Division II. Supplemental Conditions for Specific Use
Chapter 18.150
KEEPING OF ANIMALS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Sections
18.150.050 Types of animals regulated.
18.150.060 Minimum requirements – Additional controls authorized when.
18.150.070 Household pet requirements.
18.150.080 Small domestic animal requirements.
18.150.090 Large domestic animal requirements.
18.150.110 Notification to nearby property owners required when.
18.150.120 Modification of regulations – City Manager or the City Manager’s designee authority.
18.150.010 Title.
This section shall be entitled “Supplemental Conditions for Specific Uses.” This chapter shall be entitled “Keeping of Animals in Residential Zones.” [Ord. 1591 § 331, 2014.]
18.150.020 Application.
This chapter applies to the keeping of animals in any zone where a dwelling unit is permitted; provided, that with respect to Suburban Estate Zones found in chapter 18.85 DMMC this chapter is intended to supplement the provisions contained therein, and any conflict between this chapter and chapter 18.85 DMMC shall be resolved in favor of chapter 18.85 DMMC; and provided further, that this chapter is intended to supplement the provisions of DMMC 18.52.010A(28) (related to the keeping of horses or cattle) and any conflict between this chapter and DMMC 18.52.010A(28) shall be resolved in favor of this chapter; and provided further, that the keeping of animals is forbidden in Commercial Zones except as otherwise specifically permitted. [Ord. 1591 § 332, 2014.]
18.150.030 Purpose.
The limitations on keeping of animals in Residential Zones contained in this chapter have the following purposes:
(1) To maintain the general health and sanitation of the City;
(2) To maintain the character of residential neighborhoods within the City; and
(3) To minimize any nuisances which may result from the keeping of animals. [Ord. 1591 § 333, 2014.]
18.150.040 Authority.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the provisions of chapters 35.63, 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW and other applicable laws. [Ord. 1591 § 334, 2014.]
18.150.050 Types of animals regulated.
Animals are regulated according to the following categories. The expression “adult animal” refers to any animal that has attained the age of 90 days.
(1) Household Pets. The following adult animals are regulated as household pets:
(a) Three dogs or fewer per dwelling unit;
(b) Three cats or fewer per dwelling unit;
(c) Three rabbits or fewer per dwelling unit;
(d) Two miniature potbellied pigs per dwelling unit;
(e) In combination, no more than three of the following animals: dogs, cats, miniature potbellied pigs, or rabbits per dwelling unit;
(f) Gerbils;
(g) Guinea pigs;
(h) Hamsters;
(i) Mice;
(j) Cage birds;
(k) Tank fish;
(l) Nonvenomous reptiles and amphibians; and
(m) Other animals normally associated with a dwelling unit, and that are generally housed within the dwelling unit.
(2) Small Domestic Animals. The following adult animals are regulated as small domestic animals:
(a) More than three dogs per dwelling unit;
(b) More than three cats per dwelling unit;
(c) More than three rabbits per dwelling unit;
(d) More than two miniature potbellied pigs per dwelling unit;
(e) In combination, more than three of the following animals: dogs, cats, miniature potbellied pigs, or rabbits per dwelling unit; and
(f) Fowl.
(3) Large Domestic Animals. The following adult animals are regulated as large domestic animals:
(a) Horses;
(b) Cattle;
(c) Sheep;
(d) Pigs;
(e) Goats; and
(f) Other grazing or foraging animals.
(4) Bees. [Ord. 1591 § 335, 2014.]
18.150.060 Minimum requirements – Additional controls authorized when.
DMMC 18.150.070 through 18.150.100 constitute the minimum requirements for the keeping of animals in the City. Nothing contained in DMMC 18.150.070 through 18.150.100 shall limit the authority of the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to require additional controls if, in his judgment, additional controls are needed to effect the purposes of this chapter. Further, nothing contained in DMMC 18.150.070 through 18.150.100 shall relieve a keeper of animals from compliance with any other City, county, or state law regulating the keeping of animals. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to delegate his review authority. [Ord. 1591 § 336, 2014.]
18.150.070 Household pet requirements.
Minimum requirements for the keeping of household pets are as follows:
(1) Required procedure: none;
(2) Application information: none;
(3) Maximum number of adult animals per one dwelling unit:
(a) Dogs: three;
(b) Cats: three;
(c) Rabbits: three;
(d) Miniature potbellied pigs: two;
(e) In combination, a total number of dogs, cats, miniature potbellied pigs, or rabbits: three;
(f) Other: no maximum;
(4) Minimum lot size: As required by general zoning regulations;
(5) Minimum setback: None;
(6) Special regulations and requirements: Household pets, excluding dogs, cats, rabbits, and miniature potbellied pigs shall be housed within the dwelling unit. If housed outside of the dwelling units, household pets excluding dogs, cats, rabbits, and miniature potbellied pigs are regulated as small domestic animals. [Ord. 1591 § 337, 2014.]
18.150.080 Small domestic animal requirements.
Minimum requirements for the keeping of small domestic animals are as follows:
(1) Required Procedure. City Manager or the City Manager’s designee review;
(2) Application Information.
