Chapter 7.05
PROHIBITED ANIMALS

Sections:

7.05.010    PROHIBITED ANIMALS.

7.05.020    VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.

7.05.010 PROHIBITED ANIMALS.

The keeping or maintenance of the following animals is prohibited within the City limits except as otherwise provided herein:

(a)    Venomous, Poisonous, or Wild Animals. Possession of any creature that is venomous (excluding bees), poisonous, or wild is prohibited. Prohibited animals include, but are not limited to, lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, cougars, mountain lions, badgers, wolves, hybrids, coyotes, fox, lynx, alligators, caiman, crocodiles, snakes over seven (7) feet in length, or any venomous/poisonous creature.

(b)    Livestock. Possession of livestock is prohibited, except that:

(1)    This provision shall not apply to the transporting of livestock through the City when such entry into the City is of minimal duration and the livestock are properly secured for transport in a cage or other suitable enclosure.

(2)    Chickens may be kept or maintained in the City if licensed pursuant to Chapter 7.06 BMC.

(3)    Goats may be temporarily kept or maintained in the City for the specific purpose of vegetation control provided they are:

(i)    Kept or maintained no more than once during any six (6) month period and for no more than fifteen (15) consecutive days per occasion at any particular location unless otherwise approved by the Mayor or designee or animal control authority. For the purpose of this subsection, “location” means a lot and/or adjoining lots where the vegetation control is being performed;

(ii)    Tethered, supervised on site, or are maintained within a securely fenced area; and

(iii)    Their housing in the City does not cause a public health or safety issue.

(4)    Owners and authorized occupants of property annexed to the City upon which livestock is maintained on the date of annexation may continue to maintain livestock on the property unless ordered otherwise by the City Hearing Examiner in a code enforcement proceeding due to public health and safety concerns. During said time, there may not be an expansion of livestock or livestock activity on the property beyond that which existed at the time of annexation. This annexation exemption applies until such time as title to the property is transferred to a new owner.

(c)    Exempt Organizations and Activities. The following organizations and activities are exempt from the prohibitions set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section:

(1)    State-registered wildlife rehabilitation centers with regard to care and rehabilitation of those wild animals that are indigenous to North America.

(2)    Licensed trappers and animal welfare organizations.

(3)    Circuses, zoos, museums, and similar facilities when licensed or permitted if proper safeguards are taken to protect the public.

(4)    Special events, festivals, parades and other similar activities and uses when licensed or permitted for short-term limited purposes if proper safeguards are taken to protect the public as required in the licensing or event permitting process.

(5)    An unlicensed or unpermitted activity or event for a one (1) time, short-term limited purpose:

(i)    When approved by the Mayor or designee;

(ii)    For a period not to exceed five (5) consecutive days; and

(iii)    When proper safeguards are taken to protect the public. (Ord. 5322 §1 (part), 2017: Ord. 5283 §1 (part), 2015: Ord. 5000 §3, 2007: Ord. 4949 §1 (part), 2005)

7.05.020 VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.

(a)    Violation. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or maintain any prohibited animals subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(b)    Civil Infraction. Any violation of subsection (a) of this section shall constitute a civil infraction punishable by a maximum penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), not including statutory assessments.

(c)    Misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of subsection (a) of this section by any person within a twelve (12) month period shall constitute a misdemeanor pursuant to BMC 1.12.020(2). (Ord. 5322 §1 (part), 2017: Ord. 5283 §1 (part), 2015: Ord. 4949 §1 (part), 2005)