Ordinance No. 5035

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2022-11-10)

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ORDINANCE NO. 5035 
 
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANDLER, 
ARIZONA, 
DECLARING 
THAT 
DOCUMENT 
ENTITLED 
“2022 
AMENDMENTS TO CHANDLER CITY CODE CHAPTERS 14 AND 35” TO 
BE A PUBLIC RECORD; AMENDING CHAPTER 14 SECTIONS 14-1, 14-3, 
14-8, 14-14; ADDING A NEW ARTICLE III TO CHAPTER 14; AND 
AMENDING CHAPTER 35 ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS OF THE CITY CODE 
OF THE CITY OF CHANDLER, RELATING TO RAISING CHICKENS IN 
RESIDENTIAL BACKYARDS.   
 
WHEREAS, Chapter 14 of the Chandler City Code provides for the regulation of animals within 
the City of Chandler; and 
 
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to allow Chandler residents to raise chickens in single-family 
residential backyards, subject to reasonable regulations to protect the health, safety, and welfare 
of the residents of the City; and 
 
WHEREAS, in accordance with Chandler City Code Section 2.15, the Chandler City Council may 
amend the code by adoption of an ordinance; and 
 
WHEREAS, in accordance with A.R.S. 9-462, the Chandler City Council may adopt by ordinance 
any change or amendment to the regulations and provisions set forth in the Chandler Zoning Code 
(Chapter 35); and 
 
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held by the Planning and Zoning Commission as required by 
the Chandler Zoning Code, on October 19, 2022. 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Chandler, Arizona, 
as follows: 
 
Section 1.  
That certain document known as the “2022 Amendments to Chandler City Code 
Chapters 14 and 35,” one paper copy and one electronic copy of which shall remain 
on file in the Office of the City Clerk, a copy of which is attached to this Ordinance 
as Exhibit A, is hereby declared to be a public record.  
 
Section 2.  
That the Chandler City Code is hereby amended by adoption of the amendments 
contained in the “2022 Amendments to Chandler City Code Chapters 14 and 35.” 
 
Section 3.   
Providing for Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances.   
 
 
 
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this 
ordinance, or any parts hereof, are hereby repealed.

Ordinance No. 5035 
Page 2 
Section 4. 
Providing for Severability. 
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is 
for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of 
competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining 
portions thereof. 
INTRODUCED AND TENTATIVELY APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Chandler, 
Arizona, this _____ day of November, 2022. 
ATTEST: 
_______________________________________ 
____________________________________ 
CITY CLERK  
MAYOR 
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chandler, Arizona, this _____ day 
of November, 2022. 
ATTEST: 
_______________________________________ 
____________________________________ 
CITY CLERK  
MAYOR 
CERTIFICATION 
I, HEREBY CERTIFY, that the above and foregoing Ordinance No. 5035 was duly passed and 
adopted by the City Council of the City of Chandler, Arizona, at a regular meeting held on the 
_____ day of November, 2022, and that a quorum was present thereat. 
____________________________________ 
CITY CLERK 
APPROVED AS TO FORM: 
____________________________ 
CITY ATTORNEY  
Published in the Arizona Republic on:

EXHIBIT A 
 
2022 Code Amendments to Chandler City Code Chapters 14 and 35 
{Public Record for Ordinance No. 5035} 
 
Chapter 14 of the Chandler City Code is hereby amended as follows (additions in ALL CAPS, 
deletions in strikeout): 
 
14-1. Definitions. 
 
For the purposes of this article CHAPTER the following words and phrases shall have the 
meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:  
 
CHICKEN IS A COMMON DOMESTIC FOWL BELONGING TO THE BIOLOGICAL ORDER 
GALLUS GALLUS DOMESTICUS THAT IS EITHER YOUNGER THAN SIX MONTHS IN 
AGE OR A HEN (FEMALE ADULT). FOR PURPOSES OF THIS CHAPTER, A ROOSTER IS 
NOT CONSIDERED A CHICKEN. 
 
FOWL IS A BIRD BELONGING TO THE BIOLOGICAL ORDER GAMEFOWL OR 
LANDFOWL (GALLIFORMES) OR WATERFOWL (ANSERIFORMES). 
 
Owner is any person, group of persons or corporation owning, keeping or harboring an animal.  
 
ROOSTER IS AN ADULT MALE CHICKEN. 
 
