Citizens may obtain a domesticated chicken permit for $10.00 starting Monday, October 3, 2022. Each permit is valid for a period of one (1) year starting January 1 through December 31 and must be renewed yearly. 

The ordinance includes the following rules:

If the subject property is not owned by the applicant (per Calhoun County Tax Assessor records), a letter of permission must be issued by the property owner that states that the property owner approves for domesticated chickens to be allowed at this location. 

Requirements for permit: 

• Site drawing that lists distances to all adjacent buildings, including neighboring structures. 
• May keep up to six (6) hens on residential property with a single-family dwelling. 
• A person may keep an additional chicken for each 2,000 sq. ft. that the permitted location exceeds 10,000 sq. ft, with a maximum of twenty (20) domesticated at any one permitted location. 
• No roosters, or fowl other than hens, are allowed; except for, exotic birds maintained in a cage as pets or novelties. 
• The hen coop must be kept at least twenty (20) feet from neighboring residences of different parcels and always kept in a covered enclose or fenced area. 
• The hens, coop, and run must be well maintained so that they do not violate the City’s nuisance code for noise, odor, damage, or threats to public safety. 
• Each permit is valid for a period of one (1) year starting January 1 through December 31 and must be renewed yearly.