(a) A site plan indicating the location of the dwelling units, and structure used to house the animals, and any roaming or grazing area;
(b) A vicinity map indicating the type of use on property abutting the subject property and the location of any structures on abutting property;
(c) The type and number of animals to be kept by the applicant;
(3) Maximum number of adult animals per one dwelling unit: 10 per 22,000 square feet, plus an additional five adult animals for each 11,000 square feet of lot size;
(4) Minimum lot size: 22,000 square feet per dwelling unit;
(5) Minimum Setback. Any structure or enclosure used to house animals must be at least 35 feet from a property line and at least 45 feet from any dwelling unit located on an adjacent lot. Any “run” or animal exercise area must be at least 20 feet from any property line, and at least 30 feet from any dwelling unit located on an adjacent lot, and shall be constructed to effect these setbacks;
(6) Special Regulations and Requirements.
(a) The City may limit the number of animals allowed to less than the maximum considering:
(i) Proximity to dwelling units both on and off the subject property;
(ii) Lot size and isolation;
(iii) Compatibility with surrounding uses;
(iv) Potential noise impacts;
(b) The applicant must provide a suitable structure to house the animals, and must maintain that structure in a clean condition;
(c) If an abutting property owner files a signed and notarized statement in support of the request, the City may permit a “run” or exercise area to extend to the property line in common with the abutting property. Such release shall be effective until revoked in writing by the abutting property owner and the City;
(7) Screening. The City may require screening to mitigate financial, health, and aesthetic impacts on adjacent residential property when such residential property is used for residential purposes. The screening shall consist of a solid wall, a view-obscuring fence or hedge not less than five feet nor more than six feet in height, which will be erected and maintained on any exterior boundary that is common with property used for residential purposes, or shall consist of predominantly view-obscuring evergreen shrubs and trees of a type, number, location, height, and size approved by the City. [Ord. 1591 § 338, 2014.]
18.150.090 Large domestic animal requirements.
Minimum requirements for the keeping of large domestic animals are as follows:
(1) Required Procedure. City Manager or the City Manager’s designee review;
(2) Application Information.
(a) A site plan indicating the location of the dwelling units, and structure used to house the animals, and any roaming or grazing area;
(b) A vicinity map indicating the type of use on property abutting the subject property and the location of any structures on abutting property;
(c) The type and number of animals to be kept by the applicant;
(3) Maximum number of adult animals per one dwelling unit: one per 35,000 square feet and one per each additional 17,500 square feet;
(4) Minimum lot size: 35,000 square feet per dwelling unit;
(5) Minimum Setback. Any structure or enclosure used to house animals must be at least 35 feet from a property line and at least 45 feet from any dwelling unit located on an adjacent lot. Roaming or grazing areas must be at least 20 feet from any property line, and at least 30 feet from any dwelling unit located on an adjacent lot, and shall be constructed to effect these setbacks;
(6) Special Regulations and Requirements.
(a) If an abutting property owner files a signed and notarized statement in support of the request, the City may permit roaming or grazing areas to extend to the property line in common with the abutting property. Such release shall be effective until revoked in writing by the abutting property owner and the City;
(b) The City may limit the number of animals allowed to less than the maximum considering:
(i) Proximity to dwelling units both on and off the subject property;
(ii) Lot size and isolation;
(iii) Compatibility with surrounding uses;
(iv) Potential noise impacts;
(c) The applicant must provide a suitable structure to house the animals, and must maintain that structure in a clean condition;
(7) Screening. The City may require screening to mitigate financial, health, and aesthetic impacts on adjacent residential property when such residential property is used for residential purposes. The screening shall consist of a solid wall, a view-obscuring fence or hedge not less than five feet nor more than six feet in height, which will be erected and maintained on any exterior boundary that is common with property used for residential purposes, or shall consist of predominantly view-obscuring evergreen shrubs and trees of a type, number, location, height, and size approved by the City. [Ord. 1591 § 339, 2014.]
18.150.100 Bee requirements.
Minimum requirements for the keeping of bees are as follows:
(1) Required Procedure. City Manager or the City Manager’s designee review;
(2) Application Information. Show compliance with subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section;
(3) Maximum number of adult animals per one dwelling unit: no maximum;
(4) Minimum lot size: 12,500 square feet per dwelling unit;
(5) Minimum Setback. Hive must be at least 20 feet from a property line;
(6) Special Regulations and Requirements.
(a) A hive must be enclosed by a fence, at least four feet high;
(b) The applicant must install at least two signs, measuring two square feet each, which provide notice and warning of the hive;
(7) Screening. The City may require screening to mitigate financial, health, and aesthetic impacts on adjacent residential property when such residential property is used for residential purposes. The screening shall consist of a solid wall, a view-obscuring fence or hedge not less than five feet nor more than six feet in height, which will be erected and maintained on any exterior boundary that is common with property used for residential purposes, or shall consist of predominantly view-obscuring evergreen shrubs and trees of a type, number, location, height, and size approved by the City. [Ord. 1591 § 340, 2014.]
18.150.110 Notification to nearby property owners required when.
In order to give all interested parties an opportunity to avail themselves of the appellate procedure contained in DMMC 18.20.170, the following procedure shall be followed in applications for small domestic animals, large domestic animals, and bee review. The applicant shall give notice of the pending application to all property owners within 300 feet of the applicant’s property in the same manner as that required for a zoning amendment. Thereafter, the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee shall give notice of his decision to any such property owner who has previously requested such notification in writing. [Ord. 1591 § 341, 2014.]
18.150.120 Modification of regulations – City Manager or the City Manager’s designee authority.
The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee shall have authority, either at the request of a property owner or on his own initiative, to modify any approval granted pursuant to this chapter if conditions on adjacent lots have substantially changed and the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee concludes such modifications are necessary to effect the purposes of this chapter. [Ord. 1591 § 342, 2014.]