Chapter 6.20
LIVESTOCK
Sections:
* Prior legislation: Ord. 6.
6.20.010 Domestic livestock.
A. Large Animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, or maintain any domestic livestock including, but not limited to, horses, sheep, goats, cows, hogs, or burros, within the limits or boundaries of the Village without meeting the following:
1. The written consent and approval of each and every owner or resident who maintains or occupies a home or residence within 500 feet of the yard, corral, barn, or shed where any of the animals are intended to be kept and maintained.
2. Applying for and receiving from the animal control officer a permit to own or keep any domestic livestock.
a. The animal control officer shall be permitted at any reasonable time to enter the premises for the purpose of inspection or reinspection to determine compliance with this title.
b. The fee for a permit shall be $10.00 and shall be renewed annually. Each species of domestic livestock shall require a separate permit.
3. All lots shall have a minimum of 21,780 square feet (one-half acre) for the keeping of domestic livestock.
4. The density per acre limitation for livestock, not applicable to young animals below weaning age or six months of age, whichever is greater, shall be one-half acre or more. For horses, mules, donkeys, swine, buffalo, cows, goats, and beefalo the minimum square footage of the open lot area, not including the dwelling unit, shall be 9,000 square feet for the first animal and 6,000 square feet thereafter for each additional animal, provided the total number of such animals shall not exceed four animals per acre. For animals not mentioned in this subsection, the density per acre limitation shall be determined by the animal control officer after consultation with relevant agencies.
5. No such animal shall be kept closer than 35 feet to an adjoining dwelling.
6. Keeping of such animals shall not be permitted in the required front, side and street side yard setbacks.
B. The keeping of domestic livestock shall be subject to the following development standards:
1. Corral Size. Every corral to be provided shall have a minimum dimension of not less than 12 feet by 12 feet and shall contain not less than 240 square feet of area.
2. Fencing. Fencing to be provided shall be subject to the following:
a. Materials and Construction. Fencing may be constructed of wood, chain link, masonry, metal, and materials with the structural strength required by the building code.
3. Shade. In conjunction with corrals, a roofed area shall be provided.
4. Water Facilities. Each animal shall have access to fresh water.
5. Maintenance. All stalls and corrals shall be continuously maintained so as to maintain appearance and prevent deterioration and animal escape. All premises and facilities upon which animals are permitted to be kept shall be maintained in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition at all times so as not to constitute a nuisance or a menace to public health in the opinion of the animal control officer.
6. Containment Devices. Substantial and acceptable locking or latching devices shall be provided and installed on all gates and doors to animal areas located thereon in such a manner as to be inaccessible to animals and small children for the prevention of animal escape and unauthorized entry.
7. Drainage. All areas adjacent to any pen, coop, stable, stall, barn, corral, grazing or workout or training areas, or other building structures and areas where animals are kept and maintained, shall be graded to drain away from such facilities so as to prevent ponding and insect harborage.
8. Dust Control. All areas used as arenas for exercising, training, or exhibition of animals shall be continuously maintained in a dust-free manner at all times by dampening with an approved sprinkler system or other acceptable means for the prevention of detrimental and nuisance effects of dust emission to surrounding properties.
C. Fowl. It shall also be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, or maintain any fowl, including, but not limited to, chickens, pigeons, ducks, and geese, within the limits or boundaries of the Village without first meeting the following:
1. The written consent and approval of each and every owner or resident who maintains or occupies a home or residence within 500 feet of the yard, corral, barn, or shed where any of the animals are intended to be kept and maintained.
2. Applying for and receiving from the animal control officer a permit to own or keep any domestic livestock.
a. The animal control officer shall be permitted at any reasonable time to enter the premises for the purpose of inspection or reinspection to determine compliance with this title.
b. The fee for a permit shall be $10.00 and shall be renewed annually. Each species of domestic livestock shall require a separate permit.
3. No such animal shall be kept closer than 35 feet to an adjoining dwelling.
4. Keeping of such animals shall not be permitted in the required front, side and street side yard setbacks.
5. All small animals shall be provided with adequate enclosures to contain them within the boundaries of the owner’s property.
6. All premises and facilities upon which animals, poultry, or fowl are permitted to be kept shall be maintained in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition at all times so as not to constitute a nuisance or a menace to public health in the opinion of the animal control officer.
7. All areas adjacent to any pen, coop, stable, stall, barn, corral, grazing or workout or training areas, or other building structures and areas where animals are kept and maintained, shall be graded to drain away from such facilities so as to prevent ponding and insect harborage.
D. Exceptions. Owners of livestock who have applied for and received a livestock permit for such livestock pursuant to Ordinance No. 155 at Village Hall on or before the date of publication of the enactment of the ordinance codified in this title, who have applied for and received a livestock permit in accordance with Ordinance No. 155, and who maintain the livestock at all times in compliance with the requirements of VCMC 6.20.020 and 6.20.030 may keep livestock within the municipal limits. This exception will only be granted to the current holder of the valid livestock permit and shall not be transferred to any individual, business, entity or any other location. [Amended during 2014 codification; Ord. 241 § 7-1-24, 2007].
6.20.020 Running at large.
It is unlawful for any domestic livestock, including but not limited to cattle, horses, mules, donkeys, burros, swine, goats, sheep or fowl, or other animals, to be turned loose, abandoned, or to run at large within the limits of the Village or for the animal to be tethered so that it may roam across or into any street or public place in the municipality. [Ord. 241 § 7-1-25, 2007].
6.20.030 Revocation.
A domestic livestock license may be revoked when, in the opinion of the animal control officer, it is maintained that any one or more of the following conditions exists:
A. The property and pens are not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition to constitute a health hazard or produce noxious odors.
B. Structures are considered to be unsafe.
C. Maintaining animals unlicensed, as required by this chapter.
D. Any violation of VCMC 6.05.130 or 6.05.140.
E. The keeping of animals in excess of that number allowed under the existing kennel license. [Ord. 241 § 7-1-26, 2007].