18.31.220 Permitted animals.
The types and allowed number of animals permitted are listed as follows, provided the following requirements are met. The specified minimum lot size per animal are absolute requirements. No variances, waivers, and/or modifications under the Auburn City Code shall be granted. The keeping of animals that require no lot size or lesser lot size are allowed to be cumulative, when lot size requirements have been met. For example, on a 12,500-square-foot lot, the keeping of one miniature goat, one potbelly pig, and two dogs could be allowed. Licensing of pets and animal control is governed by ACC Title 6, Animals.
A. Small Domestic Animals. Small domestic animals may be kept if the owner complies with the following:
1. Small domestic animals are permitted as an accessory use to a residence or business.
2. Up to four small domestic animals, including foster animals, per dwelling or commercial building regardless of lot size. Offspring less than six months of age are not included in this number.
3. A pet license is required for each cat or dog in accordance with Chapter 6.04 ACC, Animal Licensing.
B. Domestic Fowl. Domestic fowl may be kept if the owner complies with the following:
1. Domestic fowl and poultry are permitted as an accessory use to a single-family residence.
2. Roosters and peafowl are not permitted.
3. Structures, or yard areas including chicken coops, pens or runs, housing or containing domestic fowl are only allowed in the rear yard (the area between the rear yard lot line and the extension of the rear facade of the principal structure) and shall be set back from the rear and side yard lot lines by a distance of at least 10 feet.
4. Up to a total of four domestic fowl and poultry can be kept on lots that are at least 6,000 square feet in size. On lots that are larger than 6,000 square feet, one additional domestic fowl or poultry may be kept per additional 2,000 square feet. The maximum number of domestic fowl allowed per lot is 10; this maximum does not apply to properties zoned RC, residential conservancy or R-1, residential one dwelling unit per acre.
5. The keeping conforms to ACC 8.28.010 regarding noise disturbance, ACC 8.12.020 regarding nuisances affecting public health and safety, and ACC 6.24.020 regarding slaughtering.
C. Miniature Goats. Miniature goats are medium domestic animals and may be kept if the owner complies with the following:
1. Miniature goats are permitted as accessory use to a single-family residence.
2. Male miniature goats must be neutered.
3. All miniature goats must be dehorned.
4. Nursing offspring of miniature goats may be kept until weaned, but no longer than 12 weeks from birth without meeting the requirements contained herein.
5. The location of structures housing miniature goats must comply with accessory structure setbacks applicable in the zoning district where the property is located.
6. Up to two miniature goats are allowed on lots that are at least 12,500 square feet in size. On lots that are greater than 12,500 square feet, one additional medium size domestic animal may be kept per additional 7,500 square feet.
7. The keeping conforms to ACC 8.28.010 regarding noise disturbance, ACC 8.12.020 regarding nuisances affecting public health and safety, and ACC 6.24.020 regarding slaughtering.
D. Potbelly Pigs. Miniature potbelly pigs are medium domestic animals and may be kept if the owner complies with the following:
1. Potbelly pigs are permitted as accessory use to a single-family residence.
2. Potbelly pigs are no greater than 24 inches in height at the shoulder and no more than 150 pounds.
3. Nursing offspring of potbelly pigs may be kept until weaned, but no longer than 12 weeks from birth without meeting the requirements contained herein.
4. The location of structures housing potbelly pigs must comply with accessory structure setbacks applicable in the zoning district where the property is located.
5. Two potbelly pigs can be kept on lots that are at least 12,500 square feet in size. On lots that are greater than 12,500 square feet, one additional medium size domestic animal may be kept per additional 7,500 square feet.
6. The keeping conforms to ACC 8.28.010 regarding noise disturbance, ACC 8.12.020 regarding nuisances affecting public health and safety, and ACC 6.24.020 regarding slaughtering.
E. Large Domestic Animals. Large domestic animals may be kept if the owner complies with the following:
1. Large domestic animals are allowed as an accessory use to a single-family residence.
2. Two large domestic animals can be kept on lots that are at least one acre in size.
3. On lots that are larger than one acre, one additional large domestic animal may be kept per additional 21,780 square feet.
4. The location and structures housing large domestic animals and any corral, exercise yard or arena must comply with the setbacks applicable in the zoning district where the property is located.
5. The keeping conforms to ACC 8.28.010 regarding noise disturbance, ACC 8.12.020 regarding nuisances affecting public health and safety, and ACC 6.24.020 regarding slaughtering.
F. Apiaries (keeping of honey bees (Apis mellifera)), also referred to as beekeeping, may be permitted if the owner complies with the following:
1. Beekeeping is allowed as an accessory use to a single-family residence.
2. All hives are registered with the State Department of Agriculture.
3. No more than two hives, each with only one swarm, shall be kept on lots of less than 10,000 square feet.
4. Hives shall not be located within 25 feet of any property line with the hive(s) entrance(s) facing away from the nearest property line.
5. The keeping conforms to ACC 8.28.010 regarding noise disturbance and ACC 8.12.020 regarding nuisances affecting public health and safety.
G. Amortization of Preexisting, Nonconforming Structures Housing Animals and Runs or Pens. An individual who receives written notice from the city that a structure (coop) or yard area (runs or pens) housing animals regulated by this section, except small domestic animals, does not comply with setback requirements shall have 30 days from the date of notification to bring the property/structure into compliance. If any individual believes that their circumstances pose particular difficulty in meeting the 30-day time frame for compliance with the setback requirements of this section, the individual may request in writing of the community development and public works director (planning director) or designee additional time to bring their activity into conformity. Decisions of the community development and public works director (planning director) or designee to grant or deny the extension shall be final and conclusive. (Ord. 6600 § 11, 2016; Ord. 6369 § 8, 2011.)