This Chapter establishes provisions for the regulation of animal keeping within the City of Beaumont. It is the intent of this Chapter to accomplish the following:

A.

To ensure that animal keeping within the City of Beaumont does not result in an adverse impact related to a health and safety violation;

B.

To eliminate conditions that contribute to environmental degradation and pollution; and,

C.

To ensure that the keeping of animals does not create a nuisance.

(Ord. No. 1128, § 2(Exh. B), 12-1-2020)

This Chapter is applicable to all Zone Districts in the City of Beaumont.

(Ord. No. 1128, § 2(Exh. B), 12-1-2020)

Domestic and non-dangerous wild animals may be kept or maintained as pets or for the non-commercial use of members of the family residing on the premises subject to the following restrictions and in conformance with Title 6, and all other local, state and federal laws.

A.

Large Animals. Lots or parcels of land within the Rural Residential (R-R) zone district having a minimum area of 20,000 square feet per dwelling unit may keep or maintain the large animals listed in Table 17.09-1 in the numbers specified, not to exceed one animal per 20,000 square feet. Other large animals that, in the opinion of the Community Development Director are neither obnoxious nor detrimental to the public welfare than the animals enumerated in this subsection are permitted with the same numerical limitations. Such animals shall be kept or maintained in full compliance with applicable Riverside County Health Department regulations.

B.

Small Animals. Small animals permitted in all residential zones shall include birds, chickens, peafowl, duck and other fowl, monkeys, rabbits and similar species which do not constitute a public nuisance. Other similar small animals that in the opinion of the Community Development Director are neither more obnoxious nor detrimental to the public welfare than the animals enumerated in this subsection are permitted. Such animals shall be kept or maintained at a place where the keeping of domestic animals is permitted and shall be maintained in full compliance with Riverside County Health Department regulations. The number of small animals is limited to no more than ten per household. No more than four birds, chickens, or other fowl shall be permitted per Section 6.02.160.

C.

Dogs and Cats. Domesticated dogs and cats are limited to a maximum for four dogs and four cats over the age of four months for each developed residential lot consistent with Title 6.

D.

Other. Other animals as provided for by Title 6.

(Ord. No. 1128, § 2(Exh. B), 12-1-2020)

Accessory structures and other improvements related to the keeping of animals must conform to the following performance standards and in conformance with Title 6.

A.

Fencing. All persons owning or having care, custody, or control of any animal, fowl, domestic or otherwise, shall maintain adequate fencing to hold the animal, fowl, domestic, or otherwise, from wandering or flying upon the property of another.

B.

Use of Animal Keeping Improvements. The use of animal keeping improvements and accessory structures will not be permitted to create a nuisance for neighboring properties. Such nuisances may include, but not be limited to, noise, light and glare, odors, or fugitive dust.

C.

Housekeeping. Animal keeping facilities and accessory uses must be maintained at all times and kept free of debris, trash, and animal waste, and must comply with other provisions outlined in Sections 17.09.70.

D.

Restrictions. The use of animal keeping improvements and accessory structures shall not be permitted to unduly interfere with the free and unencumbered enjoyment and use of adjoining or nearby residential lots or otherwise be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare.

E.

Portable Facilities. The construction, placement, and use of portable facilities, including but not limited to fences, structures used for the storage of animal feed, and animal shelters, must be in conformance with all of the provisions outlined in this Section 17.09.060.

F.

Shelter (Dogs). Any person owning or keeping a dog confined outside must provide the dog with access to clean water, food and an appropriate dog shelter. The shelter must be sanitary, of sound construction, and provide adequate protection from the elements (wind, rain & sun). It must have at least 3 sides, a weather-proof roof, a solid sanitary floor and be adequately ventilated. The shelter must be large enough for the dog to stand, lie down and turn around. Suitable drainage must be provided so that water is not standing in or around the shelter.

G.

Tethering. No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied or restrained, to a doghouse, tree, fence or any other stationary object.

H.

Notwithstanding subdivision (G), a person may do the following:

i.

Tether, fasten, chain or tie a dog no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task that requires a dog to be restrained for a reasonable period of three hours in a 24-hour period.

ii.

Attach a dog to a running line, pulley or trolley system.

a.

Only one dog may be tethered to each running line, pulley or trolley system.

b.

The tether must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog with enough room between the collar and the dog's throat through which two adult fingers may fit. Choke collars, pinch collars and chain collars are prohibited for the purpose of tethering a dog to a running line, pulley or trolley system.

c.

There must be a swivel on each end of the tether to minimize tangling of the tether. The tether and the running line, pulley or trolley system must be at least ten feet in length and must allow continuous access to clean water, food and shelter.

d.

