§ 22.37.030. Animals.

A.

Lots two acres in size and larger are allowed one USDA Animal Unit (AU) per acre (defined as one thousand pounds of live weight of any given livestock species or combination of livestock species).

1.

Animal structures such as barns are not allowed within fifty feet of a property line, except for the following:

a.

Structures for the animals and amounts of animals listed in subsection B of this section; and

b.

Structures for pet animals kept in accordance with Chapter 9.10 Animal Control.

2.

Roosters over twelve weeks of age, geese, and peacocks are prohibited.

B.

Lots smaller than two acres in size are allowed the following types and number of small farm animals:

1.

Chickens.

a.

Lots one-quarter acre and smaller are allowed up to five female chickens. Lots between one-quarter acre and one acre are allowed up to 20 female chickens. Lots one acre and larger are allowed up to twenty female chickens per half acre.

b.

Roosters over twelve weeks of age, geese, and peacocks are prohibited.

c.

The chickens must be confined to the property.

d.

Suitable sanitary enclosures (chicken coops) must be provided that are easily accessed and cleaned and must be designed to protect animals from weather and predators. The enclosures may not be located within five feet of rear or side property lines. Enclosures are not allowed within fifteen feet of the front property line. Through lots are allowed to have an enclosure within five feet of a property line in one of the front yards; provided, that yard is at the back or side of the structure.

e.

Structures must be designed to prevent rodents by incorporation of one of the following:

•

Raising the floor area a minimum of eight inches above grade.

•

Portable pens moved every few days with cleanup of ground.

•

Other techniques that have similar results.

2.

Other Animals. Rabbits, miniature goats, ducks, turkeys, and miniature potbelly pigs are allowed in addition to the chickens allowed in subsection B.1 of this section subject to the following restrictions:

a.

Rabbits. Lots one-quarter acre (ten thousand eight hundred ninety square feet) and smaller are allowed up to five rabbits. Lots between one-quarter acre and one acre are allowed up to nine rabbits. Lots one acre and larger are allowed ten rabbits plus one additional rabbit for every additional one thousand square feet of lot area beyond one acre.

i.

Structures must be designed to prevent rodents by incorporation of one of the following:

•

Raising the floor area a minimum of eight inches above grade.

•

Portable pens moved every few days with cleanup of ground.

•

Other techniques that have similar results.

b.

Miniature Goats, commonly known as pygmy, dwarf and miniature goats. Lots between five thousand square feet and one-quarter acre (ten thousand eight hundred ninety square feet) in size are allowed up to two miniature goats. Lots between one-quarter acre and one acre are allowed up to four miniature goats. Lots one acre and larger are allowed up to six miniature goats. Nursing offspring of miniature goats may be kept until weaned, no longer than twelve weeks from birth.

i.

Structures housing miniature goats must follow best management practices, including:

a)

Designed to protect from weather and predators and to prevent rodents;

b)

Confined within a suitable fenced area, large enough for appropriate exercise.

c.

Four of any combination of ducks or turkeys are allowed on lots at larger than seven thousand five hundred square feet in size.

i.

Structures must be designed to prevent rodents by incorporation of one of the following:

•

Raising the floor area a minimum of eight inches above grade.

•

Portable pens moved every few days with cleanup of ground.

•

Other techniques that have similar results.

d.

Miniature Potbelly Pigs. The type of swine commonly known as the Vietnamese, Chinese, or Asian Potbelly Pig (Sus scrofa bittatus). One miniature potbelly pig per dwelling unit may be kept, provided that no swine is greater than twenty-two inches in height at the shoulder or more than one hundred fifty pounds in weight.

e.

Suitable sanitary enclosures must be provided that are easily accessed and cleaned and must be designed to protect animals from weather and predators. Droppings from animals shall be removed and properly disposed of as needed to prevent accumulation and to avoid a health or sanitation problem.

f.

Animal enclosures may not be located within five feet of rear or side property lines. Enclosures are not allowed within fifteen feet of the front property line. Through lots are allowed to have an enclosure within five feet of a property line in one of the front yards; provided, that yard is at the back or side of the structure.

3.

Beekeeping is allowed outright as an accessory use, when registered with the State Department of Agriculture according to provisions of RCW 15.60.021, provided that:

a.

Beekeeping may include honey bees, mason bees, cutter bees, cavity nesting bees or similar bees used for honey or pollination purposes.

b.

A maximum of four hives, each with only one swarm, are allowed on lots of less than ten thousand square feet.

c.

Hives shall not be located within twenty-five feet of any lot line, provided this distance may be reduced to ten feet if strategies are employed to require bees to gain elevation before crossing the property line. This may include elevation changes of eight feet or more above the grade immediately adjacent to the grade of the lot on which the hives are located or behind a solid fence or hedge six feet high parallel to any lot line within twenty-five feet of a hive and extending at least twenty feet beyond the hive in both directions.

4.

Cows, horses, sheep, non-miniature goats, swine (other than potbelly pigs), and other similar large farm animals are not allowed as an accessory use on lots less than two acres in size.

C.

Running at Large. It is unlawful for any person, persons, firm, association or corporation owning or having control of any animal to permit or suffer any such animals to escape from their control or allow them to be upon premises of another without permission, or on the streets, sidewalks or ways of the county or upon any property not owned, leased or occupied by such person, persons, firm, association or corporation.

D.

Acreage Calculation. For the determination of the number of allowable animal units per acre, the acreage is calculated by measuring the area of a lot less the portion of the lot that is undevelopable due to critical areas, existing development, or other site conditions that make utilizing that portion of the lot unfeasible for agriculture or activities related to agriculture including product storage, sales, processing, etc. The acreage total includes contiguous lots that are also being utilized by the same agriculture operation. In instances where urban farms utilize lots that are not contiguous, they are to be considered separate uses for the size calculation. For the purposes of this calculation, lots on opposite sides of a public right-of-way are not to be considered contiguous.

(Ord. No. 15304, § 2(Att. A), 6-7-2016)