(Ord. No. 201; Ord. No. 329, § 1; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 4722, § I, 11-7-16) 
 
14-2. Poisonous snakes and reptiles prohibited. 
 
It shall be unlawful within the City to keep any poisonous reptile or poisonous snake.  
 
(Ord. No. 274; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-3. Consent required to keep animals within two hundred feet of residences; exceptions as 
to household pets. 
 
No animal or fowl of any kind, except household pets AND CHICKENS KEPT IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 3 OF THIS CHAPTER, shall be kept or permitted in the City 
within a distance of two hundred (200) feet from the residence of any person, except the owner of 
the animal or fowl, or except the residence of any person who shall sign a written consent that the 
animals or fowl may be kept within such distance of their residence.  
 
(Ord. No. 274; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99)

14-4. Exceptions as to veterinary hospitals. 
 
There shall be excepted from the preceding and following sections household pets being cared for 
by a veterinarian in a regularly established veterinary hospital.  
 
(Ord. No. 274; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-5. Keeping pets for sale in business district. 
 
Nothing in sections 14-2 through 14-4 shall prohibit the keeping of pets for sale in a business 
district properly zoned for such sale.  
 
(Ord. No. 274; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-6. Cruelty to animals. 
 
Whenever any person drives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, 
deprives of necessary sustenance, cruelly beats, mutilates, cruelly kicks or causes or procures an 
animal to be overdriven, overloaded, overworked, tortured or tormented, deprived of necessary 
sustenance, cruelly beaten, mutilated or killed, and whoever having the charge or custody of any 
animal, either as owner or otherwise, inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon it, or unnecessarily fails to 
provide it with proper food, drink, shelter or protection from the weather, shall be guilty of a 
misdemeanor.  
 
(Ord. No. 1, Tit. 12, § 12; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-7. Keeping hogs, donkeys, roosters, etc. 
 
It shall be unlawful for any person to have, herd, or keep any hog, pig, shoat, jack, jenny, burro, 
donkey, or rooster, within the City.  
 
(Ord. No. 1, Tit. 11, § 13; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-8. Animals at large. 
 
Any person owning or having under his/her control or charge any animal or fowl, WITH THE 
EXCEPTION OF CHICKENS, who shall permit such animal or fowl to run at large or trespass 
upon property owned or possessed by another or in or upon any street, alley or other public place 
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.  
 
(Ord. No. 1, Tit. 11, § 14; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99)

14-9. Reserved. 
 
Note(s)—Superseded by Ordinance No. 329, see § 4-15 et seq. Currently § 14-15 et seq.  
 
14-10. [Reserved.] 
 
Editor's note(s)—Ord. No. 3730, § 5, adopted Nov. 14, 2005, repealed § 14-10, which pertained 
to barking, etc., dogs. See also the Code Comparative Table.  
 
14-11. Duty upon injury to animals by motor vehicles. 
 
Any person who knowingly injures a canine, feline or other domestic animal while in operation of 
a motor vehicle, shall take reasonable steps to locate the owner thereof, and shall render to such 
injured animal reasonable assistance. 
  
(Ord. No. 201, § 11; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-12. Poisoning animals. 
 
Every person who wilfully WILLFULLY administers any poison to a cat, dog or domestic animal, 
the property of another, or exposes any poisonous substance or substances where the same may be 
available to any child, dog, cat, or domestic animal shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.  
 
(Ord. No. 201, § 12; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-13. Abandoning animals. 
 
Every owner who shall abandon an animal or shall permit the same to be in any building, inclosure 
ENCLOSURE, lane, street, road, highway, acreage, or desert area without proper care and 
attention shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.  
 
(Ord. No. 201, § 13; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-14. Enforcement of article CHAPTER. 
 
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Chief of Police of the City. THE CITY 
MANAGER SHALL DESIGNATE ONE OR MORE CITY DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE 
FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CHAPTER. THE CITY MANAGER’S DESIGNATION 
SHALL DECLARE WHICH ARTICLES OF THIS CHAPTER ARE TO BE ENFORCED BY 
THE DESIGNATED DEPARTMENT.  
 
(Ord. No. 201, § 9; Ord. No. 329, § 1; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99)

ARTICLE II. DOGS 
 
 
14-15. Definitions. 
 
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:  
 
Animal means a dog or any animal of a species that is susceptible to rabies, except man.  
 
At large means on or off-premises of owner and not under control of owner or other persons acting 
for the owner. Any dog in a suitable enclosure or confined shall not be considered to be running 
at large.  
 
