This chapter establishes the land use regulations for animal uses and possession within the limits of the City of Elk Ridge. The regulations within this chapter are intended to support the animal control regulations found in title 5, chapter 2 of the City Code, if a difference or conflict in Code is found the more stringent shall apply. (Ord. 17-9, 9-26-2017)

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that animals may be kept within the City in a manner that does not jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, property, other animals or cause a nuisance. (Ord. 17-9, 9-26-2017)

The keeping of any animal which existed lawfully prior to the effective date hereof which is not allowed under this chapter, may be continued as a nonconforming use, except that if the nonconforming use is discontinued for one year or more it shall then be deemed abandoned and any future keeping of animals shall be in conformity with this chapter. (Ord. 17-9, 9-26-2017)

   A.   The following is not permitted in Elk Ridge City:

      1.   Vicious animals as listed in title 5, chapter 2 of the City Code or this chapter.

      2.   Wild animals as listed in title 5, chapter 2 of the City Code or this chapter.

      3.   Any animal creating a nuisance as defined by title 5, chapter 2 of the City Code or this chapter.

      4.   Animal abuse as defined by title 5, chapter 2 of the City Code or this chapter.

      5.   Any diseased animal.

      6.   Any unvaccinated animal as defined by title 5, chapter 2 of the City Code or this chapter.

      7.   Pigs, male goats (non-neutered), and mink. (Ord. 17-9, 9-26-2017)

No person shall keep, house or maintain in or upon the premises of any residential dwelling unit more animals than can be properly maintained in a healthy condition without presenting a health or safety hazard to any persons, other animals, themselves, or than can be properly maintained without constituting a nuisance to the occupants and of neighboring properties.

   TABLE 10-18-A

   PERMITTED ANIMAL RESTRICTIONS ON

   RESIDENTIAL LOTS WITHOUT LIVESTOCK RIGHTS1

 

Notes:

   1.    100 points are allowed per acre, prorate per fractional acreage.

   2.    Every lot may have 2 pets from the above table regardless of lot size. However, these animals will apply towards total points. Indoor pets included in this table count towards total points.

   3.    Service animals do not count towards the lot points.

   4.    Exotic animals allowed with a license from the State of Utah and all the licensing requirements are met.

   5.    Cats and dogs are limited to a total of no more than 3 per acre. (Beyond the initial 2 animals allowed by Code each additional cat or dog is allowed only on parcels containing a full 1/3 acre of property per animal beginning with 1 full acre.)

   TABLE 10-18-B

   PERMITTED ANIMAL RESTRICTIONS ON

   PROPERTY WITH LIVESTOCK OR GRAZING RIGHTS1,2

 

Notes:

   1.    Table should not be used as a guideline for the feed/water/shelter and care of the animals.

   2.    100 points are allowed per acre, prorate per fractional acreage.

   3.    Every livestock zoned lot may have 2 pets from the above table 10-18-B regardless of lot size. However, these animals will apply towards total points. Indoor pets included in this table 10-18-B count towards total points.

   4.    Service animals do not count towards the lot points.

   5.    Exotic animals allowed with a license from the State of Utah and all the licensing requirements are met.

   6.    Cats and dogs are limited to a total of no more than 3 per acre. (Beyond the initial 2 animals allowed by Code each additional cat or dog is allowed only on parcels containing a full 1/3 acre of property per animal beginning with 1 full acre.)

   7.    Only 1 rooster/tom permitted for every 10 hens.

Enclosures and habitat for grazing animals shall not be permitted within property setbacks.

Animal calculations found in tables 10-18-A and 10-18-B of this section do not include newborn animals. Newborn animals are not included in limit calculations until they have been weaned plus two (2) additional months. Once any animal is six (6) months old they must be included in animal limit calculations. Owners may keep up to a number of animals per table 10-18-A or 10-18-B of this section as applicable to the zoning.

Living areas for all animals must be located closer to the owner's residential building than to neighboring residential buildings.

   A.   Chicken, Ducks, Pheasants, Turkeys, Chukar, Ostrich, Emu, And Quail Requirements:

      1.   The coop/feeding and pen areas must be maintained and cleaned regularly to avoid odor.

      2.   The coop/feeding and pen areas must be closer to the owner's residential building than neighboring residential buildings.

      3.   Feed must be kept in a container that prevents vermin.

      4.   All feces and odor shall be kept within the confines of the owner's property, and shall not be reasonably noticeable to neighbors.

      5.   The coop/feeding area and pen area shall be maintained in a manner to prevent odor or feces from becoming a nuisance to neighboring properties.

   B.   Pigeon Requirements: The owning or breeding of pigeons is allowed for noncommercial use where permitted by the City zoning ordinance:

      1.   Pigeons must be kept and maintained in a loft constructed to prevent escape.

         a.   The loft shall be constructed to contain the feces that can be maintained in a sanitary manner.

         b.   All feeding shall be within the confines of the loft. Feed shall be stored in rodentproof containers.

      2.   Each pigeon shall wear a leg band to identify the owner or keeper thereof. All records shall be open for inspection by the animal control officer.

      3.   The loft/feeding area must be closer to the owner's residential building than neighboring residential buildings.

      4.   Pigeons shall be kept in the loft except for exercise, training and racing.

         a.   Pigeons shall not be allowed to linger on buildings or property other than the owner's.

         b.   Pigeons shall be permitted to exercise twice a day under the control of the owner or keeper.

         c.   Pigeons shall not be released for exercise if they have been fed within the last four (4) hours.

         d.   Feces and odor shall be kept within the confines of the owner's property, and shall not be reasonably noticeable to neighbors.

         e.   The loft interior shall be maintained in a manner to prevent odor or feces from becoming a nuisance to neighboring properties.

      5.   Pigeon owners will assist the animal control officer in controlling the feral pigeon population within the City. (Ord. 17-9, 9-26-2017)

As listed in section 10-18-5, table 10-18-B of this chapter, livestock animals are allowed based on the land area of the lot and land provided for the livestock management area. Shown on section 10-18-5, table 10-18-B of this chapter are the land use limits for the types of animals, animals allowed, size of the livestock animal management area, and setbacks to adjacent residential structures.

   A.   Management Area: All portions of a lot devoted exclusively to the care and keeping of livestock shall be considered the livestock animal management area. No portion of a lot devoted to a dwelling, yard, lawn, parking area, nonanimal related accessory structure can be included in the management area. (Ord. 17-9, 9-26-2017; amd. Ord. 21-04, 2-9-2021)

For the purposes of this chapter, each of the following words and phrases shall have the following meaning:

ANIMAL: Birds, reptiles, and mammals other than the genus Homo sapiens. An animal's offspring shall be considered a separate unit upon completion of weaning.

CAGES: Individual, portable facilities for containing animals.

FENCING: Unless otherwise authorized, shall mean a good grade commercial chain-link, carried on solid posts set in concrete; suggested minimum is 11-gauge wire, two inch (2") steel posts set on no greater than ten foot (10') spans.

INDOOR HOUSEHOLD PET: Smaller animals such as a domesticated rodent, fish, parrot, parakeet, canary, guinea pig, hamster, nonpoisonous reptile, turtles, dogs, cats or any other animal that can be purchased in a licensed Utah pet store and has its whole source of water, food, and sleeping area inside the living quarters of the owner's residence. An animal that primarily remains inside.

LIVESTOCK: All animals of the equine, bovine, or fowl, including goats, sheep, mules, horses, cattle, and other grazing animals, and all ratites, including, but not limited to, ostriches, emus, and rheas. (Ord. 17-9, 9-26-2017)