20D.170.15 Animal Boarding: Kennels, Shelters, and Equestrian Facilities.

20D.170.15-010 Purpose.

The purpose of these regulations in this section is to assure that the impacts of noise, odor, and sanitation associated with animals or animal boarding activities are minimized. (Ord. 1930 (20C.80.7105))

20D.170.15-020 General Development Standards for Animal Kennels and Shelters.

The following development criteria shall apply to all animal kennels and shelters in the zones in which they are approved or in the permit process under which the use is regulated. Additional criteria can be found in sub-sections (2) and (3), below.

(1)    The applicant shall comply with requirements set forth in Chapter 7.04 RMC, Animal Control.

(2)    Development Criteria for Semi-Rural Zone (RA-5 Zone).

(a)    Kennels shall be allowed as either indoor or outdoor facilities.

(b)    Location. All animal containing structures and runs shall be set back a minimum distance of 50 feet from the property line. The structures may be required to be set back, landscaped, or designed in such a fashion to screen them from neighboring residential uses.

(c)    Mitigation of Noise. In order to mitigate potential noise impacts, animal-containing structures constructed of materials such as chain link, which do not provide sound proofing, may be required to meet greater setbacks distances from adjoining uses. These standards include but are not limited to the construction of fences, and installation of landscaping to meet Type I landscape requirements.

(d)    Number of Animals. The planned maximum number of animals to be sheltered shall be indicated on the application. This maximum may be lowered by the Technical Committee if it cannot be shown that the development has adequate lot size and facility design to accommodate the planned number of animals in a fashion that ensures that neighboring properties will not be impacted by noise, odor, sanitation, and runoff problems.

(3)    Development Criteria for Commercial Zones (General Commercial and Neighborhood Commercial Zones).

(a)    Location. Animal boarding facilities shall be located inside of a structure. No outdoor boarding facilities shall be permitted.

(b)    Outdoor Runs. Outdoor runs or yards shall be allowed for the purpose of exercising the animals. Those runs/yards are to be enclosed by eight-foot-high walls of sound-attenuating fencing or material such as masonry or concrete. The runs may be required to be set back, landscaped or designed to further buffer neighboring properties. Outdoor runs or yard areas shall not be used for the boarding of animals.

(c)    Number of Animals. The planned maximum number of animals to be sheltered shall be indicated on the application. Through the General Development process, this maximum may be lowered by the Technical Committee if it cannot be shown that the development has adequate lot size and facility design to accommodate the planned number of animals in a fashion that ensures the neighboring residential properties will not be impacted with noise or odor problems. (Ord. 1930 (20C.80.7110); Ord. 1734)

20D.170.15-030 General Development Standards for Equestrian Facilities.

The following development criteria shall apply to private or commercial equestrian facilities such as stables, facilities for breeding and training and riding academies in the zones in which they are permitted. The keeping of horses or other large domestic animals for private use on individual residential lots is regulated by Chapter 7.04 RMC, Animal Control.

(1)    Minimum Lot Requirement. The minimum land area for an equestrian facility shall be no less than five acres. The required land area may be reduced or increased in the R-2 through R-8 zones through the Special Development Review Process. The required land area will be based on how the proposal meets the intent of each of the requirements of this subsection.

(2)    Setback Requirements. Structures and operations for feeding, housing, training and caring for livestock and storing livestock fees or wastes shall meet the setback requirements in the chart below.

Structure or Operation	Minimum Setback from Property Line	Minimum Setback from Water Bodies (Ordinary High Water Mark)
Structures for feeding, housing, training and caring for livestock	50 feet	100 feet, or the minimum buffer established by critical areas buffers requirements in RCDG 20D.140.20-020, Stream Buffers, RCDG 20D.150.60, Shoreline Buffers and Setbacks, and waterfront building setback requirements in RCDG 20C.30.25-080, whichever is greater.
Accessory structures	5 feet	Established by critical areas buffers requirements in RCDG 20D.140.20-020, Stream Buffers, RCDG 20D.150.60, Shoreline Buffers and Setbacks, and waterfront building setback requirements in RCDG 20C.30.25-080, whichever is greater.
All other buildings	See site requirements chart.	Established by critical areas buffers requirements in RCDG 20D.140.20-020, Stream Buffers, RCDG 20D.150.60, Shoreline Buffers and Setbacks, and waterfront building setback requirements in RCDG 20C.30.25-080, whichever is greater.

(3)    Odor and Sanitation. Stable manure shall not create a health hazard or an ongoing odor problem for neighboring properties. A plan for storage, reuse, or composting of manure shall be required that shows any or all of the following: use of absorbent bedding or odor absorbing chemicals in stalls, the location, method of storage or composting proposals for waste materials, a schedule for manure removal, plans for use of manure as a fertilizer on the property including a proposed buffer area.

(4)    Pasturage/Paddocks/Exercise Facilities. The number of animals allowed to use pasturage shall be controlled to prevent overgrazing and erosion. If foals are to be kept at the facility, a sufficiently sized pasture area shall be available and used for extended periods of daily turnout of young animals. Setbacks or limited access may be required from streams. Paddock areas shall be designed to prevent erosion and cleaned as needed to prevent runoff of waste materials. Provision shall be made to properly exercise animals boarded in stalls; exercise wheels, paddocks for turnout, or an exercising schedule may be required.

(5)    Parking. A parking plan shall be submitted showing sufficient parking area or spaces to accommodate users, employees, visitors, or spectators. A ratio of one space for each five users, visitors, or spectators shall be required, including spectators for horse shows or similar events. In addition, the parking plan must delineate trailer parking area and an emergency access route.

(6)    Noise, Dust, Special Events. The use of public address systems to conduct instruction of the riders or announce at spectator events shall be controlled to prevent conflicts with nearby residential uses. In residential zones, limited hours of operation may be required for the use of the loudspeaker system and shall be consistent with the development regulations for noise. Cleanup shall be required after an event or show. The number of large special events may be limited under conditions of approval in the special development permit process.

(7)    Lighting. Parking lot lighting and lighting on structures or signs shall be designed to minimize excessive glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties and shorelines, and shall comply with the development regulations for lighting and signage and with the design standards of Chapter 20D.40 RCDG.

(8)    Number of Animals. The planned maximum number of animals to be sheltered shall be indicated on the application. The City may lower this maximum if it cannot be shown that the development has adequate lot size and facility design to accommodate the planned number of animals in a fashion that ensures the neighboring residential properties will be minimally impacted with noise or odor problems. (Ord. 2486; Ord. 2447; Ord. 1930 (20C.80.7120))