Cruelly restrains means attaching a dog to a stationary object or a pulley by means of a chain, 
rope, tether, leash, cable or similar restraint under circumstances that may endanger its health, 
safety or well-being; or otherwise unreasonably limiting the dog's movements by use of a collar 
and restraint that causes the dog to choke; or does not permit the dog to reach food, water, shade, 
dry ground; or does not permit the dog to escape harm.  
 
Custodian means any person keeping, possessing, harboring or maintaining any dog.  
 
Department means the State Department of Health Services.  
 
Enforcement Agent means that person in each County who is responsible for the enforcement of 
this article and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  
 
Extreme weather conditions means the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees 
Fahrenheit or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit; or a heat advisory has been issued by a local, state or 
national authority for the area; or a monsoon, hurricane, tropical storm, dust storm or tornado 
warning has been issued for the area by a local, state or national authority.  
 
Impound means the act of taking or receiving into custody by the Enforcement Agency any dog or 
other animal for the purpose of confinement in an authorized pound in accordance with the 
provisions of this article.  
 
Kennel means an enclosed, controlled area, inaccessible to other animals, in which a person keeps, 
harbors or maintains five (5) or more dogs under controlled conditions.  
 
Livestock means neat animals, horses, sheep, goats, swine, mules and asses.  
Owner means any person, group of persons or corporation/business owning, keeping or harboring 
a dog.  
Pound means any establishment authorized for the confinement, maintenance, safekeeping and 
control of dogs and other animals that come into the custody of the enforcement agent in the 
performance of his/her official duties.  
 
Rabies quarantine area means any area in which a state of emergency has been declared to exist 
due to the occurrence of rabies in animals in or adjacent to this area.

Rabies vaccination certificate means a method of recording and duplicating rabies information 
that is in compliance with the County Enforcement Agent's licensing system and/or County 
Enforcement Agent's prescribed forms.  
 
Stray dog means any dog four (4) months of age or older running at large that is not wearing a 
valid license tag.  
 
Vaccination means the administration of an anti-rabies vaccine to animals by a veterinarian, or in 
authorized pounds by employees trained by a veterinarian. 
  
Veterinarian, unless otherwise indicated, means any veterinarian licensed to practice in this State 
or any veterinarian employed in this State by a governmental agency.  
 
Veterinary hospital means any establishment operated by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this 
State that provides clinical facilities and houses animals or birds for dental, medical or surgical 
treatment. A veterinary hospital may have adjacent to it or in conjunction with it or as an integral 
part of it, pens, stalls, cages or kennels for quarantine, observation or boarding.  
 
Vicious animal means any animal other than an animal used by a law enforcement agency, that:  
 
(a) Has a propensity to bite, scratch or otherwise inflict injury on a human being or an animal 
owned by another person without provocation. One (1) incident of causing injury may be 
sufficient to establish a propensity; or  
 
(b) Has a propensity to approach human beings without provocation in a menacing or 
terrorizing manner so as to confine the movement of or instill fear in a reasonable person; 
and 
  
(c) Is declared vicious after a hearing before a justice of the peace or a City Magistrate.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 1864, § 1, 8-20-87; Ord. No. 
3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 3836, § 1, 10-23-06; Ord. No. 4722, § II, 11-7-16) 
 
14-16. Powers and duties of the State Veterinarian and Livestock Board. 
 
A. The State Veterinarian shall designate the type or types of anti-rabies vaccines that may be 
used for vaccination of animals, the period of time between vaccination and revaccination, and the 
dosage and method of administration of the vaccine.  
B. The Arizona Livestock Board shall regulate the handling and disposition of animals classed as 
livestock that have been bitten by a rabid or suspected rabid animal or are showing symptoms 
suggestive of rabies.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99)

14-17. Powers and duties of State Department of Health Services. 
 
A. The State Department of Health Services shall regulate the handling and disposition of animals 
other than livestock that have been bitten by a rabid or suspected rabid animal, or are showing 
symptoms suggestive of rabies.  
 
B. The State Department of Health Services may require the enforcement agent to submit a record 
of all dog licenses issued, and in addition any information deemed necessary to aid in the control 
of rabies.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-18. Powers and duties of Enforcement Agent. 
 
