.010 Animal Maintenance – General. The keeping of animals for domestic, noncommercial use shall be permitted in residential zones, subject to the provisions of Chapter 8.24 (Adoption of Animal Control Ordinances of the County of Orange, California) and this section.
.020 Animal Confinement.
.0201 Methods. Animals shall be tethered or maintained in coops, corrals, stables, or by other means of confinement satisfactory to the Planning Department.
.0202 Distance. No equine, bovine, sheep, swine, goat or bird shall be kept, stabled, tethered, corralled or confined in any manner within fifty (50) feet of any structure used for human habitation, other than that of the owner, or within twenty (20) feet of any property line, except when kept in the dwelling.
.030 Number of Equine Animals. No equine animal shall be kept, stabled, tethered or otherwise maintained on any parcel of property of less than one (1) acre (43,560 square feet) in area, unless otherwise specified in the underlying zone. Further, not more than one (1) adult animal and its immature offspring of less than eight (8) months in age shall be permitted per each quarter-acre (10,890 square feet). If this calculation results in 0.5 or more of an animal, the number shall be rounded up to the next whole animal.
.040 Number of Bovine, Sheep, Goats and Swine. No bovine, sheep, goat or swine (except for pot-bellied pigs, which are regulated in subsection .080 below) shall be kept, stabled, tethered or otherwise maintained on any parcel of less than one acre (43,560 square feet) in area, unless otherwise specified in the underlying zone. Further, not more than one (1) such animal shall be permitted per each half-acre (21,780 square feet). If this calculation results in 0.5 or more of an animal, the number shall be rounded up to the next whole animal.
.050 Number of Poultry, Birds, Rabbits and Rodents. The number of poultry, birds, rabbits, and rodents shall not exceed one (1) animal per each eighteen hundred (1,800) square feet of the area of the lot upon which the animal is to be maintained; provided, however, that roosters and peacocks shall not be permitted in any residential zone, unless otherwise specified in the underlying zone. If this calculation results in 0.5 or more of an animal, the number shall be rounded up to the next whole animal.
.060 Number of Dogs. The number of dogs per dwelling unit shall not exceed three (3) animals over the age of four (4) months. A noncommercial kennel may be permitted, subject to the approval of Animal Care Services of the Orange County Health Care Agency.
.070 Number of Cats. Domestic housecats per dwelling unit shall not exceed three (3) animals over the age of four (4) months. A noncommercial kennel may be permitted, subject to the approval of Animal Care Services of the Orange County Health Care Agency.
.080 Pot-Bellied Pigs. Pot-bellied pigs (meaning a pig classified as Sus Scrofa and commonly referred to as a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, pygmy pig or mini-pig) shall be permitted subject to the following conditions:
.0801 Only one (1) pot-bellied pig may be kept on a residential lot;
.0802 Subsections .010 through .020 above shall apply;
.0803 The breeding of pot-bellied pigs is prohibited;
.0804 The pot-bellied pig shall be tested and vaccinated for leptospirosis and erisipelis, pseudo-rabies and any other communicable diseases for which a vaccine is available and generally recommended for such animals. Any person owning or having custody of a pot-bellied pig shall maintain an annual certificate from a licensed veterinarian that the vaccination(s) are current;
.0805 The pot-bellied pig shall weigh no more than two hundred (200) pounds, stand no higher than twenty (20) inches, measured from the shoulders, and shall be no longer than forty (40) inches, measured from the tip of the head to the end of the buttock. Any person owning or having custody of a pot-bellied pig shall maintain an annual health certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian, identifying the weight, height and length of the pig;
.0806 A male pot-bellied pig older than two (2) years shall have its tusks removed, cut or filed to a length of less than two (2) inches by a licensed veterinarian;
.0807 The pot-bellied pig shall be spayed or neutered by two (2) months of age. Any person owning or having custody of a pot-bellied pig shall maintain a certificate of sterilization signed by a licensed veterinarian;
.0808 Upon request by the City, written certification of compliance with subparagraphs .0804 through .0807 from a licensed veterinarian shall be provided by the person owning or having custody of the pot-bellied pig;
.0809 The pot-bellied pig shall be restrained on a leash at all times, when removed from the premises;
.0810 An outdoor exercise area paved in concrete, secured with a perimeter fence, shall be provided for the pig at the rear or side of the property, in conformance with any applicable zoning provisions. The fence shall be designed and maintained to prevent escape from the enclosed area. If the pig is maintained outdoors exclusively, the exercise area shall be a minimum of two hundred (200) square feet in area. If the pig is primarily kept indoors, the outdoor exercise area shall be a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet in area. In addition, a wading pool or a reasonable substitute for such pool shall be provided during warm weather;
.0811 The premises shall be maintained in an odor-free, clean and sanitary manner. Droppings and other wastes shall be removed on a daily basis;
.0812 A pot-bellied pig shall be kept in compliance with all requirements of Animal Care Services of the Orange County Health Care Agency.
.090 Animal Husbandry Projects. Within the RH-1 Zone and the RH-2 Zone, greater numbers of animals than otherwise allowed by this section may be maintained on any lot for a period not to exceed eight (8) months, when in conjunction with an approved animal husbandry project sponsored by any bona fide educational organization including but not limited to: 4-H (Head, Hands, Heart and Health) or F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America) clubs, subject to approval by the Planning Department, in compliance with the following provisions:
.0901 Verification of participation in an animal husbandry project by the sponsoring organization, including the inclusive dates for the project, reasons for the project, type and number of animals requested, and such other information as deemed relevant for City approval;
.0902 A letter of intent listing all existing and proposed types and numbers of animals to be maintained on the premises, and the anticipated date of removal of any animals exceeding the maximum limitations specified in this section from the premises; and
.0903 Compliance with all other animal maintenance regulations specified in this section.
.100 Prohibited Animals. The keeping of animals not specifically mentioned in this chapter is prohibited, except as provided by Chapter 8.24 (Adoption of Animal Control Ordinances of the County of Orange, California).
.110 Resolution of Conflicts. In the event of a conflict between this section and Chapter 8.08 (Animal Control, Welfare and License Requirements) or Chapter 8.24 (Adopting of Animal Control Ordinances of the County of Orange, California), the provisions of this section shall control. (Ord. 5920 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6555 § 33; April 4, 2023.)