4-9-100 ADDITIONAL ANIMALS PERMIT PROCESS:
A. PURPOSE:
To ensure the keeping of additional animals occurs in a humane and appropriate manner that benefits the animals and allows animals to coexist harmoniously with adjacent and abutting uses.
B. APPLICABILITY:
Additional Animals Permits are issued to an individual and remain valid as long as that individual occupies the address where the keeping of additional animals has been approved, the animal use remains an accessory use, and the permit has not been revoked. The permit is not transferable to a different individual or a different property, except that permits issued for extra large lot animals are allowed to be transferred to subsequent purchasers of the property for which the permit has been issued. (Ord. 5640, 12-12-2011)
C. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY:
The Development Services Division, if satisfied that all requirements for an Additional Animals Permit are met, may approve the issuance of the Additional Animals Permit.
D. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ANIMALS PERMITTED WITH AN ADDITIONAL ANIMALS PERMIT:
The number of animals allowed with the Additional Animals Permit is at the discretion of the Community and Economic Development Administrator in consultation with the inspecting Animal Control Officer; however, the following numbers shall not be exceeded for these specific animal types: (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)
1. Dogs and Cats: No more than a maximum of six (6) dogs and/or cats.
2. Extra Large Animals (Horses, Donkeys, Cows and Llamas) on Properties without a Covered Arena and a Stable:
|
Size of Property in Square Feet |
Maximum Number of Extra Large Lot Animals Permissible with an Additional Animals Permit |
|---|---|
|
Less than 20,000 square feet of area devoted only to the animals |
None allowed |
|
20,000 – 29,039 square feet* |
1 |
|
29,040 – 43,559 square feet* |
2 |
|
43,560 – 58,079 square feet* |
3 |
|
58,080 – 72,599 square feet* |
4 |
|
72,600 – 87,119 square feet* |
5 |
|
87,120 – 101,639 square feet* |
6 |
|
For lots over 101,639* square feet, an additional 14,520 square feet is required for each additional extra large lot animal |
|
* A minimum of 20,000 square feet of area must be devoted only to the animals.
3. Extra Large Lot Animals (Horses, Donkeys, Cows and Llamas) on Properties with a Covered Arena and a Stable:
|
Size of Property in Square Feet |
Maximum Number of Extra Large Lot Animals Permissible with an Additional Animals Permit |
|---|---|
|
Less than 20,000 square feet of area devoted only to the animals |
None allowed |
|
20,000 – 21,779 square feet* |
2 |
|
21,780 – 29,039 square feet* |
3 |
|
29,040 – 36,299 square feet* |
4 |
|
36,300 – 43,559 square feet* |
5 |
|
43,560 – 50,819 square feet* |
6 |
|
50,820 – 58,080 square feet* |
7 |
|
For lots over 58,080* square feet, an additional 7,260 square feet is required for each additional extra large lot animal |
|
* A minimum of 20,000 square feet of area must be devoted only to the animals.
E. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND FEES:
Fees shall be as listed in the City of Renton Fee Schedule Brochure, and submittal requirements shall be as listed in RMC 4-8-120C.
F. NOTIFICATION AND COMMENT PERIOD:
1. Notification: Public notice shall be accomplished consistent with RMC 4-8-090, Public Notice Requirements. Property owners within three hundred feet (300') of the applicant’s property shall be notified of the application. The applicant is responsible for providing current mailing labels and postage to the Development Services Division.
2. Comment Period and Decision: The notice of application comment period shall expire prior to the issuance of a decision by the Development Services Division Director. The Director may approve, conditionally approve or deny the proposed application.
G. DECISION CRITERIA:
1. Authority: The Development Services Division Director shall review requests for Additional Animals Permits for compatibility of the proposal with the surrounding neighborhood.