A. The Enforcement Agent shall:  
 
1. Enforce the provisions of this article; the regulations promulgated thereunder.  
 
2. Issue citations for the violation of the provisions of this article; the regulations 
promulgated thereunder. The procedure for the issuance of notices to appear shall be as 
provided for peace officers in A.R.S. § 13-3903, except that the Enforcement Agent shall not 
make an arrest before issuing the notice.  
 
3. Be responsible for declaring a rabies quarantine area within area of jurisdiction. When a 
quarantine area has been declared the Enforcement Agent shall meet with the State 
Veterinarian and Representatives from the Department of Health Services and the Game and 
Fish Department to implement an emergency program for the control of rabies within an area. 
Any regulations restricting or involving movements of livestock within an area shall be 
subject to approval by the State Veterinarian.  
 
B. The issuance of citations pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of A.R.S. § 
13-3899.  
 
C. The Enforcement Agent may designate deputies.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
 
 
14-19. License fees for dogs; issuance of dog tags; records; penalties. 
 
A. The County Board of Supervisors shall set an annual license fee which shall be paid for each 
dog four (4) months of age or over that is kept, harbored, or maintained within the boundaries of 
the County for at least thirty (30) consecutive days of each calendar year. License fees shall 
become payable at the discretion of the County Board of Supervisors. The licensing period shall

not exceed the period of time for revaccination as designated by the State Veterinarian. License 
fees shall be paid within ninety (90) days to the County Treasurer or his/her authorized 
representative. A penalty fee set by the County Board of Supervisors shall be added to the license 
fee in the event that application is made subsequent to the date on which the dog is required to be 
licensed under the provisions of this article. This penalty shall not be assessed against applicants 
who furnish adequate proof that the dog to be licensed has been in their possession or in the County 
less than thirty (30) consecutive days.  
 
B. Durable dog tags shall be provided by the County Board of Supervisors. Each dog licensed 
under the terms of this article shall receive, at the time of licensing, such a tag on which shall be 
inscribed the name of the County, the number of the license, and the date on which it expires. The 
tag shall be attached to a collar or harness which shall be worn by the dog at all times while running 
at large, except as otherwise provided in this article. Whenever a dog tag is lost, a duplicate tag 
shall be issued upon application by the owner and payment of fee established by the County Board 
of Supervisors to the County Treasurer or his/her authorized representative.  
 
C. The County Board of Supervisors may set license fees that are lower for dogs permanently 
incapable of procreation. An applicant for a license for a dog claimed to be incapable of procreation 
shall furnish adequate proof satisfactory to the County Enforcement Agent that such a dog has 
been surgically altered to be permanently incapable of procreation.  
 
D. Any person who fails within fifteen (15) days after written notification from the County 
Enforcement Agent to obtain a license for a dog required to be licensed, counterfeits or attempts 
to counterfeit an official dog tag, or removes such tag from any dog for the purpose of willful and 
malicious mischief or places a dog tag upon a dog unless the tag was issued for that particular dog 
is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.  
 
14-19.1. Kennel permit; fee; violation; classification. 
 
A. A person operating a kennel shall obtain a permit issued by the Board of Supervisors of the 
County where the kennel is located except if each individual dog is licensed.  
 
B. The annual fee for the kennel permit is seventy-five dollars ($75.00).  
 
C. A dog remaining within the kennel is not required to be licensed individually under section 4-
19. A dog leaving the controlled kennel conditions shall be licensed under section 4-19 except if 
the dog is only being transported to another kennel which has a permit issued under this section.  
 
D. A person who fails to obtain a kennel permit under this section is subject to a penalty of twenty-
five dollars ($25.00) in addition to the annual fee.  
E. A person who knowingly fails within thirty (30) days after written notification from the County 
Enforcement Agent to obtain a kennel permit is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. 
  
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 990, § 1, 8-20-81; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 
1707, § 1, 10-9-86; Ord. No. 2181, § 1, 9-27-90; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99)

14-20. Anti-rabies vaccination; vaccination and license stations. 
 
A. Before a license is issued for any dog, the owner must present a vaccination certificate signed 
by a veterinarian stating the owner's name and address and giving the dog's description, date of 
vaccination, and type, manufacturer, and serial number of the vaccine used and date revaccination 
is due. A duplicate of each rabies vaccination certificate issued shall be transmitted to the 
Enforcement Agent on or before the tenth day of the month following the month during which the 
dog was vaccinated. No dog shall be licensed unless it is vaccinated in accordance with the 
provisions of this article and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  
 
B. A dog vaccinated in any other State prior to entry into Arizona may be licensed in Arizona; 
provided, that, at the time of licensing, the owner of such dog presents a vaccination certificate, 
signed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in that State or a veterinarian employed by a 
governmental agency in that State, stating the owner's name and address and giving the dog's 
description, date of vaccination, and type, manufacturer, and serial number of the vaccine used. 
The vaccination must be in conformity with the provisions of this article and the regulations 
promulgated thereunder.  
 
