A. Household Pets. Household pets may be kept as an accessory use of residential property, provided they are kept in a humane and sanitary manner and in compliance with the provisions of this section.
B. Dogs. No more than three dogs over the age of three months shall be kept or maintained at any one place of residence, as designated by a single street address number in the City.
C. Bees. The keeping of honey bees is permitted in the RS and R1 zoning districts as a form of small animal keeping subject to the following standards to minimize impacts to nearby residents or the public:
1. A maximum of one hive shall be allowed for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area;
2. Hive(s) shall be registered with the Butte County Agricultural Commissioner;
3. An adequate fresh water supply shall be available for the bees on the subject parcel at all times;
4. The location of the hive(s) shall not be less than 100 feet from any public right-of-way or any occupied structure other than that of the occupant of the subject parcel.
5. All hive(s) shall be located at least six feet above ground, or an adequate flight dispersing barrier, such as a fence or landscaping of at least six feet in height, must be constructed and maintained around the hive(s); and
6. The hive(s) shall be maintained in compliance with state law and kept free of diseases and pests.
D. Offensive Animals. No persons shall keep, maintain, or have in their possession on any property owned or controlled by them any household pets or any other animals in a manner, number, or kind so as to cause damage or hazard to persons or property in the vicinity or to generate offensive dust, noise, or odor.
E. Site Requirements.
1. The number of animals which may be kept on a parcel is limited, as shown in Table 5-10, by the parcel's site area, exclusive of occupied structures and structures required by this section. Animals may be kept within an enclosure anywhere within the site area and are not required to have access to the entire site area.
2. Bulls, cows, goats, hogs, horses, pigs, and sheep shall not be kept within 25 feet of any side property line, nor within 50 feet of any adjacent street or occupied residences; and
3. Small animals shall not be kept within 20 feet of any occupied residences on adjacent parcels and may be kept within 10 feet of the owner’s occupied residence. Roosters shall not be allowed in the RS, R1, and TND zoning districts.
4. Storage of food for animal keeping shall be kept in sealed containers located in a dry, secure environment that prevents disturbance or infestation from stray animals, vermin, insects or any other source of contamination.
(Ord. 2223, Ord. 2358 §16, Ord. 2440 §49)
Land Use | Type of Animal Allowed | Minimum Site Area Required |
Large Animals | Horses, cattle, or hogs | 8,000 sq.ft. per animal |
Sheep or goats | 2,000 sq.ft. per animal | |
Other allowed large animals | 2,000 sq.ft. per animal | |
Small Animals | Poultry, rabbits, miniature pot-bellied pigs, and other similarly allowed small animals | 100 sq.ft. per animal not within 20 feet of occupied residences on adjacent parcels; 10 sq. ft. per animal within 10 feet of owner’s residence. |
(Ord. 2494 §49)