Chicken Policies and Guidelines Edit page

Residential Chicken Policies, Guidelines, Fees, and Fines:

Price Hills Residential HOA and The Village at Elk Ridge Major Subdivision

Lots 15-155,157-214, and 216-264

Lot Owners wishing to keep chickens shall comply with the following Chicken Policies and Guidelines.

Article 1

Definition of Chicken

The use of the word "Chicken(s)" means to refer to the domesticated Gallus Domesticus and its variety of breeds.

Article 2

Number

Any Owner may have up to a maximum of six (6) total Chickens per Lot. 

Ex: Owner owns two (2) neighboring Lots. Owner may have twelve (12) chickens if Chicken Enclosure is on both Lots.

Article 3

Specific Standards for Chickens

a. No male Chickens(roosters) are permitted.

b. No Chickens may run at large within the Subdivision. All Chickens must be contained within the Owner's property boundary and be contained within either the chicken house and/or enclosure.

c. The Owner must provide the Chickens with a covered, predator proof Chicken house that is thoroughly ventilated, of sufficient size to admit free movement of the chickens. The Chicken house must be adjacent to and provide free access to the Chicken's enclosure.

Any heat source or electrical facilities installed in the chicken house must comply with all adopted buildings codes within the State of Montana.

d. The Owner will provide the chickens with a predator-proof enclosure of sufficient size to admit free movement of the Chickens. Chicken enclosures may be moveable but must be anchored from the effects of wind. Chickens may not roam freely on any property.

e. Chickens will be secured within the Chicken house from sunset to sunrise.

f. Chicken enclosures and houses must be kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all items and must be cleaned on a regular basis so as to prevent offensive odors.

g. Chickens will have continuous access to adequate food and water.

h. Stored feed must be kept in a rodent and predator-proof container.

i. Chickens will be maintained in a healthy condition. All Chickens will either receive appropriate medical care or be culled.

j. No chicken house will be located closer than twenty (20) feet to any structure inhabited by someone other than the chicken owner, custodian or keeper, and not closer than twenty (20) feet to any property line. Chicken houses may be moveable but must comply with all standards of this section and be anchored from the effects of wind.

k. No chicken will be kept in a manner so as to create noxious odors or noise of a loud, persistent and habitual nature.

l. Chicken waste will be routinely disposed of by the owner using landfill facilities, sanitation services, or in another appropriate manner at the first available opportunity. 

m. No chickens will be slaughtered within the public view. Deceased chickens will not be left out in the open elements or left to decompose on the property.

n. Escaped chickens will be located and returned by the owner at the first opportunity.

o. Homeowners with chickens that continuously escape their enclosures could face restrictions including loss of the opportunity to keep chickens at their residence.

Article 4

Checklist for Submittal to Board/Committee

All submissions to the Board/Committee shall be submitted via the www.pricehillshoa.com website. The application is not deemed complete until all documents are confirmed received and the Administration Fees are paid. The following information is required for a complete application.

1. Call or email the Price Hills Residential HOA office at (406) 285-8981 & [email protected] to acquire your list of resident adjoiners, including those adjacent across a common area roadway, to the property listed on the chicken keeping permit application. The staff in the HOA’s office will be happy to assist you.
2. Assemble your completed and signed Notification to Adjacent Residence(s) For the Keeping of Chickens Form and then deliver the Notification to each adjacent residence, leave a copy of this completed and signed form with the adjacent resident(s) and have each resident sign the Acknowledgement of Notification Form. Adjacent resident(s) decision to protest the application should be noted in the space provided on the Acknowledgement Form.
3. Include a Site Plan identifying the property boundaries, the location of all structures on the property and distances between said structures and between the property boundaries. The sketch must also indicate the location(s) of the chicken enclosure and chicken house. A chicken coop and accompanying enclosure must be spaced at least 5 feet from any property line AND at least 20 feet from an inhabited dwelling other than that of the applicant.
4. Include a description of the enclosure and chicken house and cubic footage(s).  Full description of type and color of all exterior materials. A visual picture or link to product is advised.
5. The name, address, and signed statement of the property owner, if different from the applicant, consenting to the keeping of chickens on the property [IF APPLICABLE]

COMPLETE AND SIGN ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and submit with fee payment.

Application Site*link

Chicken Application Fee *link

Article 5

After Submission

1. Once the application is submitted, along with any necessary permission, and fee the Board/Committee will review the application for conformance with these covenants. The Board/Committee will either reject, approve, or determine if changes must be made to the enclosure or chicken house, or require mitigation for the impact to adjacent properties, such as fencing or other screening. If changes must be made to the Design, the Lot Owner must comply with those changes. A person aggrieved by a decision of the Board/Committee may appeal to the Board who will review all applicable information and issue a decision on the appeal.
2. Approval of a Design is specific to the Lot Owner and the location of the approval. A person wishing to move chickens to a different property will obtain new approval. A new resident who desires to keep chickens must resubmit for approval only if there is a change to the location of the enclosure or location of the chicken house.
3. Approval of the chickens and structures authorized the Lot Owner to keep the number of chickens in the manner described on the application. Any significant change to the manner of keeping said chickens will require a new application and approval.
4. Nothing in this section will prevent the Board from requiring an inspection of a Lot prior to or after issuance of approval for chickens.
5. Changes to the standards contained in these Policies and Guidelines will require any Lot Owner to comply with any new standard, regulation, or condition.

Article 6

Fees

A $100 Administrative Fee will be required for Applications to be processed.

This is a one-time fee and will not be required again unless another application is required.

All Fees are nontransferable.

Once the application has been received, up to 25% of the Admin Fees is nonrefundable on all applications.

Once the application has been processed, the Admin Fee is nonrefundable.

The Board and any subsequently created Committees for Chicken Enforcement reserves the right to amend the Fees.

Chicken Application Fee *link

Article 7

Fine Structure

The following fines will be used to enforce compliance with the Chicken Policies and Guidelines.  The Board and any subsequently created Committees for Chicken Enforcement reserves the right to amend the Fines.

Non-Approval Fine

Owner is found to have chickens without approval from Board/Committee:

-1 warning letter will be sent to Owner via email

If the Owner has not applied and come into compliance after 1 week:

-Owner will be fined $1,000

and

-Chickens must be removed from the property.

Violation of Any Chicken Policies or Guidelines

-1 warning letter will be sent to Owner via email

If the Owner has not come into compliance after 1 week:

-Owner will be fined $500 for every week of non-compliance

If the Owner has not come into compliance after 3 weeks:

-Chickens must be removed from the property

Refer to Policies and Procedures Regarding Assessment Collection, Delinquency, Liens, and Foreclosure Actions *link if Owner Fails to pay assessed fines or interest on accounts.