C. The Enforcement Agent shall make provisions for vaccination clinics as deemed necessary. 
The vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-21. Rabies control fund. 
 
A. The Enforcement Agent or his/her authorized representative shall place the monies collected 
by him/her under the provisions of this article in a special fund to be known as the "rabies control 
fund" to be used for the enforcement of the provisions of this article and the regulations 
promulgated thereunder. 
  
B. Any unencumbered balance remaining in the rabies control fund at the end of a fiscal year shall 
be carried over into the following fiscal year.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-22. Dogs not permitted at large; wearing licenses. 
 
A. In a rabies quarantine area, no dogs shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined 
within an enclosure on the owner's property, or secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the 
owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length and directly under the owner's 
control when not on the owner's property.  
 
B. Any dog over the age of four (4) months running at large shall wear a collar or harness to which 
is attached a valid license tag. Dogs used for control of livestock or while being used or trained for 
hunting or dogs while being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event or dogs while engaged in 
races approved by the Arizona Racing Commission, and such dogs while being transported to and

from such events, need not wear a collar or harness with a valid license attached; provided, that 
they are properly vaccinated, licensed and controlled.  
 
C. If any dog is at large on the public streets, public parks or public property, then said dog's 
owner or custodian is in violation of this article.  
 
D. Any custodian of a dog or person whose dog is at large is in violation of this article. A dog is 
not at large:  
 
1. If said dog is restrained by a leash, chain, rope, or cord not more than six (6) feet in length, 
and of sufficient strength to control action of said dog.  
 
2. If said dog is used for control of livestock or while being used or trained for hunting or 
being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event, or while engaged in races approved by the 
Arizona Racing Commission.  
 
3. While said dog is actively engaged in dog obedience training, accompanied by and under 
the control of his/her owner or trainer; provided, that the person training said dog has in 
his/her possession a dog leash not more than six (6) feet in length and of sufficient strength 
to control said dog, and, further, that said dog is actually enrolled in or has graduated from a 
dog obedience training school.  
 
4. If said dog, whether on or off the premises of the owner or custodian, is controlled as 
provided in paragraph 1. of this subsection, or is within a suitable enclosure which actually 
confines the dog.  
 
E. Any dog(s) at large shall be apprehended and impounded by an Enforcement Agent. 
  
1. Said agent shall have the right to enter upon private property when it shall be necessary to 
do so in order to apprehend any dog that has been running at large. Such entrance upon private 
property shall be in reasonable pursuit of such dog(s), and shall not include entry into a 
domicile unless it be at the invitation of the occupant.  
 
2. Said agent may issue a citation(s) to the dog owner or person acting for the owner when 
the dog is at large. The procedure of the issuance of notice to appear shall be as provided for 
peace officers in A.R.S. § 13-3903, except the enforcement agent shall not make an arrest 
before issuing the notice. The issuance of citation(s) pursuant to this article shall be subject 
to provisions of A.R.S. § 13-3899.  
 
3. In the judgment of the Enforcement Agent, if any dog at large or other animal that is 
dangerous, vicious, or fierce and a threat to human safety that cannot be safely impounded 
may be immediately slain.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99)

14-23. Establishment of pounds; impounding and disposing of dogs and cats; reclaiming 
impounded dogs and cats; pound fees. 
 
A. Any stray dog shall be impounded. All dogs and cats impounded shall be given proper care 
and maintenance.  
 
B. Each stray dog or any cat impounded shall be kept and maintained at the pound for a minimum 
of seventy-two (72) hours unless claimed by its owner. Any person may purchase such a dog or 
cat upon expiration of the impoundment period, provided such person pays all pound fees and 
complies with the licensing and vaccinating provisions of this article. If the dog or cat is not 
claimed within the impoundment period, the Enforcement Agent shall take possession and may 
place the dog or cat for sale or may dispose of the dog or cat in an humane manner. If such dog or 
cat is to be used for medical research, no license or vaccination shall be required. The Enforcement 
Agent may destroy impounded sick or injured dogs or cats whenever such destruction is necessary 
to prevent such dog or cat from suffering or to prevent the spread of disease.  
 
