16.44.040 Animal Keeping.
The purpose of this section is to ensure that the raising and maintenance of animals does not create an adverse impact on adjacent properties by reason of dust, noise, visual blight, odor, fumes, bright lights or insect infestations.
   A.   Pre-existing Uses. Any legally established noncommercial and nonconforming animal keeping use that be-came nonconforming upon adoption of this development code, shall be permitted to continue subject to Chapter 16.32 (Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels).
   B.   Existing Lots of Record. Animals may be kept on legally established lots of record that are less than the minimum lot size reference in Table 16.44.040-1 subject to compliance with setback regulations of the underlying zoning district and subject to approval by the director.
   C.   Permitted Uses. Animal keeping uses allowed in Article II (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses), shall comply with the standards provided in Table 16.44.040-1 below and with all other standards and requirements of this section and with all other applicable ordinances and regulations.
   D.   Exempt Uses. All permitted kennels shall be ruled exempt from the standards contained in Table 16.44.040-1, Animal Keeping Standards, and all other standards and requirements of this section.
   E.   Animal Keeping Standards.
      1.   The following standards shall apply to all animal keeping uses, where allowed within the residential zoning districts:
   TABLE 16.44.010-1
   ANIMAL KEEPING STANDARDS
Type of Animal
Allowable Zoning District
Maximum Number of Animals per Site
Minimum Lot Size
Type of Animal
Allowable Zoning District
Maximum Number of Animals per Site
Minimum Lot Size
Apiary (bees)
RR, ER
n/A
One-half (1/2) acre
Aviary
RR, ER
Fifty (50) birds per acre; more than fifty (50), subject to CUP
One-half (1/2) acre
Cats or dogs
All zones
Four animals each
None
All zones
Eight animals total
Two acres
Chickens
RR, ER, SF1
4
12
30
7,200 sq. ft. to .49 acre
.5 to 1 acre
>1 acre
Chinchilla, nutria, hamsters, guinea pigs, cavy and similar small animals (raising for commercial purposes)
RR, ER
Subject to a CUP
One acre
Exotic or wild animals
RR, ER
Subject to a CUP
One-half (1/2) acre
Frog farm
RR, ER
Subject to a CUP
One acre
Household pets (e.g., birds, domesticated rodents, non- poisonous reptiles)
All zones
No maximum
None
Poultry, fowl (not including chickens)
RR, ER
Thirty (30) animals per acre
One-half (1/2) acre
Pot belly pigs (les than eighty (80) lbs.)
All zones
Four pigs
Five thousand (5,000) sq. ft.
Large (e.g., equine, bovine, bison or similar sized animals)
RR, ER
Five per acre
One-half (1/2) acre
Medium (e.g., sheep, goats, and similar sized animals)
RR, ER
One per five thousand (5,000) sq. ft.
One-half (1/2) acre
Small (e.g., rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, and similar sized animals)
All zones
Six per five thousand (5,000) sq. ft. up to one acre. One acre or larger, maximum one hundred (100).
Five thousand (5,000) sq. ft.
 
         a.   Setbacks for grazing, arenas, or areas where animals are kept apply to typical corral and fence construction. Barns, sheds, and similar accessory structures shall be subject to the standards and setbacks of the particular zoning district.
   TABLE 16.44.040-2
 
Standard
Minimum Distance/Size
Setback Front
Zoning district setback
Side and rear
Minimum three feet
From any habitable dwelling
Minimum fifty (50) feet
Fence height
Minimum five feet
Corral size
Minimum two hundred eighty-eight (288) sq. ft. per animal (twelve (12) feet x twenty-four (24) feet) with a minimum ten foot interior dimensions
 
         b.   Apiaries, for the noncommercial use of occupants of the premises only, shall have all boxes or hives housing bees placed at least four hundred (400) feet from any highway, roads, or streets, any public school, park, property boundary or from any structure used as a dwelling or as a place of business. A water source shall be provided on-site.
         c.   Offspring born to an allowed animal kept on the site may be kept until the animals are weaned (cats and dogs - four months; large animals - six months; horses - twelve (12) months).
         d.   Rabbits shall be kept in an area with a wire mesh floor.
         e.   The keeping of animals shall be subject to the waste removal requirements of municipal code Chapter 8.28 and any otehr applicable laws and ordinances.
         f.   The keeping of animals shall comply with all local, county, state, and federal regulations including obtaining and maintaining applicable licenses.
      2.   A conditional use permit is required for the establishment of commercial and noncommercial dog kennels and catteries, dog training schools, small animal shelters, and dog and cat breeding establishments with outside runs subject to the requirements of the county health department and the following provisions:
         a.   The minimum parcel size shall be one acre.
         b.   Animal runs shall be an adequate size for animals held herein.
         c.   Animal runs shall be constructed or coated with non-porous material to discourage the breeding of ticks and other similar pests.
         d.   Animal runs and animal holding areas shall have concrete or other durable flooring sloped for proper drainage.
         e.   Animal runs shall have adequate enclosures to provide protection from inclement weather.
         f.   Animal runs shall be provided with sufficient drains to control drainage and daily washing of the runs.
         g.   Kennels and catteries shall be serviced by sewer and all excrement produced by the animals shall be properly disposed of on a regular basis so as to control flies and odor, or stored in an enclosed container and disposed of on a regular basis. Existing kennels shall be permitted to remain on a septic system, including expansions to existing facilities. New expansions shall be subject to approval by the Riverside County environmental health department prior to issuance of building permits.
         h.   New kennels and expansions of existing kennels shall be subject to review and approval by the Riverside County health environmental department prior to the issuance of building permits.
         i.   Animal runs, exercise areas, or keeping of the kenneled animals for commercial or noncommercial purposes shall not be located within a required setback area.
         j.   Facilities for dog kennels and catteries, dog training schools, small animal shelters, and dog and cat breeding establishments shall be subject to the setback standards for the underlying district.
      3.    Animals at Large:
         a.   The animal control authority, peace officers, or persons employed for animal regulation purposes shall capture animals found at large within the city and shall handle the animals as impounded animals. Any owner or custodian of an animal found at large in the city shall be in violation of this section. An animal is at large whenever it is not on the premises of the owner or custodian of the animal and is unattended.
         b.   For any impounded animal, except a domesticated dog or cat, all reasonable costs incurred by the city and the animal control authority in connection with the capture and impoundment of the animal shall be the responsibility of the owner of the animal.
      4.   Chickens:
         a.   Chickens shall be contained within an enclosure or coop with an enclosed runway and an area providing protection from weather.
         b.   Enclosure or coop shall be in the rear or side yard and shall be setback ten feet from the rear and side yard property line.
         c.   The enclosure or coop shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and free of offensie odors.
         d.   The slaughtering of any animal is prohibited in any residential zone.
         e.   Roosters are prohibited.
         f.   Chickens under the age of 6 months are not counted towards the maximum number of chickens as provided in Table 16.44.040-1.
         g.   The commercial keeping of chickens in residential zones is prohibited.
(Ord. 516 § 2, 2016; Ord. 227 § 2 (part), 2000; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)