1. Animal Keeping.

The purpose of this chapter is to make provisions for and set limits on the keeping of animals within the City limits. This section recognizes the commercial and sport animal keeping activities as well as the desire of citizens to keep pets. The provisions of this section strive to provide the broadest personal discretion in animal keeping. However, since the City is characterized as an intense urban environment with people living in close proximity, this section also emphasizes the significant responsibility of animal owners and keepers to protect the rights and lifestyles of their neighbors. Animal owners and keepers are expected to meet the following requirements as a reflection of their responsibility.

1. 1. Unrestrained Animals.

Owners and keepers are to keep all animals contained within a structure or fenced yard or on a leash or other appropriate harness or retraining device capable of safely controlling the animal. As provided in chapter 5.04 of the Spokane County Code, no dog may be permitted to run at large. Racing/homing pigeons are allowed to fly unrestrained during periods of exercise, training and racing.

1. 2. Noisy Animals.

Owners and keepers are to prevent their animals from making unnecessary or unusual noises to the extent that reasonable persons are annoyed. Chapter 5.04 of the Spokane County Code and 10.08D SMC relate to noisy animals.

1. 3. Dangerous Dog, Potentially Dangerous Dog and Inherently Dangerous Animals.

The keeping of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs shall be regulated pursuant to chapter 10.03 SMC. The keeping of inherently dangerous animals is prohibited in all zones pursuant to SMC 17C.310.150, except as provided in Chapter 5.12 of the Spokane County Code.

1. 4. Potentially Rabid Animals.

Chapter 5.04 of the Spokane County Code prohibits the keeping of any dog over age six months that has not been properly inoculated against rabies. Any animal afflicted with rabies or that has been exposed to a rabid animal or suspected rabid animal shall be either destroyed or detained and treated in a manner directed by the health officer, in accordance with state communicable disease regulations (WAC 246-100-197 Rabies – Measures to Prevent Human Disease).

1. 5. Nuisance Related to Odors.

Owners and keepers are to maintain their animals in a clean and sanitary condition so as not to create offensive odors or other nuisances to the extent that a reasonable person is annoyed. SMC 10.08A.020.H(1)(f) relates to the creation of a nuisance, including nuisance conditions related to odor.

Date Passed: Monday, June 6, 2016

Effective Date: Thursday, July 21, 2016

ORD C35394 Section 8

1. Where Permitted.

The keeping of large domestic animals is permitted outright only in the RA zone. The definition of large domestic animal is stated in SMC 17A.020.040(AI)(1), Definitions.

2. Standards Applicable to Keeping of Large Domestic Animals.

1. 1. The following ratios of area to animals apply:

1. 1. 1. Large Domestic Animals.

1. 1. 1. 1. Three animals per gross acre on irrigated land.

1. 1. 1. 2. One animal per gross acre on non-irrigated land.

1. 2. Animal Enclosure Setbacks.

A structure or enclosure for animals shall meet the setback requirements for accessory structures. A side yard waiver may be used to reduce the side yard setback for covered accessory structures.

1. 3. Animal Enclosure

Animal enclosures must follow the development standards for accessory structures in residential zones as stated in SMC 17C.111.240 Accessory Structures.

1. 4. The owner or keeper of a large domestic animals shall keep the animal in a secure structure, enclosure or fenced lot or otherwise control the animal with an appropriate harness or retraining device capable of safely controlling the animal.

1. 5. Breeding of large domestic animals shall comply with SMC 17C.190.500.

Date Passed: Monday, March 24, 2014

Effective Date: Friday, May 9, 2014

ORD C35087 Section 2

1. Where Permitted.

The keeping of small domestic animals is permitted outright in the RA, R1, R2, RMF, and RHD zones and any zone that permits dwelling units. The definition of small domestic animal is stated in chapter 17A.020.040 AI 2 SMC, Definitions.

2. Standards Applicable to Keeping of Small Domestic Animals

1. 1. The following ratios of area to animals apply:

1. 1. 1. Small Domestic Animals

1. 1. 1. 1. One animal or fowl, other than small livestock, per one thousand square feet of lot area.