C. Any impounded, licensed dog or any cat may be reclaimed by its owner or such owner's agent; 
provided, that the person reclaiming the dog or cat furnishes proof of right to do so and pays all 
pound fees. If the dog or cat is not reclaimed within the impoundment period, the enforcement 
agent shall take possession and may place the dog or cat for sale or may dispose of the dog or cat 
in a humane manner. Any person purchasing such a dog or cat shall pay all pound fees. 
  
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-24. Proper care, maintenance and destruction of impounded animals. 
 
A. Any animal impounded in a County, City or Town pound shall be given proper and humane 
care and maintenance.  
 
B. Any dog or cat destroyed while impounded in a County, City or Town pound shall be destroyed 
only by the use of one (1) of the following:  
 
1. Sodium pentobarbital or a derivative of sodium pentobarbital.  
 
2. Nitrogen gas.  
 
3. T-61 euthanasia solution or its generic equivalent.  
 
C. If an animal is destroyed by means specified in subsection B. paragraph 1. or 3. of this section, 
it shall be done by a licensed veterinarian or in accordance with procedures established by the State 
Veterinarian pursuant to Section 24-153, A.R.S.  
 
D. The governing body of any County, City or Town which operates a pound shall establish 
procedures for the humane destruction of impounded animals by the methods described in 
subsections B. and C. of this section.

(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14-25. Removing impounded animals. 
 
No person may remove or attempt to remove an animal which has been impounded or which is in 
the possession of the enforcement agent, except in accordance with the provisions of this article 
and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99) 
 
14.26. Vicious animals. 
 
14-26.1 Viciousness determination. 
 
A. Any person, including a County Animal Control Officer, having reasonable grounds to believe 
an animal is vicious may petition a City Magistrate for a determination that the animal is vicious. 
  
B. Any time after the petition is filed the Court may, if it finds that there are reasonable grounds 
to believe that the animal poses a risk of injury to any person or to animals owned by others, order 
that the animal be impounded on such terms as the court deems necessary to protect public safety. 
  
C. After notice to the owner of the animal, the City Magistrate shall conduct a hearing. The 
hearing shall be informal and open to the public. Oral and documentary evidence may be taken 
from any interested party and considered in determining whether the animal is vicious. Any owner 
who fails to appear after notice may be deemed to have waived any right to introduce evidence. 
The decision shall be based on the preponderance of evidence.  
 
D. A viciousness determination may be conducted in conjunction with and as a part of a criminal 
proceeding for any violation of this Chapter if viciousness is alleged in the complaint.  
 
E. Any fee for filing a petition or fees for service of hearing notices pursuant to this section may 
be deferred or waived by the court.  
 
F. Any decision of the City Magistrate may be appealed to the Superior Court.  
 
State law reference(s)—Vicious animals, A.R.S. § 13-1208.  
 
 
14-26.2 Disposition of vicious animals. Upon determining an animal to be vicious, the Court shall 
enter such orders, as it deems necessary to protect the public. The Court may order, but is not 
limited to the following:  
 
A. Require the animal to have permanent identification.

B. Require the owner to keep Maricopa Animal Control informed of any change in location or 
ownership of the animal.  
 
C. That the owner of the vicious animal display in a prominent place on the premises where the 
animal is kept a sign in three-inch letters, easily readable by the public, using the words "Vicious 
Animal."  
 
D. That the owner obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least one 
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00)for bodily injury or death of any person or for damage to 
property caused by the vicious animal.  
 
E. That the animal be destroyed.  
 
F. That the animal at all times be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked 
pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled. Any such confinement must be in a humane 
manner providing adequate ventilation, water, food and shelter from the elements and not be 
subject to excessive temperatures. The length and width of the locked pen or kennel must be at 
least two (2) times the animal's body length and at least three (3) inches taller than the animal's 
full standing height.  
 
G. That the animal be spayed or neutered.  
 
State law reference(s)—Destruction of vicious animals, A.R.S. § 11-1014.  
 
14-26.3 Authority of Enforcement Agent to determine an animal to be vicious. The County 
Enforcement Agent, upon good cause is hereby authorized to determine an animal to be vicious 
and to make such orders as the Enforcement Agent deems necessary to protect the public, including 
but not limited to the orders listed hereinabove in Section 14-26.2, A through H.  
 
