Title
Ordinance No. 14-28 amending Sections 102 (Definitions), 106 (Animals Kept on Premises; Sanitary Requirements), and 110 (Specific Animals Prohibited; Exceptions) of Article 7 (Regulation of Animals - General Provisions), adding Section 108 (Registration of Hoofed Pets) to Article 8 (Regulation of Animals - Dogs and Cats), and amending Section 102 (Hoofed Animals Kept On-Premises; Zoning Requirements) of Article 9 (Regulation of Animals - Hoofed Animals), all of Chapter 6 (Neighborhood Vitality/Community Health) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to hoofed pets.
Body
Summary: This ordinance will modify City Code to allow hoofed animals, weighing less than 100lbs at maturity, to be treated as pets. This change is requested to allow residents to own small goats on their private property, for purposes of urban homesteading. There are a growing number of local residents who want to produce some of their food to save on food costs, to sell their home-produced food, and to have better access to healthy and organic foods.
Current city code allows hoofed pets within the city limits on a minimum lot area of thirty seven thousand (37,000) square feet. This prevents many residents from owning miniature female goats for milking purposes and wethered, or non-breeding, male goats.
This code change will allow residents to own hoofed pets under the same laws regulating cat and dog ownership, meaning there will not be a land size requirement or a fencing requirement for miniature goats.
Specifically, hoofed pets must:
· Abide by noise ordinances
· Abide by odor ordinances
· Secure a registration and license
· Secure all necessary inoculations
· Must always be under the control of its owner
Previous Council Action: None.
Background: Currently, all hoofed animals are listed as Stable Animals within Chapter 6 of City Code as follows:
Stables And Corrals, Private: Private stables and corrals for up to four (4) horses, mules, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas, potbellied pigs or any combination thereof are permitted as a residential accessory use within any residential zone in accord with the requirements noted in sections 6.7.106 and 6.9.101 of this Code and under the following conditions:
1. The subject lot must have a minimum lot area of thirty seven thousand (37,000) square feet;
2. All buildings and corrals must be constructed at least fifty five feet (55') from the building envelope of the adjoining lot.
Financial Implications: None.
Board/Commission Recommendation: This item was brought to the Planning Commission during a work session. There was much discussion, but no opposition to allowing miniature goats to be treated as pets, within the city limits. Since this ordinance does not modify chapter 7 of City Code, it is not necessary to receive a formal recommendation from Planning Commission.
Body
Stakeholder process:
· Engaged the Planning Department to assist with zoning issues,
· Met with the City Attorney's office to ensure the ordinance is sound, follows all zoning ordinances, and to draft ordinance;
· Met with and received input from the Humane Society; their input is incorporated within the ordinance;
· Councilmember Gaebler also spoke to the Council of Neighbors and Organizations and the Home Builders Association. All suggested items have been incorporated into the draft ordinance.
Alternative: N/A
Recommendation:
Recommended Action
Request City Council approve the draft ordinance, which allows female, hoofed animals weighing less than 100lbs to be treated as pets.
Proposed Motion: N/A