2. Inspection Authorized: The Community and Economic Development Administrator may require that the property be inspected by an Animal Control Officer. (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)
3. Findings Required for Approval: In order to approve the Additional Animals Permit, the Director must find all of the following:
a. The site and facility will be adequate to ensure the humane and appropriate care of the animals.
b. The keeping of additional animals will not have a significant effect on abutting or adjacent properties or cause a detriment to the community.
c. Adequate and appropriate facility and rear yard specifications/dimensions exist that ensure the health and safety of the animals. The facility for medium lot, large lot and extra large lot domestic animals must include a grassy or vegetated area.
d. Compliance with the requirements of subsection D of this section, Maximum Number of Animals Permitted With an Additional Animals Permit.
e. Animal waste will be managed in a manner appropriate and adequate to prevent significant off-site impacts.
f. If the application is for the keeping of additional large lot or extra large lot animals, the applicant has provided a copy of an adopted farm management plan based on King County Conservation District’s Farm Conservation and Practice Standards which shows that there is adequate pasturage to support a greater number of animals.
g. If the application is for the keeping of additional extra large lot animals, the minimum area devoted only to the animals is at least twenty thousand (20,000) square feet.
h. If the application is for an animal foster care provider, the applicant shall keep paperwork for all foster animals which states that the animals are foster animals from a sponsoring organization. Such paperwork shall be provided upon request to City officials.
4. Additional Considerations: Additional factors to be considered in determining compatibility and adequacy are:
a. The past history of animal control complaints regarding animals kept by the applicant.
b. The animal size, type and characteristics of breed.
c. The zoning classification of the premises on which the keeping of additional animals is to occur.
H. CONDITIONS:
The Community and Economic Development Administrator, in reviewing an Additional Animals Permit application, may require soundproofing of structures as he or she deems necessary to ensure the compatibility of the proposal for additional animals with the surrounding neighborhood. Other conditions may be applied based upon the determination of the Administrator that conditions are warranted to meet the purpose and intent of applicable regulations and decision criteria. (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)
I. PERIOD OF VALIDITY, INDIVIDUAL PERMITS:
An Additional Animals Permit shall be valid as long as the keeping of animals has not been discontinued for more than one year, the operator is in compliance with the City requirements and has not had the Additional Animals Permit and/or any related home occupation license revoked or renewal refused. In addition, all animals that are required to be licensed shall be individually licensed according to the regulations found in chapter 5-4 RMC, Animal Licenses. Failure to renew animal licenses as required in chapter 5-4 RMC shall trigger review and/or revocation of the Additional Animals Permit.
J. REVOCATION OF LICENSE:
1. Revocation of Additional Animals Permit: If, after conducting an investigation, the Administrator finds that the keeping of additional animals is in violation of the provisions of this Section and/or the terms and conditions subject thereto, he or she may revoke the Additional Animals Permit.
2. Revocation of Business License: Upon findings of violation, if the Additional Animals Permit holder also has a home occupation business license, the Community and Economic Development Administrator shall refer the findings to the Finance Administrator who may revoke the home occupation business license pursuant to RMC 5-5-3E, Penalties. (Ord. 5547, 8-9-2010; Ord. 5654, 2-13-2012)
3. License – Waiting Period Following Revocation or Refusal to Renew: For a period of one year after the date of revocation or refusal to renew, permits shall not be issued for additional animals to applicants who have previously had such permit revoked or renewal refused. In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of this Section or any provisions of the animal control authority for any new or renewal application. (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012; Ord. 6126, 12-11-2023)
K. APPEAL:
The applicant or a citizen may appeal the decision of the Community and Economic Development Administrator pursuant to RMC 4-8-110, Appeals.
(Ord. 3927, 7-15-1985; Ord. 4493, 1-23-1995; Amd. Ord. 4963, 5-13-2002; Ord. 5159, 10-17-2005; Ord. 5356, 2-25-2008; Ord. 5547, 8-9-2010; Ord. 5578, 11-15-2010; Ord. 5603, 6-6-2011; Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)