Chapter 15.440 KEEPING OF ANIMALS

Chapter 15.440
KEEPING OF ANIMALS

Sections:

15.440.100 Domestic Animals – Limitations

15.440.200 Horse/Equine Animal Regulations

15.440.005 Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to designate regulations that apply to domestic animals, horses, equine animals, and livestock. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)

15.440.010 Authority and Application

The provisions in this chapter shall apply to all domestic animals, horses, equine animals, and livestock. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)

15.440.100 Domestic Animals – Limitations

Domestic animals as defined in Chapter 15.105 SMC, Definitions, are permitted outright in all zone classifications within the City. The number of inside or outside animals allowed is listed below.

A. Inside Animals.

1. The number of cats kept inside and birds, snakes, and small rodents kept in aquariums, terrariums, cages, or other similar containers shall not be limited unless the property meets the definition of a “kennel” under Chapter 15.105 SMC, Definitions, or is limited by health codes.

2. All other domestic animals kept inside shall be limited to not more than five (5) total domestic animals, in an allowed combination of the animals listed in the Outside Animals table in subsection (B) of this section. Miniature horses shall not be allowed as an inside animal. Except for the domestic animals listed in subsection (A)(1) of this section, the total number and type of inside animals allowed shall not exceed the number of animals that are allowed outdoors (for example, a property owner could not have five (5) pot-bellied pigs indoors. Only one (1) or two (2) would be allowed indoors based on lot size. No pot-bellied pigs would be allowed indoors on lots of less than fifteen thousand one (15,001) square feet).

B. Outside Animals. The number of outside animals shall be limited based on lot size as defined in the following Outside Animals table.

OUTSIDE ANIMALS
Lot Size
	Less Than 7,200 sq. ft.	7,200 – 15,000 sq. ft.	15,001 – 30,000 sq. ft.	30,000+ sq. ft.
Total Number of Outside Animals Allowed	5*	6*	7*	8*
Cats	3	3	4	5
Dogs	3	3	4	5
Rabbits	5**	5**	5**	5**
Goats/Pygmy Goats	1**	2**	3**	4**
Sheep	1**	2**	3**	3**
Pigs/Pot-Bellied Pigs	0**	0**	1**	2**
Chickens (Including Roosters)	5**	5**	5**	5**
Ducks	5**	5**	5**	5**
Other Fowl	0	0	1**	2**
Miniature Horses	0	0	1/*	2/*

* This denotes the total number of outside animals allowed. This total may be any combination of the above listed animals (for example, three (3) dogs, one (1) goat, and one (1) sheep).

** This is the total number of this animal type that is allowed as part of the total number of animals allowed based on lot size (for example, three (3) sheep would not be allowed on a lot of less than fifteen thousand one (15,001) square feet). All animals and fowl shall be kept in a confined area and maintained. Any covered structure used to house any outside animal shall conform to all yard setback requirements. No confinement area shall be located within a critical (sensitive) area or its buffers.

*** Not exceeding forty (40) pounds at full maturity.

C. Animals that are kept indoors, but are allowed outside for more than one (1) hour per day, shall be defined as outdoor animals.

D. A hobby kennel license is required for four (4) or more dogs. A hobby cattery license is required for five (5) or more cats, per SMC 6.05.020, General provisions and licensing. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)

15.440.200 Horse/Equine Animal Regulations

A. Applicability.

1. Any horse or equine animals in existence at the date of the adoption of this code (or areas annexed into the City) shall be permitted to remain under the authority of a legal nonconforming use as specified under SMC 15.120.060, Nonconformance – Uses of Land, Horses/Equine Animals. Any new horses shall be permitted with the approval of a special district overlay as noted in SMC 15.315.300, Equestrian Overlay Zone.

2. All horses and equine animal locations and facilities (existing/proposed) shall be reviewed and approved by the Director or Code Enforcement Officer or designee to ensure compliance with the herein adopted health standards, pursuant to the standards established in SMC 15.315.300, Equestrian Overlay Zone. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)

15.440.300 Livestock Standards

Within the UL (urban low) land use classification, livestock which are kept as part of a school project or program by a public or private school located within the City shall be allowed on the school property so long as such animals are not kept in such a number or in such a manner as to pose a threat to public health, safety or welfare. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)