1. 1. 1. 2. One small livestock per two thousand five hundred square feet of lot area. The calculation of the number of small domestic animals shall be cumulative and the aggregate of total number of small domestic animals shall not exceed the number permitted in this section. For example, a ten thousand square foot lot may be permitted for ten chickens (ten times one thousand) or four miniature goats (four times two thousand five hundred) but not both.

1. 2. Owners of small domestic animals, including small livestock as defined in SMC 17A.020.040(AI)(2)(c) but excluding chickens, shall obtain animal keeping certification from Washington State University prior to keeping the animal demonstrating that the owner has completed training relating to the safe and proper care of a small domestic animal, including, but not limited to:

1. 1. 1. appropriate shelter, food, and veterinarian care (including rabies and other vaccinations when appropriate),

1. 1. 2. breeding,

1. 1. 3. animal waste disposal and potential hazards related to the use of domestic animal and livestock waste in composting,

1. 1. 4. potential sources of zoonotic and enteric diseases, routes of transmission, and methods of preventing human illness diseases, and

1. 1. 5.  noise and odor control.

Owners of small domestic animals whose ownership pre-date the requirement of the certification shall have six months from the effective date of this section to obtain the certification. The certification shall be specific to the species of small domestic animal. Maintaining the animal under conditions that do not satisfy the standards set forth in the certification shall be a violation of this subsection and may require the owner to complete additional training through WSU as a condition to maintaining the certification.

1. 3. Roosters and peacocks are only allowed in RA zone within the City.

1. 4. Male small livestock must be de-scented and/or neutered using humane standards.

1. 5. Animal Enclosure.

An animal enclosure in a zone other than RA shall only be allowed to be constructed on a lot that contains a primary residential structure or on an adjacent lot when the two lots are occupied by the same owner or tenant. Animal enclosures must follow the development standards for accessory structures in residential zones as stated in SMC 17C.111.240, Accessory Structures.

1. 6. Animal Enclosure Setbacks.

A structure or enclosure for animals or fowl shall meet the setback requirements for accessory structures. A side yard waiver may be used to reduce the side yard setback for covered accessory structures.

1. 7. The owner or keeper of a small livestock shall keep the animal in secure a structure, enclosure or fenced lot or otherwise control the animal with an appropriate harness or retraining device capable of safely controlling the animal.

1. 8. The slaughter and processing of such an animal is subject to all city, state and federal regulations regarding processing and sale of animals for human consumption.

Date Passed: Monday, March 24, 2014

Effective Date: Friday, May 9, 2014

ORD C35087 Section 3

In all zones where dwelling units are allowed outright or by Type II or III permit applications, small domestic animals are allowed to be kept as household pets consistent with the standards set forth in SMC 17C.310.115. An additional aggregate of four dogs and cats per dwelling unit is permitted. (Five or more dogs or cats constitute a kennel, and any number of large or small domestic animals that exceeds the allowed limits constitutes a zoo.) Small birds (canary, parakeet, etc.); small amphibian/reptile (turtle, lizard, etc.); rodent (rat, hamster, gerbil, etc.); tropical fish and species of animals, other than dogs and cats, that are always housed entirely within the dwelling unit are excluded from the numerical limitations.

Date Passed: Monday, March 24, 2014

Effective Date: Friday, May 9, 2014

ORD C35087 Section 4

1. Where Permitted.

Beekeeping is allowed as an accessory use on any lot occupied by a single-family residence that is in the RA, R1, R2, RMF and RHD zones. Beekeeping for educational or research purposes by an institution such as college, high school or agricultural extension office is allowed as a Type II conditional use permit in all zones, subject to the requirements of subsection (B)(1) through (5) below.

2. Standards Applicable to Beekeeping.

Beekeeping is subject to the following standards:

1. 1. Location, Density and Maintenance of Colonies.

