article II is hereby amended by adding the
double-underlined language as follows:
Sec. 6-30. – Chicken licenses.
(a) Purpose. The purpose and intent of sections 6-30 through 6-32 is to permit the keeping of
chickens in certain residential areas in a manner that is clean and sanitary and unlikely to
become a nuisance or otherwise become detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare
of the community. These sections are intended to only allow hens pursuant to the
requirements contained herein and the keeping or harboring of roosters and other poultry
is expressly prohibited.
(b) License required. No person may keep, harbor, maintain, care for, or control chickens in
the City without a license issued pursuant to this section. Chicken licenses may only be
issued to persons located in requesting to keep chickens in the City’s R -1 zoning districts
(R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-1-D, R-1-E).
(c) Application for license. A person applying for a chicken license must supply the
information required on a City-provided license application, which shall include, but not
necessarily be limited to, the number of chickens to be kept, dimensions and materials of a
chicken coop and/or chicken run, a site plan showing the location of a proposed chicken
coop and/or chicken run in relation to other existing structures and lot lines, and a written
plan for keeping the premises clean and free of waste material, objectionable odors, and
predators. For non-homesteaded properties, written permission from the owner of the
property must also be submitted with any license application.
(d) License fee. A license fee may be established by the City and included in the City’s fee
schedule, and said fee must be paid at the time of making application.
(e) License issuance; term. A license may be issued by the City if all requirements of the
Hopkins City Code are deemed satisfied and will remain satisfied upon the issuance of the
license under the circumstances proposed. A license shall be valid for two years and a
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renewal application must be submitted by a licensee at least 30 days prior to license
expiration to ensure no lapse in licensure.
Sec. 6-31. – Proper confinement, care and maintenance of chickens.
(a) Chicken requirements. In addition to obtaining a license, all chicken owners within the City
shall adhere to the following requirements:
(1) Only hens may be may kept, harbored, maintained, cared for, or controlled in the
City. The keeping, harboring, maintaining, caring for, or controlling of roosters or
any other poultry is prohibited under all circumstances.
(2) The maximum number of chickens allowed shall comply with the information
detailed in the table below.
Maximum Number of Chickens Allowed in Residential Districts
District Number of Chickens Allowed4
R-1-A &
R-1-B
2 plus 1 additional Chicken for every 4,356 square
feet of lot area over 6,000 square feet (maximum of
4).
R-1-C 3 plus 1 additional Chicken for every 4,356 square
feet of lot area over 12,000 square feet (maximum of
4).
R-1-D & R-1-E 4
(3) Chickens must at all times remain confined on the premises and in a chicken coop
and/or chicken run located in the property’s rear yard, as that term is defined in
Hopkins City Code, section 102-4.
(4) Chickens may not be located in any part of a dwelling, garage, or any other
accessory structure other than a chicken coop or chicken run, except that chickens
under the age of six weeks may be temporarily kept indoors for brooding purposes.
(5) Licensees must provide City staff with access to the premises at any time requested
to verify compliance with the City’s chicken regulations or in response to any
complaint of a violation.
(6) The harvesting or butchering of chickens on the premises is prohibited.
(7) Selling chickens or chicken eggs on the premises is prohibited.
(8) No chickens may be kept or raised in a manner as to cause injury or annoyance to
persons or other animals on other properties in the vicinity of the premises, whether
due to noise, odor, filth, or otherwise.
(9) All grain and food stored for the use of the chickens shall be kept in rodent-proof
and leak-proof containers with tight-fitting covers.
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(10) Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary
condition, and in good repair. Flies, rodents and objectionable odors shall be
contained.
(11) Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be kept free of accumulated fecal matter and
all collected fecal material shall be bagged and properly disposed of at least once a
week. Stored fecal matter must be kept in a leak-proof container with a tight-fitting
cover until removal from the premises.
(12) Chicken feces, discarded chicken feed, and dead chickens shall not be composted.
(b) Chicken coop requirements. All chicken coops in the City shall adhere to the following
requirements:
(1) Must be constructed to adequately keep chickens in and predators out. A coop shall be
fully enclosed and wind proof with a well-ventilated roof to prevent escape by chickens
or entrance by migratory birds and rodents.
(2) Must have a maximum size of ten (10) square feet and must not exceed six feet (7') in
total height.
(3) Be screened from view by a fence or landscaped buffer with a minimum height of
four (4) feet. A fence shall require a separate permit consistent with the standards in
Section 102-13. Landscaping may consist of shrubs or trees but shall provide a
minimum 50 percent opacity screen when planted.
(4) Provide adequate protection from the elements and be able to be winterized. Heaters
are strictly prohibited.
(5) Be located in the rear yard of the premises and shall be setback at least five (5) feet
from any on-site or adjacent residential structure or business and conform with the
property line setbacks detailed in the table below.
(6) May be made mobile, but must meet all requirements of this section at all times and.
must be returned to their proper location while unattended or after sunset.
(c) Chicken run requirements. All chicken runs in the City shall adhere to the following
requirements:
(1) Must not exceed twenty (20) square feet and fencing must not exceed six feet (7') in total
height.
Chicken Coop Minimum Setback Requirements
District Setback from all property lines
R-1-A &
R-1-B
10 Feet from a side (including corner lots) or
rear property line.
