40.260.235 Urban Livestock

A.    Purpose.

    The purpose of this section is to allow for the protection and preservation of livestock within urban growth areas of the county through the use of best management practices while protecting the uses on neighboring parcels.

B.    Applicability.

1.    This section shall apply to all parcels in the county within urban growth boundaries but outside city limits.

2.    Agricultural uses involving livestock on parcels brought into an urban growth boundary are exempt from the provisions of this section.

3.    New agricultural uses involving livestock on a parcel in an urban growth area with an approved development application shall meet the standards in Section 40.260.235(D).

C.    Definitions.

    For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

Livestock	“Livestock” means any horse, mule, burro, dairy or beef animal, camelid, goat, sheep, swine, rabbit and poultry.
Livestock, large	“Large livestock” means any livestock weighing more than five hundred (500) pounds.
Livestock, small	“Small livestock” means: •    Hogs, excluding pigs weighing under one hundred twenty (120) pounds and standing twenty (20) inches or less at the shoulder which are kept as household pets; or •    Any livestock weighing less than five hundred (500) pounds.

D.    Development Standards.

1.    The development standards of the underlying zone shall apply, except that the setbacks for new structures used for large livestock shall be twenty (20) feet from all property lines.

2.    Livestock Plans.

a.    Pursuant to Section 40.260.235(B)(3), a livestock plan that addresses the following shall be developed and implemented:

i.    Housing and confinement;

ii.    Animal husbandry;

iii.    Manure management; and

iv.    Odor and noise management.

b.    Urban livestock owners may create their own plans or seek assistance from livestock management organizations such as Clark Conservation District to create a plan.

c.    Information on best management practices, including but not limited to the following, will be used as the basis for livestock plans:

i.    Healthy Horses, Clean Water, Clark Conservation District, 2006;

ii.    Tips on Land and Water Management for Small Acreages in Southwest Washington, Clark Conservation District, 2001; and

iii.    From the WSU Extension Service Small Acreage Program:

(A)    Keeping Clean Water Clean and Reducing Mud: Managing Roof Runoff;

(B)    Reduce Mud and Keep Water Clean: Sacrifice Areas;

(C)    Self Assessment Guide for Small Acreages;

(D)    How Green is Your Grass: Five Steps to Better Pasture and Grazing Management; and

(E)    Composting Manure on Your Property.

d.    Plans shall be approved by the responsible official through a Type I process.

e.    Plans are not required for small livestock that are either caged or that spend all hours indoors.

3.    Buildings used for urban livestock shall comply with the applicable requirements of Title 14.

E.    Education and Technical Assistance.

    All urban livestock owners are encouraged to use guidance documents and work with the Clark Conservation District, WSU Extension, or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for implementing best management practices related to livestock and livestock waste management.

F.    Enforceability.

1.    Substantiated complaints from three (3) separate households regarding livestock will require the development and approval of a livestock plan pursuant to Section 40.260.235(D).

2.    Failure to provide and comply with a livestock plan constitutes a nuisance violation and shall be enforced in accordance with the civil provisions of Title 32.

(Amended: Ord. 2009-10-04)