Keeping Chickens & Fowl in Clarksburg

Chickens in the City

There are several city ordinances that apply to the keeping of Chickens in the City of Clarksburg. Below are a list of some applicable ordinances for your reference:

How Many Can I Keep?

The number of domestic fowl kept on any premises cannot exceed 20.

Can I Keep a Rooster?

Yes. The city ordinance permitting the keeping of fowl does not limit you to the keeping of hens only. However, while you can keep roosters, you may find that their crowing can violate the city noise ordinance if the noise disturbs your neighbors.

Noises

The following acts are declared to be loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises in violation of Section 527.03, but such enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive, namely: 

  1. Animals and Birds. The keeping of any animal or bird by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity.

What Am I Required to Provide for My Chickens?

No person shall keep or cause to be kept on premises owned by him or under or subject to his control, any kind of domestic fowl or pigeons within thirty feet of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation, or assemblage, whether such structure is in the same or an adjacent block or square.

Perches and Nests

All perches shall be movable and kept clean. All Chicken nests shall be movable and clean, and aired and sunned at frequent intervals.

Cleaning

The house in which such fowl or pigeons are kept shall be dry, well ventilated and with windows so placed, if possible, to admit sunlight; it shall be kept whitewashed within and shall be cleaned:

Between November 1 and May 1 at least once a week
Between May 1 and November 1 at least twice a week

and more often if necessary or so ordered by the Health Director.

Food and Drink

Drinking fountains shall be clean and supplied at all proper times with clean water. 

The Yard

The surface of the yard shall be kept clean and free from all decaying animal or vegetable matter or odors; provided, that nothing herein shall apply to such fowl or pigeons confined in coops in provision stores or stores regularly established for the sale of fowl or pigeons or to fowl or pigeons brought upon the premises and kept for a brief period for dressing and consumption.

Can I Cull My Own Chickens?

The City of Clarksburg does not have any ordinances that prevent you from slaughtering your own chickens for meat, however there are state regulations and county health ordinances that may limit or regulate how you process your chickens and what you can do with them after being processed. Please consult with the State's Department of Agriculture Commissioner's office for more information.

Can I Sell My Chicken's Eggs?

The City of Clarksburg does not have any ordinances that prevent you from selling or distributing your chicken's eggs, however there are state regulations and county health ordinances that may limit or regulate how you sell those eggs.

You can learn more about the laws and restrictions governing being a Small Egg Producer on the WV Department of Agriculture's website.

Contact:

STEPHEN COCKRELL
Animal Control Officer
City of Clarksburg
scockrell@cityofclarksburgwv.com
Phone: (304) 624-1653