A. The County Enforcement Agent shall serve notice of its determination of viciousness and order 
on the animals' owner or on any person found to be in possession of the animal if the owner cannot 
be determined.  
 
B. Service shall be accomplished in accordance with Rule 4.1, Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure.  
 
C. The Notice shall give the owner and/or person in possession of the animal or any other 
interested person thirty (30) days to appeal such determination and order and request a hearing 
before the Justice of the Peace or City Magistrate.  
 
D. In the event of an appeal, the Justice of the Peace or City Magistrate shall conduct a hearing 
de novo and treat the matter as a petition filed per Section 14-26.1 herein above.  
 
14-26.4 Handling of biting animals; responsibility for reporting animal bites. 
 
A. An unlicensed or unvaccinated dog or any cat that bites any person shall be confined and 
quarantined in an authorized pound or, upon request of and at the expense of the owner, at a

veterinary hospital for a period of not less than seven (7) days. A dog properly licensed and 
vaccinated pursuant to this article, that bites any person, may be confined and quarantined at the 
home of the owner or wherever the dog is harbored and maintained with the consent of and in a 
manner prescribed by the Enforcement Agent.  
 
B. Any animal other than a dog or cat that bites any person shall be confined and quarantined in 
an authorized pound or, upon the request of and at the expense of the owner, at a veterinary hospital 
for a period of not less than fourteen (14) days; provided, that livestock shall be confined and 
quarantined for the fourteen-day period in a manner regulated by the Arizona Livestock Sanitary 
Board. If the animal is a caged rodent, it may be confined and quarantined at the home of the owner 
or where it is harbored or maintained, for the required period of time, with the consent of and in a 
manner prescribed by the Enforcement Agent.  
 
C. Any wild animal which bites any person may be killed and submitted to the Enforcement Agent 
or his/her deputies for transmission to an appropriate diagnostic laboratory.  
 
D. Whenever an animal bites any person, the incident shall be reported to the Enforcement Agent 
immediately by any person having direct knowledge.  
 
E. The County Enforcement Agent may destroy any animal confined and quarantined pursuant to 
this section prior to the termination of the minimum confinement period for laboratory examination 
for rabies if:  
 
(1) Such animal shows clear clinical signs of rabies.  
 
(2) The owner of such animal consents to its destruction.  
 
F. Any animal subject to licensing under this article found without a tag identifying its owner shall 
be deemed unowned.  
 
G. The County Enforcement Agent shall destroy a vicious animal upon an order of a Justice of 
the Peace or a City Magistrate. A Justice of the Peace or City Magistrate may issue such an order 
after notice to the owner, if any, and a hearing.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 
3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 3836, § 2, 10-23-06) 
 
 
14-27. Authority to take control and custody of animals left unattended. 
 
When an animal is left unattended due to the arrest of its owner or person in control of the animal, 
the County Enforcement Officer is authorized to take control and custody of the animal until the 
animal is claimed by the owner or owner's agent. Any animal taken into custody subject to this 
section shall be kept and released in accordance with the provisions of this article and the 
regulations promulgated thereunder, provided however, an owner shall have a minimum of seven 
(7) days to claim an animal before the impoundment period is considered to have expired.

(Ord. No. 3836, § 3, 10-23-06) 
 
14-28. Dogs; liability. 
 
Injury to any person or damage to any property by a dog while at large shall be the full 
responsibility of the dog owner or person or persons responsible for the dog when such damages 
were inflicted.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 
3836, § 4, 10-23-06) 
 
14-29. Unlawful keeping of dogs. 
 
It is unlawful for a person to keep, harbor or maintain a dog within the City except as provided by 
the terms of this article.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 
3836, § 4, 10-23-06) 
 
14-30. Unlawful interference with Enforcement Agent. 
 
It is unlawful for any person to interfere with the Enforcement Agent in the performance of his/her 
duties.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 
3836, § 4, 10-23-06) 
 
14-31. Unlawful restraint of a dog. 
 
An owner shall not cruelly restrain a dog or permit a dog to remain attached to a stationary object 
during extreme weather conditions.  
 
(Ord. No. 4722, § II, 11-7-16)

14-32. Violation; classification. 
 
Any person who fails to comply with an order of a City Magistrate regarding a vicious animal or 
fails to comply with the requirements of this article, or violates any of its provisions, is guilty of a 
Class 2 misdemeanor, and may be subject to imprisonment for a maximum period of four (4) 
months, or fined a maximum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) or both. Each day a violation 
continues is a separate offense.  
 