The running line, pulley or trolley system and tether must be of appropriate configuration to confine the dog to the owner's or keeper's property to prevent the tether from extending over an object that could result in injury or strangulation and to prevent the tether from becoming tangled with other objects or animals.

iii.

No dog shall be kept on a residential property by running line, pulley or trolley system or fenced yard where the dog's owner or keeper does not reside.

(Ord. No. 1128, § 2(Exh. B), 12-1-2020)

Accessory structures and other improvements related to the keeping of animals must conform to the following development standards.

A.

Horse Stables. Horse stables are permitted only on lots containing a residential unit that has a minimum area of 20,000 square feet. The stable shall be located at least 50 feet from any street and not less than 50 feet from any lot line.

B.

Riding Ring and Dressage Ring. Other equestrian improvements are restricted to those lots that have a total land area of more than one acre. Such uses shall be located at least 150 feet from any street and not less than 50 feet from any lot line unless a standards modification is approved.

C.

Pens and Enclosures for Other Animals. Pens and enclosures for other large animals identified under Section 17.09.030.A are permitted only on lots containing a residential unit that has a minimum area of 20,000 square feet. The pen or enclosure shall be located at least 50 feet from any street and not less than 50 feet from any lot line unless a standards modification is approved.

D.

Pig Pens. Pig(s) shall be confined in a pen or other enclosure. If the pig(s) are kept year-round and all or a portion of the pen or enclosure is uncovered, the uncovered portion of the enclosure shall have an impervious floor. Pens and enclosures for pigs are permitted only on lots containing a residential unit that has a minimum area of 20,000 square feet. The pig pen shall be located at least 50 feet from any street and not less than 50 feet from any lot line unless a standards modification is approved.

E.

Enclosures for Small Animals. Any pen, coop, or enclosure for the keeping of domestic animals identified under Section 17.09.030.B shall be located at least 100 feet from any street and not less than 50 feet from any lot line.

F.

Modifications. Requests for modifications from the setback requirements of this Section shall be submitted to the Community Development Director for consideration.

(Ord. No. 1128, § 2(Exh. B), 12-1-2020)

This section outlines the requirements governing the maintenance and upkeep of animal keeping facilities that includes, but may not be limited to, stables, pens, corrals, equestrian rings, and other structures used for the housing of animals.

A.

Water Runoff. All animal-keeping facilities must be designed in a manner so that water runoff is contained and disposed of in such a manner so that the runoff does not contribute to the pollution of local groundwater or the flooding of adjacent properties.

B.

Open Water Containers or Standing Water. Open watering containers must be designed so that they do not become attractants for mosquito larvae. Standing water is not permitted.

C.

Waste and Debris Containers. Animal keeping facilities and accessory uses must be maintained at all times and kept free of debris, trash, and animal waste. Storage containers for such debris, trash, and animal waste must be kept closed at all times.

D.

Odors. Animal keeping facilities and accessory uses must be designed and maintained to prevent odors from affecting adjacent properties.

E.

Feed Storage. Buildings, containers, or any other improvement used for the storage of feed must be constructed of materials to ensure that such feed is not an attractant to insects, rodents, and other vectors and to control odors.

F.

Pest Control. All animal-keeping facilities must be kept free of vectors through periodic pest control inspections.

G.

Chemicals. The storage, handling, and disposal of any potentially hazardous chemicals or commercial products used in the routine maintenance of animal control facilities or in the care of the animals, must adhere to all pertinent Federal, State, or Riverside County Health Department regulations.

H.

Fugitive Dust and Particulates. All animal keeping facilities and accessory uses must be designed and maintained to prevent fugitive dust and particulates from affecting off-site locations.

I.

Noise. All keeping of animals permitted herein shall be conducted in a manner which does not result in nuisance noise detrimental to residential living. Animals shall be kept and maintained in manner which contains animal sounds and noise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

J.

Manure. Refuse excrement and manure from animals, poultry, fowl or any livestock shall not be permitted to accumulate on any premises in the City for a period in excess of 14 days and shall be removed from such premises at not less than 14-day intervals unless spread upon and buried in the earth. Pending its removal from the premises, refuse excrement or manure shall be piled in a well-drained area on a base at least four inches above the surrounding levels, to the end that storm or surface waters will flow away from, rather than into the pile.

K.

Dead Animals. Dead animals, fowl or poultry, and offal, pending removal from the premises must be in fly tight containers.

L.

Flies. Upon inspection, should the animals services officer discover flies in unreasonably excessive numbers, he shall require further controls through the use of insecticides, chemicals or other means.

(Ord. No. 1128, § 2(Exh. B), 12-1-2020)