3 feet from a rear property line abutting an alley.
R-1-C 15 Feet
R-1-D &
R-1-E
20 Feet
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(2) Must be enclosed with fencing, weather resistant/green treated wood and/or sealed with a
weather resistant product and/or woven wire materials, and may allow chickens to
contact the ground.
(3) Must have a protective overhead netting to keep the chickens separated from other animals.
(4) A fence permit may be required pursuant to Hopkins City Code, Section 102-13.
(5) Must be located in the rear yard of the premises and shall be setback at least five (5) feet
from any on-site or adjacent residential structure or business and conform with the property
line detailed in the table below.
Chicken Run Minimum Setback Requirements
District Setback from all property lines
R-1-A &
R-1-B
10 Feet from a side (including corner lots) or rear
property line.
3 feet from a rear property line abutting an alley.
R-1-C 15 Feet
R-1-D &
R-1-E
20 Feet
(6) May be made mobile, but must meet all requirements of this section at all times and. must
be returned to their proper location while unattended or after sunset.
Sec. 6-32. – Revocation; denial.
(a) A license applied for or issued under section 6-30 may be denied or revoked for any of the
following reasons:
(1) The licensee has violated any regulation or provision of this code applicable to the
keeping, harboring, maintaining, caring for, or controlling of chickens.
(2) The licensee has failed to continuously comply with any conditions attached to the
license.
(3) The licensee has been convicted of any crime in any jurisdiction that relates to the
mistreatment of or cruelty toward animals.
(b) The city council may revoke a license at any time after giving the licensee at least seven
days' notice by registered mail at the licensee's address shown on the license application,
or, if no address is shown, at the licensee's last-known address. The notice shall state the
intention of the council to revoke the license and the reasons, and it shall give the licensee
an opportunity to appear before the council at a date certain for the purpose of being heard
with regard to the revocation.
SECTION 3. Hopkins City Code, Appendix A, which contains the City’s fee schedule, is hereby
amended by adding the double-underlined language as follows:
LICENCE FEES
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Chicken License $150.00 Initial Term or any changes requiring site
plan review and re-inspection
Chicken License Re-Inspection $60.00 Re-inspection
Chicken License Renewal $30.00 Renewal – No changes.
SECTION 4. In accordance with Section 3.03 of the City Charter and Minn. Stat. § 412.191,
subd. 4, due to the significant length of this Ordinance, City staff shall have the following summary
printed in the official City newspaper in lieu of the complete ordinance:
On August 18, 2020, the Hopkins City Council adopted Ordinance 2020-1156 that amends
Chapter 6 of the Hopkins City Code. The purpose of amending the City Code is to allow
for the chickens in single-family residential neighborhoods in the city. Council received
requests earlier this year regarding chickens and asked staff to review the issue. By adding
language regarding chickens, to our City Code, residents in single-family residential
neighborhoods would have the option to have chickens on their property with certain
restrictions and regulations.
A printed copy of the ordinance is available for inspection during regular business hours at
Hopkins City Hall and is available online at the City’s web site located at
www.hopkinsmn.com.
SECTION 5. The effective date of this ordinance shall be the date of publication.
First Reading: August 4, 2020
Second Reading: August 18, 2020
Date of Publication: August 27, 2020
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: August 27, 2020
By: ____________________________
Jason Gadd, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
R-2
R-1-D
R-1-E
INS
R-1-C
BP
BP
B-1
R-6
R-4 PUD
BP
I-2
I-2
I-1
I-2
BP
R-1-B
INS
INS
R-1-D
R-1-C
R-1-D
I-1
R-4
R-5
B-4
I-2
R-2
R-1-A
R-1-A
INS
I-2
R-!-B
B-3
R-1-A
R-4
R-4
I-2
I-2
I-1
INS
INSB-2
R-1-C
R-3 R-4
B-4
R-3 R-1-D
INS R-1-A
B-1
R-2
B-3
B-3
R-2
R-4 PUD
B-3
B-4
R-4
R-1-C
R-4
B-3
R-1-C
R-4
B-3
R-1-A
I-2
R-4
R-4
R-3B-3
B-3B-3
B-3
R-5
I-1
I-1
R-1-A
R-4
B-2
B-3
B-3
B-3
R-4
R-3
R-1-C
R-1-CR-2
R-2
B-3
B-3
B-3
R-4
R-4
B-1
I-2
B-1
R-5R-5
R-4
R-3
R-1-C
B-4
TextR-2
Closed Landfill Restricted
BP
BP
City of Hopkins Zoning Map
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ZONING DISTRICTS
R-1-A Single and Two Family Hig h Density
R-1-B Single Family High Density
R-1-C Single Family Medium Density
R-1-D Single Family Low Density
R-1-E Single Family Low Density
R-2 Low Density Multiple Family
R-3 Medium Density Multiple Family
R-4 Medium High Density Multiple Family
R-4 PUD
R-5 High Density Multiple Family
R-6 Medium Density Multiple Family
B-1 Limited Business
B-2 Central Business
B-3 General Business
B-4 Neighborhood Business
Business Park
Institutional
I-1 Industrial
I-2 General Industrial
Mixed Use
Closed Landfill Restricted (CLR)