Chapter 20.130
ANIMALS
Sections:
20.130.030 Keeping of offspring.
20.130.040 Community animal shelter.
20.130.050 Fencing of animals.
20.130.060 Commercial horse and pony boarding, riding stables, and schools.
20.130.090 Animal outbuildings.
20.130.010 Purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to regulate the type, location, and number of animals within the community so as to allow their enjoyment without causing nuisance conditions or health hazards.
20.130.020 Minimum standards.
Possession of animals for individual domestic purposes not including commercial operations shall conform to the minimum standards below. When minimum land area requirements are designated, they are considered exclusive, to be met independent of minimum land area requirements for other permitted uses, such as residences.
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Type of Animal |
Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
|
A. Bees |
Section 20.130.080. |
|
B. Cows |
A minimum of 10,000 square feet of open fenced area per cow is required. |
|
C. Dogs and Cats |
No more than three dogs and cats, or any combination thereof four months of age or older, shall be permitted per dwelling unit. |
|
D. Fowls and Rabbits |
No more than 50 rabbits are permitted per lot, provided the animals are housed in a coop or other shelter which is further enclosed by a fence. No more than 10 domestic fowl are permitted per lot, provided the animals are housed in a coop or other shelter which is further enclosed by a fence. Domestic fowl must be properly housed at all times. Roosters are not permitted. |
|
E. Horses, Mules, Donkeys, Burros |
A minimum of 10,000 square feet of open fenced area per horse, mule, donkey, or burro is required. |
|
F. Miniature Horses, Sheep and Goats |
A minimum of 5,000 square feet of open fenced area is required per animal. |
|
G. Swine |
Not permitted except miniature pigs as provided in Chapter 6.19. |
|
H. Any type of animal not addressed in this section |
Refer to Title 6 for animal control provisions. |
(Ord. 2019-11 § 1, 2019: Ord. 2004-17 § 4, 2004: Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 98-14 § 4, 1998).
20.130.030 Keeping of offspring.
Offspring of animals legally permitted under the provisions of this chapter may be kept for a period not exceeding four months. Beyond this period, offspring must meet the per animal area and use limitations of this chapter.
20.130.040 Community animal shelter.
A community animal shelter is a place where dogs, cats or other stray or homeless animals are sheltered as part of a community animal control and protection program. Activities and services may include kenneling, animal clinic, pet counseling and sales, as well as animal disposal. The following criteria shall be considered when a conditional use application (Level III) is being reviewed for a community animal shelter in a Highway Commercial or Airport Development zoning district:
A. Noise;
B. Proximity to and compatibility with nearby residences or residential districts;
C. Lot size and isolation;
D. Location of kennel facilities;
E. Screening and buffering;
F. Number of animal accommodations;
G. Sanitation and health conditions;
H. Odor. (Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 98-14 § 6, 1998).
20.130.050 Fencing of animals.
Fencing, when installed, shall be of a nonpenetrable type, so as to reduce nuisance impact on adjacent land uses. Electric fences and barbed wire fences shall comply with Chapter 20.110 of this code.
20.130.060 Commercial horse and pony boarding, riding stables, and schools.
Commercial horse and pony boarding, riding stables, and schools where permitted, shall provide a minimum of one acre for each horse or pony with a minimum of five acres regardless of the number of animals. The animals shall be sheltered in suitable, clean structures.
20.130.070 Kennels.
Animal kennels where permitted shall shelter all overnight boarders in suitable structures which provide a clean and uncrowded environment. All structures and runs associated with the kennel shall be no closer than one hundred feet from any property line. In addition to complying with the above requirements, the following criteria shall be considered when a conditional use permit application (Level III) is being reviewed for an animal kennel:
A. Noise;
B. Proximity to and compatibility with nearby residences or residential districts;
C. Lot size and isolation;
D. Location of kennel facilities;
E. Screening and buffering;
F. Number of animal accommodations;
G. Sanitation and health conditions;
H. Odor. (Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 98-14 § 3, 1998).
20.130.080 Beekeeping.
Beekeeping is permitted in all zoning districts subject to the following requirements:
A. A maximum of three hives are permitted on lots up to ten thousand square feet.
B. A maximum of eight hives are permitted on lots of ten thousand one to thirty-five thousand square feet.
C. A maximum of fifteen hives are permitted on lots over thirty-five thousand square feet.
D. State statutes and regulations regarding apiaries must be met. Hives shall be registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture as provided in RCW 15.60.021.
E. The distance from property lines to the nearest hive shall be no less than ten feet. (Ord. 2023-33 § 8, 2023).
20.130.090 Animal outbuildings.
Structures designed for sheltering dogs shall be no closer than three feet from any property line. All buildings or structures designed for the sheltering of all other animals legally permitted by the provisions of this chapter shall be located no closer than ten feet from any property line. (Ord. 2019-11 § 2, 2019).