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(1) Purpose. The purpose of these standards is to allow for increased opportunities for residential urban animal keeping and farming within the city limits, while encouraging compatibility within the urban environment. Animal keeping is the practice of raising domesticated animals that are used primarily as food or product sources.

(2) Application of Standards. In addition to applicable provisions contained elsewhere in this land use code, where this land use code allows Urban Animal Keeping, all of the standards in this section apply.

(3) General Standards.

(a) Animals not addressed in this section are not permitted under the “Urban Animal Keeping” use category.

(b) Except for an animal kept on-site by an educational or religious institution, the person responsible for keeping an animal shall reside on or adjacent to the development site on which the animal is kept.

(c) In addition to applicable provisions contained in this land use code, the keeping of one or more animals under these provisions shall also comply with all other applicable provisions of the Eugene Code, including but not limited to sections 4.083 through 4.084 Noise Disturbance, section 4.335 Animal Abuse, section 4.340 Animal Neglect, and section 4.430 Continuous Annoyance.

(4) Animals Allowed.

(a) On development sites of less than 20,000 square feet and located in a zone that allows “Urban Animal Keeping,” any two of the following four categories of animals are allowed:

1. Chickens and Domestic Fowl. Up to 6 of any combination of chickens and domestic fowl over six months of age and up to 6 of any combination of chickens and domestic fowl under six months of age. For purposes of EC 9.5250, “domestic fowl” means quails, pheasants, ducks, pigeons, and doves. Roosters, geese, peacocks, and turkeys are prohibited.

2. Rabbits. Up to 6 over six months of age and up to 6 under six months of age.

3. Miniature Goats. Up to 3 miniature goats, commonly known as pygmy, dwarf, and miniature goats, provided that males are neutered.

4. Miniature Pig. No more than one miniature pig, up to 150 pounds in weight.

In addition to the above, Honey Bees are allowed (up to 3 hives) provided that they are located at least 5 feet from all property lines and the opening of the hive is pointed toward the center of the property and a water source is provided on site within 15 feet of each hive.

(b) On development sites 20,000 square feet or greater and located in a zone that allows “Urban Animal Keeping,” all of the following are allowed:

1. Chickens, Rabbits, and Domestic Fowl. Limited by the area requirement in section (8) below. Roosters, geese, peacocks, and turkeys are prohibited.

2. Miniature Goats. Up to 3 miniature goats, commonly known as pygmy, dwarf, and miniature goats, provided that males are neutered. Additional miniature goats are allowed subject to the area requirement in section (8) below.

3. Miniature Pig. No more than one miniature pig, up to 150 pounds in weight.

4. Cows, miniature cows, horses, miniature horses, sheep, goats, emus, alpacas, and llamas. Limited by the area requirement in section (8) below.

5. Honey Bees. Up to 4 hives, provided that they are located at least 25 feet from all property lines and a water source is provided on site within 15 feet of each hive.

(5) Sanitation. Proper sanitation shall be maintained for all animals at all times to prevent any condition which may be dangerous or detrimental to the health of the public or animals, or constitute a nuisance. Proper sanitation includes:

(a) Disposing of animal waste matter and not allowing it to accumulate;

(b) Compost piles that contain animal waste matter shall be located at least 5 feet from all property lines and be within a container or bin enclosed on all sides and covered to deter rodents, flies, and other pests;

(c) Ensuring odors resulting from the animals are not detectable beyond property lines; and

(d) Storing all animal food in metal or other rodent-proof containers.

(6) Fencing. Fencing is required and shall be designed and constructed to confine all animals to the site on which the animal is kept. The fence location and height are those required for fences in the applicable base and overlay zone.

(7) Enclosures.

(a) An enclosure is required and shall be designed and constructed to provide shelter from the weather for all animals kept outdoors on the development site.

(b) The enclosure shall be roofed and have at least two solid sides.

(c) The enclosure shall comply with the required height for accessory structures in the applicable base and overlay zone.

(d) All structures designed and used to provide shelter for all animals shall be located at least 10 feet from all property lines, except where an adjacent property owner authorizes in writing that an enclosure can be located closer to the neighbor’s property.

(8) Area Requirement for Animals. Minimum area of development site per animal over 6 months of age is as follows:

(a) Cows and horses: 10,000 square feet per animal.

(b) Miniature cows, miniature horses, sheep, miniature goats, goats, emus, alpacas, and llamas: 5,000 square feet per animal.

(c) Chickens, Rabbits, and Domestic Fowl: 1,000 square feet per animal.

(9) Harvesting.

(a) Only chickens, domestic fowl, or rabbits can be harvested on site.

(b) Harvesting shall occur only on the development site on which the animals are kept, and shall not occur in view from any public area or any adjacent property owned by another.

(c) Harvesting shall be done in a humane and sanitary manner.

(d) No commercial slaughterhouse shall be allowed.

(10) Enforcement. Failure to adhere to the standards required under this section shall constitute a violation subject to the enforcement provisions of section 9.0000 through 9.0280 General Administration.

(Section 9.5250, see chart at front of Chapter 9 for legislative history from 2/26/01 through 6/1/02; amended by Ordinance No. 20269, enacted November 25, 2002, effective December 25, 2002; and amended by Ordinance No. 20353, enacted November 28, 2005, effective January 1, 2006; amended by Ordinance No. 20507, enacted February 20, 2013, effective March 25, 2013.)