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Household Pets, Exotic Animals, and Livestock
"Household pet" means dogs, cats and other domesticated species that are customarily kept as part of a residential use, as determined by the director. "Household pet" does not include a large domestic animal, as defined in Section 17.96.080 (Animals, Large Domestic). The director shall keep a list of animals she/he determines to be "household pets" and make this list available to the public.
(Ord. No. 529, § 19, 11-15-11)
17.96.080 - Animals, large domestic.
"Large domestic animals" means the following (any female with her offspring of under one year of age, shall be considered as one animal until weaned):
A.
Horses, which term includes all equines;
B.
Goats, which term includes all caprines, except uncastrated males, which are specifically prohibited after weaned; and
C.
Sheep, which term includes all ovines.
(Ord. 320 § 7 (part), 1997)
17.76.110 - Exotic animal permit.
A.
Purpose. The exotic animal permit is established to permit the keeping of animals that are not household pets, as defined in Section 17.96.945 (Household Pets).
B.
Procedure.
1.
Written applications shall be filed with the director; except, that no application shall be accepted if final action has been taken on an application requesting the same or substantially the same permit within the previous 12 months, unless the previous application is denied without prejudice by the director, or on appeal by the planning commission or city council. An application for an exotic animal permit shall contain the following information:
a.
The name and address of the applicant and of all persons owning any or all of the property proposed to be used. If applicant does not own the subject property, written permission from the owner or owners to make such application must be included with the application;
b.
The address and legal description of the subject property;
c.
The reason for the request;
d.
A sketch or plan indicating the area and dimensions of the building or enclosure in which the animal or animals are to be kept and the location and the dimensions of all other structures on the subject and adjacent properties; however, no sketch or plan shall be required if the subject of the application involves only the height of fences;
e.
The names and addresses of all persons who are shown on the latest available assessment roll of the county as owning property within 500 feet from the exterior boundaries of the subject lot or parcel;
f.
A fee, as established by resolution of the city council; and
g.
Other appropriate information as the director may require.
2.
The director shall mail a notice to all property owners shown on the application. The notice shall state the location of the subject property, the intent of the application and the recipient's right to oppose the permit. All opposition to the permit must be submitted in writing to the director within ten working days after the mailing of such notice.
3.
The director shall approve an application for an exotic animal permit where the information presented by the applicant substantiates the following findings:
a.
That the permit, if issued, will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare; and
b.
That the proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed use without material detriment to the use, enjoyment or valuation of properties in the vicinity of the site, and that the requested use is an appropriate use of the site.
4.
The director may impose such conditions on permits as are deemed necessary to insure that animals will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
5.
The director shall deny the application where the information presented by the applicant fails to substantiate the required findings to the satisfaction of the director.
6.
The notice of decision of an exotic animal permit shall be given by the director to the applicant and any interested person, pursuant to Section 17.80.040 (Notice of Decision by Director) of this title. Any interested party may appeal the director's decision to the planning commission pursuant to Section 17.80.050 (Appeal to Planning Commission) of this title. The decision of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council pursuant to Section 17.80.070 (Appeal to City Council) of this title.
7.
Each permit shall be permitted to continue until the lot(s) or parcel(s) is/are sold or transferred, unless a different time period is specified by the city. For purposes of this subsection, change of ownership shall not include inter-spousal transfers in cases of divorce, or inheritance by a spouse or child.
8.
The permit may be terminated upon the occurrence of the following:
a.
The subject lot or parcel is subdivided, reduced in size or is combined with one or more other lots or parcels; or
b.
A violation of any of the conditions upon which the permit was granted.
9.
The director shall cause each exotic animal permit that is issued to be recorded with the county recorder in order to provide notice of the terms of the permit.
(Ord. 320 § 7 (part), 1997)
(Ord. No. 529, § 18, 11-15-11)
A.
Large Domestic Animal Permit.
1.
Purpose. A large domestic animal permit may be issued by the director to allow the following large domestic animal keeping in an equestrian overlay (Q) district; provided, the review criteria described in Section 17.76.115(A)(3) can be made:
a.
The keeping of five to six large domestic animals on a developed lot or parcel;
b.
The keeping of one to six large domestic animals on a vacant lot or parcel which is contiguous to a developed lot that is under the same ownership or control as the vacant lot, not to exceed a total of six large domestic animals per lot.
2.
Application.
a.
Written application shall be filed with the director. The applicant shall be the owner of the land on which the animals will be kept. No application shall be accepted if final action has been taken on an application requesting the same or substantially the same permit within the previous 12 months, unless the previous application is denied without prejudice by the director, or on appeal by the planning commission or city council. An application to the director, for a large domestic animal permit shall be executed under the penalty of perjury and shall contain the following information:
i.
The name and address of the applicant and of all persons owning or leasing any or all of the property proposed to be used;
ii.
The address, legal description and ownership of the subject property;
iii.
The total number of animals presently being kept and proposed to be kept on the subject property;
iv.
A statement identifying the owner of each animal kept and/or proposed to be kept on the subject property;
v.
The reason for the request;
vi.
A sketch or plan indicating the area and dimensions of the building(s) or enclosure(s) in which the animal or animals are to be kept and the location and the dimensions of all other structures on the subject and adjacent properties; however, no sketch or plan shall be required if the subject of the application involves only the height of fences;
vii.
The names and addresses of all persons who are shown on the latest available assessment roll of the county as owning property adjacent to the proposed animal keeping use, including parcels which are located directly across any public or private right-of-way from the subject property;
viii.
A fee, as established by resolution of the city council; and
ix.
Other appropriate information as the director may require.
b.
The director shall mail a notice to all property owners and lessees shown on the application. The notice shall state the location of the subject property; the intent of the application; and the recipient's right to oppose the permit before the director. All opposition to the permit must be submitted in writing to the director within ten working days after the mailing of such notice.
3.
Review Criteria. The director shall approve an application for a large domestic animal permit, where the information presented by the applicant substantiates the following findings:
a.
The lot or parcel on which the animals will be kept meets the minimum lot area animal keeping requirements described in Section 17.46.020 (Number of Large Domestic Animals Permitted Without Approval of a Permit) of this title; and
b.
No more than four large domestic animals will be boarded on any developed lot, or on any combination of contiguous developed or vacant parcels which are under the same ownership or control as the developed lot. For purposes of this finding, "boarding" shall mean the keeping or maintaining of large domestic animals that are not owned by the owners or lessees of the lot or parcel upon which the animals are being kept or maintained.