(A) Purpose. The intent of this section is to permit the use and enjoyment of horses and farm animals at rates that are appropriate for the health, welfare, and safety of the animals, neighboring property owners, and the public. This type of agriculture use should also be conducted in a manner that protects the values and aesthetic of the community.
(B) The keeping of horses is permitted in the R-l, R-2, and R-3 Zoning Districts only, with the following requirements:
(1) The minimum property size shall be two acres for the first horse, and an additional acre for each horse thereafter.
(2) Pasture areas shall be properly fenced, provided that any fencing in a front yard does not exceed five feet and is transparent.
(C) The keeping of farm animals such as chickens, ducks, goat, sheep, pigs, cows, or other animals as determined by the Director, may be permitted on a property of at least five acres in the R-l, R-2, and R-3 Zoning Districts. Furthermore, farm animals shall be classified into two categories, small farm animals and large farm animals. Farm animals who have not reached mature adulthood shall not count against any animal quantity restrictions. For the purpose of this section, small farm animals are chickens, ducks, pygmy goats, and the like. Large farm animals are cows, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, donkeys, and the like. Farm animal quantities shall be limited as follows:
(1) The keeping of small farm animals shall be limited to three small farm animals per acre.
(2) The keeping of large farm animals shall be limited to one large farm animal per acre.
(3) Structures, kennels, stalls, coops, pens, and other elements to house farm animals on the immediate surrounding property controlling the movement of those farm animals shall be considered confinement areas and limited in size. Confinement areas shall be limited to 10% coverage of the total lot area of the property. Confinement areas shall not be in a front yard.
(4) Small farm animal confinement areas shall be a minimum of 50 feet from any side or rear property line.
(5) Large animal confinement areas shall be a minimum of 100 feet from any side or rear property line. Pastures for cattle shall not be considered a confinement area. Fencing for cattle pasture shall be a minimum of ten feet from any side or rear property, and 30 feet from any front property line. Front yard fencing shall be limited to five feet in height.
(D) Under no circumstance shall the provisions of this section be interpreted to allow a confined animal feeding operation or the like. These standards do not apply to an existing legal, non-conforming farm animal use.
(Ord. 111020C, passed 12-8-2020)