(Ord. No. 784, § 1, 10-23-78; Ord. No. 1620, § 1, 5-22-86; Ord. No. 3044, § 2, 11-4-99; Ord. No. 
3836, § 5, 10-23-06; Ord. No. 4722, § III, 11-7-16) 
 
ARTICLE III. - CHICKENS 
 
14-33. BACKYARD CHICKENS. 
 
CHICKENS MAY BE KEPT FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY ON ANY LOT THAT IS 
LOCATED WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, THE PRINCIPAL USE OF WHICH IS A 
SINGLE-FAMILY 
RESIDENTIAL 
HOME, 
SUBJECT 
TO 
THE 
FOLLOWING 
REQUIREMENTS: 
 
a) NO MORE THAN FIVE (5) CHICKENS MAY BE KEPT ON AN INDIVIDUAL LOT. 
 
b) CHICKENS MUST BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE REAR OR SIDE YARDS AND 
MAY NOT BE PERMITTED TO TRESPASS UPON ANOTHER PROPERTY OR 
UPON ANY STREET, ALLEY, OR OTHER PUBLIC PLACE. 
 
c) THE CHICKENS MUST BE HOUSED IN A SECURED CHICKEN COOP. THE 
OUTER EDGE OF THE CHICKEN COOP STRUCTURE MAY NOT BE CLOSER 
THAN FIVE (5) FEET FROM ANY PROPERTY LINE ABUTTING, ADJOINING, OR 
OTHERWISE MEETING THE PROPERTY LINE OF THE RESIDENTIAL LOT OR 
PARCEL WHERE THE CHICKENS ARE KEPT. A CHICKEN COOP MAY NOT 
EXCEED THE HEIGHT OF THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY WALL. 
 
d) CHICKEN COOPS EXCEEDING ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) SQUARE 
FEET IN SIZE OR SEVEN (7) FEET IN HEIGHT REQUIRE A BUILDING PERMIT 
AND ARE CONSIDERED AN ACCESSORY BUILDING SUBJECT TO 
REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 35-2202 ACCESSORY BUILDINGS 
AND GUEST QUARTERS. 
 
e) CHICKEN COOPS SERVED WITH UTILITIES (E.G., ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING) 
REQUIRE APPLICABLE PERMITS TO ENSURE CONFORMANCE WITH 
BUILDING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS REGARDLESS OF COOP SIZE. 
 
f) PROPERTIES 
MUST 
COMPLY 
WITH 
PROPERTY 
MAINTENANCE 
REGULATIONS CONTAINED IN CHAPTER 30 OF THIS CODE.

14-33. ROOSTERS PROHIBITED. 
 
ROOSTERS ARE PROHIBITED ANYWHERE WITHIN THE CITY. 
  
14-34. PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT. 
 
ANY PERSON THAT VIOLATES THIS ARTICLE IS SUBJECT TO THE CIVIL PENALTIES 
IDENTIFIED IN CHAPTER 30-11 OF THE CHANDLER CITY CODE.  ENFORCEMENT OF 
THIS ARTICLE WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES OF 
ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 30 OF THE CHANDLER CITY CODE.  VIOLATIONS OF THIS 
ARTICLE ARE CONSIDERED VIOLATIONS OF THE CHANDLER PROPERTY 
MAINTENANCE ORDINANCE FOR PURPOSES OF ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 30 OF THE 
CHANDLER CITY CODE.  
 
 
 
 
Chapter 35 of the Chandler City Code is hereby amended as follows (additions in ALL CAPS, 
deletions in strikeout): 
 
. . . 
 
35-200. - Definitions. 
 
. . . 
 
CHICKEN COOP: A SMALL STRUCTURE THAT IS USED AS A CAGE OR HOUSING 
ENCLOSURE FOR CHICKENS.  A CHICKEN COOP INCLUDES ANY “CHICKEN RUN” 
OR ATTACHED ENCLOSURE IN WHICH CHICKENS ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM. A 
CHICKEN COOP EXCEEDING ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) SQUARE FEET IN 
SIZE OR SEVEN (7) FEET IN HEIGHT REQUIRES A BUILDING PERMIT AND IS 
CONSIDERED AN ACCESSORY BUILDING FOR PURPOSES OF THIS CHAPTER.  
 
. . .