Torrance Municipal Code Art. 14 Keeping of Hens

The keeping of hens will be permitted on land which is used as a single-family residence provided:

a) A special animal permit for keeping hens must first have been issued by the Director of Community Development, pursuant to reasonable rules for application as may be established, and subject to any conditions imposed.

b) There will be a maximum of no more than four (4) hens per property.

c) The hens will be properly housed and cared for to ensure healthy hens and a safe and sanitary environment.

d) Hens will be kept in a chicken coop or in any cage or other enclosure situated in the rear yard of the property and no nearer than fifteen (15) feet from the rear property line, and no nearer than ten (10) feet from a side property line, and if such structures do not preempt the required open space and land coverage requirements.

e) Hens and all activities related to the keeping of hens will be limited to the rear yard of the property, and the hens will not be allowed to run at large unattended.

f) Any chicken coop or cage or other enclosure in which hens are kept will be maintained and cleaned on a regular basis to ensure a sanitary environment. The chicken coop or cage or other enclosure will not exceed sixty (60) square feet in size.

g) The rear yard area and all other areas related to the keeping of hens will be maintained and cleaned on a regular basis to ensure a clean and sanitary environment, and prevent nuisances. The accumulation of manure and debris is unlawful and a public nuisance.

h) The miscellaneous activities related to the keeping of hens, such as storing feed, straw, or wood shavings, will be conducted in such a manner to prevent the attraction or perpetuation of bacteria, disease, pests, and vermin.

i) Unhealthy and/or diseased hens will be provided with immediate medical attention to prevent the spread of disease and sickness. Severely unhealthy and/or diseased hens will be properly disposed of, in accordance with all applicable City, County, and State laws, guidelines, and requirements. Keeping unhealthy and/or diseased hens is unlawful and a public nuisance.

j) In the event complaints are received concerning the manner of keeping the hens, health or safety hazards caused by the hens or the activities related to the keeping of hens, or a nuisance caused by the hens, the matter will be reviewed by the Director of the Community Development Department, and the special animal permit will be subject to either modification, abatement as provided for in Section 41.1.3, and/or revocation.

k) Roosters are farm type animals and will not be considered as pets. The keeping of roosters is unlawful and a public nuisance.

a) An application for a special animal permit for keeping hens pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 1 of this Division must be filed with the Community Development Director on a form provided by the Community Development Director with the applicable fee. The form must be fully completed and executed and returned to the Community Development Department. The application must include the following:

1. Complete applicant information including address, telephone number, and e-mail address;

2. Scaled plot plan indicating all site improvements and the location of proposed coop;

3. Details of the coop itself, including dimensions.

If all requirements of this Article are satisfied, the Community Development Director will issue a special animal permit within thirty (30) days of the filing of the application. If a special animal permit is not issued, the Community Development Director will notify the applicant in writing.

The Community Development Director may revoke a special animal permit for keeping hens upon notice and hearing for any violation of this Article.

a) The keeping of hens is unlawful and a public nuisance when any of the following occurs:

1. When the keeping of hens creates objectionable odors, noises, or hazards pursuant to Section 41.1.2(b); or

2. When the chicken coop or cage or other enclosure in which hens are kept and/or the rear yard area and all other areas related to the keeping of hens are not maintained and cleaned on a regular basis, resulting in a dirty and unsanitary environment; or

3. Unattended and/or unsupervised hens running at large; or

4. Unhealthy and/or diseased hens.

b) If it is determined that a nuisance exists, the special animal permit for keeping hens may be modified, may be subject to abatement per Section 41.1.3, or revoked per Section 41.14.040.

c) It is unlawful and declared a public nuisance for any person to violate any provision of this Article. Any person in violation will be subject to civil action and/or criminal prosecution. Each day in which a violation is committed will constitute a new and separate offense. In addition, the keeping of hens considered a public nuisance may be abated or summarily abated by the City in any manner by this Code or otherwise by law for the abatement of public nuisances. Pursuant to Government Code Section 38773, all expenses incurred by the City in connection with any action to abate a public nuisance will be chargeable to the persons creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public nuisance.