Chapter 21A.65
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS – ANIMALS, HOME OCCUPATION, HOME INDUSTRY

Sections:

21A.65.010    Purpose.

21A.65.020    Animal regulations – Small animals.

21A.65.030    Animal regulations – Livestock – Management standards.

21A.65.040    Animal regulations – Livestock – Building requirements.

21A.65.050    Home occupation.

21A.65.060    Home industry.

21A.65.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to enhance and preserve the compatibility between neighboring properties by regulating the scope and intensity of accessory uses or activities. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.65.020 Animal regulations – Small animals.

The raising, keeping, breeding, or fee boarding of small animals is subject to Chapter 11.04 KCC as adopted by Chapter 11.05 SMC, Animal Control, and the following requirements:

(1) Small animals that are kept indoors as household pets in aquariums, terrariums, cages or similar containers shall not be limited in number, except as may be provided in KCC Title 11 as adopted by Chapter 11.05 SMC.

(2) Other small animals kept indoors as household pets shall be limited to five, of which not more than three may be unaltered cats or dogs. Other small animals kept outside, including adult cats and dogs, shall be limited to three per household on lots of less than 20,000 square feet, five per household on lots of 20,000 to 35,000 square feet, with an additional two per acre of site area over 35,000 square feet up to a maximum of 20, unless more are allowed as an accessory use pursuant to subsection (5) of this section; provided, that all unaltered animals kept outdoors must be kept on a leash or in a confined area, except as authorized for a hobby kennel or cattery or commercial kennel or cattery pursuant to Chapter 11.04 KCC as adopted by Chapter 11.05 SMC.

(3) Excluding kennels and catteries, the total number of unaltered adult cats and/or dogs per household shall not exceed three.

(4) Animals considered to be household pets shall be treated as other small animals pursuant to subsection (5) of this section when they are kept for commercial breeding, boarding or training.

(5) Small animals and household pets kept as an accessory use outside the dwelling shall be raised, kept or bred only as an accessory use on the premises of the owner, or in a kennel or cattery approved through the conditional use permit process, subject to the following limitations:

(a) Birds shall be kept in an aviary or loft that meets the following standards:

(i) The aviary or loft shall provide one-half square foot for each parakeet, canary or similarly sized bird, one square foot for each pigeon, small parrot or similarly sized bird, and two square feet for each large parrot, macaw or similarly sized bird.

(ii) Aviaries or lofts shall not exceed 2,000 square feet.

(iii) The aviary is set back at least 10 feet from any property line, and 20 feet from any dwelling unit.

(b) Small animals other than birds shall be kept according to the following standards:

(i) The minimum site area shall be one-half acre if more than three small animals are being kept.

(ii) All animals shall be confined within a building, pen, aviary or similar structure.

(iii) Any covered structure used to house or contain such animals shall maintain a distance of not less than 10 feet to any property line, except structures used to house mink and fox shall be a distance of not less than 150 feet.

(iv) Poultry, chicken, squab, and rabbits are limited to a maximum of one animal per one square foot of structure used to house such animals, up to a maximum of 2,000 square feet.

(v) Hamsters and chinchillas are limited to a maximum of one animal per square foot of structure used to house such animals, up to a maximum of 2,000 square feet.

(vi) Mink and fox are permitted only on sites having a minimum area of five acres.

(vii) Beekeeping is limited as follows:

(A) Beehives are limited to 50 on sites less than five acres;

(B) The number of beehives shall not be limited on sites of five acres or greater;

(C) Colonies shall be maintained in movable-frame hives at all times;

(D) Adequate space shall be provided in each hive to prevent overcrowding and swarming;

(E) Colonies shall be requeened following any swarming or aggressive behavior;

(F) All colonies shall be registered with the King County extension agent prior to April 1st of each year on a state registration form acceptable to the county; and

(G) Abandoned colonies, diseased bees, or bees living in trees, buildings, or any other space except in movable-frame hives shall constitute a public nuisance, and shall be abated as set forth in Chapter 21A.115 SMC, Enforcement. (Ord. O2011-299 § 2 (Att. B); Ord. O2009-249 § 1; Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.65.030 Animal regulations – Livestock – Management standards.

