A. Keeping of Wild or Exotic Animals: It shall be unlawful for anyone to own, harbor, or permit at large any wild or exotic animal without the express written authorization of the Rathdrum city council. Such authorization may be given only if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the council that the animal will not constitute a threat to public health or safety. The city council may conduct a public hearing in accordance with standard notice procedures to obtain the opinions of adjoining residents and property owners when considering such requests. The city council may charge an applicant for such public hearing procedure and authorization an appropriate fee to recover the processing costs incurred by the city. Public educational institutions shall be exempt from the foregoing authorization requirement.
B. Keeping of Domestic Animals: Due to the density of the population within the city and the attendant effect of the keeping of animals within the city limits on the health and welfare of its residents, it is unlawful for any person to keep, permit, suffer or allow the keeping on such person's premises or upon premises leased or used by such person within the city limits, any domestic animals other than what is authorized by this section or in accordance with limitations and permitting requirements established by this title:
2. For the sole purpose of a family pet or for educational purposes at an educational institution, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, frogs, ferrets, mice, rats, snakes and/or birds (except fowl, pigeons, chickens, ducks, quail, geese, turkeys) can be kept, so long as the number limitations as set forth in subsection 5-2-5
of this chapter are not exceeded. It shall be the duty of all persons owning or harboring such animals to keep and maintain such animals in a clean and sanitary condition.
3. The animals listed in the following table may be kept on properties containing a minimum of one (1) acre of securely fenced, irrigated open space, exclusive of a home site, and containing at least one acre in total, maintained in compliance with this title. Said fenced area shall be irrigated during the growing season to sustain vegetation. The number of listed animals allowed on the original one acre parcel and per acre on each succeeding acre of contiguous site is limited to a total of ten (10) points (per acre) using the point system in the following table, where the points are calculated per animal. Partial acres shall be prorated.
Points | |
Cow | 5 |
Horse, pony, donkey, mule, llama | 4 |
Goat, lamb, alpaca, miniature horse | 3 |
Goose, Turkey | 1 |
Ducks, Chickens, and Quail | |
No swine, peacocks, or guinea fowl are allowed within city limits. | |
4. Keeping Of Chickens, Ducks, and Quail: Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, chickens, ducks, and quail are permitted on any detached single-family lot in the city that complies with minimum zoning standards. Adult male chickens, also known as roosters, are prohibited from being housed within the city limits. Coops and feed shall be secured to prevent problems with mice and other pests. Chickens, ducks, and/or quail must be provided with shelter from the elements and must be contained within a fenced enclosure. Coops, hutches or similar shelters must be kept at least thirty feet (30') from the front property line, five feet (5') from the side and rear property lines where the chickens, ducks, and/or quail are being kept, at least fifteen feet (15') from the onsite residence and at least twenty five feet (25') from any neighboring residence. Each zoning compliant parcel or lot that is occupied by a detached single-family dwelling is limited to a total of ten (10) points (per lot) using the point system in the following table, where the points are calculated per animal:
Points | |
Duck | 2 |
Chicken | 1 |
Quail | .25 |
5. Keeping of Potbellied Pigs: Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, potbellied pigs are permitted in the city limits only in accordance with the requirements of this section:
a. No person shall possess, own, or harbor a "potbellied pig" as defined in this title unless and until a specific use permit is obtained for such animal in accordance with this chapter. Only one potbellied pig may be maintained or permitted at any single address or premises. Said permit may be issued by the chief of police or designee upon payment of the license fee established by the city council by resolution and upon proving compliance with the standards established by this code. Any such potbellied pig shall be subject to the care and control requirements established for dogs by this title.
b. Each person desiring to permit a potbellied pig for keeping in the city shall obtain and submit to the city a certificate of health and qualification from a licensed veterinarian and allow an inspection of the animal and premises from the chief of police or designee as detailed below.
(1) A certificate from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal in question is a potbellied pig, measuring no more than twenty-three inches (23") in height at the should when in a normal stance, weighing no more than one hundred twenty five (125) pounds and kept solely for human companionship shall be obtained and submitted to the city before a permit will be issued. Further said veterinarian shall certify in writing that the animal in question has been inoculated against and/or been blood tested, with negative results, for pseudorabies and brucellosis, or any other disease or animal malady which the USDA or the Idaho Department of Agriculture deems necessary to prevent health, safety or generally welfare concerns.
(2) Prior to issuance of a permit to possess a potbellied pig, the permit applicant shall submit plans showing the size and location of the enclosed outdoor space in which the potbellied pig will be allowed to exercise when not in the home where it lives. Said plans shall include sufficient detail to indicate that fencing materials and installation methods are sufficient to protect neighboring land uses from intrusion. No potbellied pig, nor the maintenance practices affecting care of such animal, shall be allowed to interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of adjoining land uses by reason of noise, odor, or otherwise. Violation of these requirements shall be deemed a violation of the requirements of this code subjecting the permittee to the penalty provisions of this code, and further subjecting the permit to be revoked at the discretion of the chief of police or designee.
(3) Any person seeking to permit a potbellied pig shall allow reasonable opportunity for inspection of the animal and of the premises where it will be housed prior to any action by the chief of police or designee.
B. It shall be the duty of all persons owning or harboring such animals to keep them in secure confinement to prevent them from roaming onto adjacent lands and to maintain such animals, and the grounds upon, and facilities within, which they are housed, in a clean and sanitary condition. Additionally, all persons owning and harboring animals shall follow industry best management practices in raising and caring for their animals.
C. Animal owners are also required to comply with all requirements regarding sanitation, nuisance and fencing/wall height as set forth elsewhere in this code. (Ord. 532, 12-11-2012; amd. Ord. 629, 10-25-2023)