Chapter 8.08
KEEPING OF FOWL AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Sections:
8.08.010 Keeping of small farm animals.
8.08.020 Keeping of large farm animals.
8.08.040 Domestic animals running at large restricted.
8.08.045 Animal sanitation in public places.
8.08.010 Keeping of small farm animals.
The keeping of small farm animals, including chickens, geese, ducks or other domestic fowl, rabbits, and miniature goats, is permitted subject to the following standards:
(1) The maximum number of all fowl permitted accessory to a residence shall be:
(a) One per 1,000 square feet of lot area on lots less than one-half acre.
(b) One per 500 square feet of lot area on lots greater than one-half acre.
(2) Rabbits kept in accordance with the recommendations of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and a minimum three and one-half square feet of hutch space per rabbit up to a maximum of two dozen rabbits.
(3) Structures housing domestic fowl or rabbits must be located and designed as follows:
(a) Located 50 feet away from the nearest portion of any residence, dwelling, hotel, or apartment house, now existing or hereafter constructed, except that a runway or enclosure may be 25 feet.
(b) Designed to prevent rodents by incorporation of one of the following:
(i) Raising the floor area eight to 12 inches above grade;
(ii) Portable pens moved every few days with cleanup of ground; or
(iii) Other techniques that have similar results.
(4) Miniature goats commonly known as pygmy, dwarf and miniature goats provided:
(a) Male miniature goats are neutered;
(b) Lots accommodating miniature goats must be a minimum of 6,000 square feet and may be allowed at a ratio of two miniature goats per 10,000 square feet of property. (Ord. 3156 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2463 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1069 § 1, 1943).
8.08.020 Keeping of large farm animals.
The keeping of large farm animals is permitted on properties over one acre; provided, that the property contains a minimum of one-half acre of lot area available as pasture, yard, or stall space for each such animal in any combination. Any pen or building shall be located at least 100 feet from the nearest portion of any residence, dwelling, hotel, apartment house, or rooming house, now existing and hereafter constructed, owned by any other person within the city. (Ord. 3156 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2463 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1069 § 2, 1943).
8.08.030 Keeping of bees.
The keeping of bees is permitted subject to the following criteria:
(1) Beekeeping may include honey bees, mason bees, cutter bees, cavity nesting bees or similar bees used for honey or pollination purposes.
(2) Honey bees must be registered with the State Department of Agriculture according to provisions of RCW 15.60.021 and meet the following restrictions:
(a) A maximum of two honey bee hives on property up to one-quarter acre, or up to four hives on property one-quarter to one acre, plus two hives per additional acre, is permitted as an accessory use to a single-family home;
(b) Honey bee hives shall not be located within 25 feet of any lot line, provided this distance may be reduced to 10 feet if strategies are employed to require bees to gain elevation before crossing the property line. This may include elevation changes, solid fencing or other techniques that can achieve this objective.
(3) Area housing bee varieties other than honey bees must be a minimum of 10 feet from adjacent properties and limited in size appropriate for pollination of the owner’s lot. (Ord. 3156 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2463 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1069 § 3, 1943).
8.08.040 Domestic animals running at large restricted.
It is unlawful for any person owning or having the charge and control of any of the domestic animals as defined in PMC 8.08.010, 8.08.020 and 8.08.030 to permit the same to run at large upon any of the streets, alleys or public places within the corporate limits of the city. (Ord. 2463 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1069 § 4, 1943).
8.08.045 Animal sanitation in public places.
Where any animal, with the exception of domestic cats, deposits any fecal matter upon any public sidewalk, street, alley or within any city park, playground, or cemetery, or upon any other public place, the keeper of said animal shall remove and dispose of such fecal matter before the keeper of the animal leaves the immediate area where the fecal matter was deposited. For purposes of this section, the “keeper of an animal” shall mean the person who has immediate possession and control of the animal while the animal is on public property as set forth above. (Ord. 2603 § 1, 1999).
8.08.050 Violation – Punishment.
Repealed by Ord. 3205. (Ord. 3029 § 9, 2013; Ord. 2463 § 1, 1995).