Buffer areas shall not be subject to public access, use or dedication by reason of the establishment of such buffers. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.65.040 Animal regulations – Livestock – Building requirements.

(1) In residential zones, fee boarding of livestock other than in a legally established stable shall only be as an accessory use to a residence on the subject property (see also SMC 21A.25.140 for setbacks related to manure storage); and

(2) A barn or stable may contain a caretaker’s accessory living quarters. (Ord. O2009-249 § 1; Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.65.050 Home occupation.

Residents of a dwelling unit may conduct one or more home occupations as accessory activities, provided:

(1) The total area devoted to all home occupation(s) shall not exceed 20 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit. Areas with attached garages and storage buildings shall not be considered part of the dwelling unit for purposes of calculating allowable home occupation area but may be used for storage of goods associated with the home occupation;

(2) In residential zones, all the activities of the home occupation(s) shall be conducted indoors, except for those related to growing or storing of plants used by the home occupation(s) or Daycare 1;

(3) No more than one nonresident shall work at the home occupation(s) location;

(4) The following activities shall be prohibited in residential zones only:

(a) Automobile, truck and heavy equipment repair;

(b) Autobody work or painting;

(c) Parking and storage of heavy equipment; and

(d) Storage of building materials for use on other properties;

(5) In addition to required parking for the dwelling unit, on-site parking shall be provided as follows:

(a) One stall for a nonresident employed by the home occupation(s); and

(b) One stall for patrons when services are rendered on site;

(6) Sales shall be limited to:

(a) Mail order sales;

(b) Telephone sales with off-site delivery; and

(c) Internet sales;

(7) Services to patrons shall be arranged by appointment or provided off site;

(8) The home occupation(s) may use or store a vehicle for pickup of materials used by the home occupation(s) or the distribution of products from the site, provided:

(a) No more than one such vehicle shall be allowed;

(b) Such vehicle shall not park within any required setback areas of the lot or on adjacent streets; and

(c) Such vehicle shall not exceed a weight capacity of one ton; and

(9) The home occupation(s) shall not use electrical or mechanical equipment that results in:

(a) A change to the occupancy type of the structure(s) used for the home occupation(s);

(b) Visual or audible interference in radio or television receivers, or electronic equipment located off premises; or

(c) Fluctuations in line voltage off premises;

(10) Uses not allowed as home occupations may be allowed as a home industry pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. O2009-249 § 1; Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.65.060 Home industry.

A resident may establish a home industry as an accessory activity, provided:

(1) The site area shall be no less than one acre;

(2) The area of the home industry shall not exceed 50 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit. Areas within attached garages and storage buildings shall not be considered part of the dwelling unit for purposes of calculating allowable home industry area but may be used for storage of goods associated with the home occupation;

(3) No more than four nonresidents shall be employed in a home industry;

(4) In addition to required parking for the dwelling unit, on-site parking shall be provided as follows:

(a) One stall for each nonresident employee of the home industry; and

(b) One stall for customer parking;

(5) Additional customer parking shall be calculated for areas devoted to the home industry at the rate of one stall per:

(a) One thousand square feet of building floor area; and

(b) Two thousand square feet of outdoor work or storage area;

(6) Sales shall be limited to items produced on-site, except for items collected, traded and occasionally sold by hobbyists, such as coins, stamps, and antiques;

(7) Ten feet of Type I landscaping shall be provided around portions of parking and outside storage areas that are otherwise visible from adjacent properties or public rights-of-way; and

(8) The director shall ensure compatibility of the home industry by:

(a) Limiting the type and size of equipment used by the home industry to those that are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood;

(b) Providing for setbacks or screening as needed to protect adjacent residential properties;

(c) Specifying hours of operation;

(d) Determining acceptable levels of outdoor lighting; and

(e) Requiring sound level tests for activities determined to produce sound levels that may be excessive. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)