§ 7.08.020. Animals permitted by right and with use permits.

The following domestic animals are permitted subject to the provisions of this title:

A.

Dogs.

B.

Cats.

C.

Rodents.

D.

Rabbits.

E.

Fish.

F.

Reptiles and amphibians.

G.

Chickens.

1.

Prohibitions on Roosters. Only hens are permitted pursuant to this chapter. Roosters are prohibited.

2.

Limitation on Number. A maximum of four chickens are permitted on properties of at least four thousand square feet that contain single-family residential dwelling units, as long as the property owner holds a valid residential chicken clearance.

3.

Enclosure Requirement. Chickens shall be kept in a pen which is sufficient to contain chickens.

4.

Location of Coops. Chicken coops shall not be located closer than twenty feet to dwelling units on adjacent properties. Coops of one hundred twenty square feet and smaller shall not be subject to Section 19.06.030(T).

5.

Exceptions.

a.

Unanimous Consent of Adjacent Property Owners. Exceptions to subsection 2, above, allowing up to six chickens on properties of at least four thousand square feet that contain single-family residential dwelling units or allowing up to four Chickens on properties less than four thousand square feet containing single family dwelling units and exceptions to subsection 4, above, shall be permitted with written consent of the owner of every property which directly abuts the property on which chickens would be kept.

b.

Conditional Use Permit. Any exceptions to subsections 2 and 4, above, which have not secured unanimous consent of all adjacent property owners, shall be permitted with a conditional use permit.

H.

Other Fowl. Fowl, other than chickens, shall not be permitted without a conditional use permit.

I.

Other Birds. Birds that are kept from flying at-large and kept indoors shall be permitted. Birds that are permitted to fly at-large or birds that are kept outdoors shall not be permitted without a conditional use permit.

J.

Honeybees.

1.

Number of Hives. A maximum of one beehive shall be permitted by right on properties of at least five thousand square feet that contain a single-family dwelling unit, as long as the property owner holds a honeybee keeping clearance.

2.

Location of Beehives. Beehives shall be located behind the principal structure on the property. Beehives shall not be located closer than twenty feet to dwellings on adjacent properties or five feet from a property line. Beehives shall not be subject to Section 19.06.030(T).

3.

Notice. Upon determining that a honeybee keeping clearance application is complete, the zoning administrator shall mail notice to the owners of all properties which directly abut the property for which a honeybee keeping clearance application has been submitted. The notice shall contain the date on which the honeybee keeping clearance will take effect. The honeybee keeping clearance shall become effective no fewer than fourteen days after the date of the notice.

4.

Exceptions.

a.

Unanimous Consent of Adjacent Property Owners. Exceptions to subsections 1 and 2, above, allowing up to three beehives on properties of at least five thousand square feet that contain single-family residential dwelling units or allowing up to one beehive on properties less than five thousand square feet containing single family dwelling units shall be permitted with written consent of the owner of every property which directly abuts the property on which Honeybees would be kept.

b.

Conditional Use Permit. Any exceptions to subsections 1 and 2, above, which have not secured unanimous consent of all adjacent property owners, shall be permitted with a conditional use permit.

K.

Insects. Insects, other than honeybees, and other commonly kept arthropods, including but not limited to, ants, spiders, millipedes, and hermit crabs.

L.

Pigs.

1.

Limitation on Size. Pigs over one hundred fifty pounds shall not be permitted without a conditional use permit.

2.

Maximum Number. A maximum of two pigs shall be permitted on properties of at least five thousand square feet that contain single-family residential dwelling units, subject to approval of an administrative use permit. The following situations will require a conditional use permit: more than two pigs on lots containing single family residences; any number of pigs on properties containing multi-family dwelling units; or any number of pigs on properties smaller than five thousand square feet.

3.

Enclosure Requirement. All pigs shall be kept in a pen sufficient to hold pigs.

4.

Enclosure Setbacks. Enclosures for pigs shall not be located closer than twenty feet to dwellings on adjacent properties or five feet from a property line.

M.

Goats.

1.

Use Permit Required. Goats shall be permitted on properties at least ten thousand square feet in size, subject to approval of an administrative use permit. Goats shall be permitted on properties less than ten thousand square feet in size subject to approval of a conditional use permit.

2.

Temporary Weed Abatement. Goats shall be allowed on lots of at least seven thousand five hundred square feet for the purpose of weed abatement for a period not to exceed sixty days as long as the property owner holds a valid goat weed abatement permit. No more than one weed abatement period shall be permitted every twelve months. Goats shall be confined to the area undergoing weed abatement.

N.

Other Livestock.

1.

Use Permit Required. Livestock, other than goats, pigs and chickens, shall not be permitted without approval of a conditional use permit.

O.

Wild Animals. Wild or exotic animals shall be defined and regulated as provided in the Contra Costa County Code. Wild animals shall not be permitted without approval of a conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 2011-05, Div. I, 11-21-2011)