1. 1. 1. The number of colonies is limited to one colony per four thousand three hundred fifty square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of eight colonies; and

1. 1. 2. Colonies shall be setback a minimum of twenty-five feet of any property line, except that a colony may be situated within ten feet of a side lot line or rear lot line provided the following provisions are met:

1. 1. 1. 1. The beehives are isolated from public access by a security fence as required under SMC 17C.111.245(F); and

1. 1. 1. 2. The beekeeper establishes and maintains a flyway barrier at least six feet in height consisting of a solid wall, solid fencing material, dense vegetation or combination thereof that is parallel to the property line and extends ten feet beyond the colony in each direction so that all bees are forced to fly at an elevation of at least six feet above ground level over the property lines in the vicinity of the colony; or

1. 1. 1. 3. The colony is situated ten feet or more above the grade of the nearest adjoining property line.

1. 2. Colonies shall be maintained in movable-frame hives with adequate space and management techniques to prevent overcrowding and swarming.

1. 3. In any instance in which a colony exhibits aggressive or swarming behavior, the beekeeper must ensure that the colony is re-queened. Aggressive behavior is any instance in which unusual aggressive characteristics such as stinging or attacking without provocation occurs.

1. 4. Every beekeeper shall maintain an adequate supply of water for bees located close to each colony.

1. 5. Registrations and Training.

1. 1. 1. All colonies shall be registered with the director of the state department of agriculture pursuant to RCW 15.60.021 no later than April 1st of each year.

1. 1. 2. The beekeeper shall have completed the requirements for apprenticeship level of the Washington State Beekeeper’s Association master beekeeper certification program.

Date Passed: Monday, September 24, 2007

Effective Date: Saturday, November 10, 2007

ORD C34109 Section 4

1. Where Permitted.

Racing and homing pigeons are permitted as an accessory use to an owner’s personal residence by a Type II permit application in the RA and R1 zones.

2. Standards Applicable to Racing/Homing Pigeons.

1. 1. The minimum lot size is six thousand square feet.

1. 2. Pigeon lofts are considered accessory buildings and are required to be located in the rear half of the lot.

1. 3. Lofts are constructed and maintained in clean and sanitary conditions as not to create offensive odors, fly or insect breeding, or other nuisances.

1. 4. Only one loft is permitted per residential unit, and it may not contain more than one bird per square foot of loft floor space.

1. 5. Pigeons requiring freedom of flight for purposes of training, maintaining physical conditioning or competitive performance may be released for said purpose(s), but in no instance will pigeons be allowed to continually perch or linger on buildings, structures or property of others.

Date Passed: Monday, May 8, 2006

Effective Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2006

ORD C33830 Section 4

1. Where Permitted.

The keeping of inherently dangerous animals is prohibited in all zones, except as provided in Spokane County Code chapter 5.12.

2. Standards Applicable to Keeping Inherently Dangerous Animals

The standards for keeping of inherently dangerous animals are provided in Spokane County Code chapter 5.12.

Date Passed: Monday, November 11, 2013

Effective Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2014

ORD C35050 Section 9

1. Purpose.

The purpose of this section is to provide such standards as necessary to allow the location of kennels within the City. These standards apply in all zones that allow kennels outright or by conditional use permit.

2. Where Permitted.

Kennels are permitted outright in the RA, LI, HI, and PI zones. Kennels are allowed by Type II conditional use permit in the CB and GC zones. A veterinarian in the CB and GC zone may have a kennel that is used for the keeping of animals under observation with no breeding, so long as the kennel is contained entirely within a soundproof building.

3. Standards Applicable to Kennels.

1. 1. The owner demonstrates compliance with the noise standards for a commercial noise source as identified in WAC 173-60-040.

1. 2. The structures and outside runs or areas, when allowed, housing the animals are more than two hundred feet from any dwelling (other than the dwelling of the owner) and are more than fifty feet from any property line.

1. 3. Outside runs or areas, where permitted, are enclosed by a solid fence or wall which will abate noise and area landscaped to the L1 standards.

1. 4. In the CB and GC zones animals are to be continuously within a soundproof building.

Date Passed: Monday, April 25, 2011

Effective Date: Friday, June 3, 2011

ORD C34717 Section 24

A violation of SMC 17C.310.100 and 17C.310.115 is a criminal misdemeanor.

Date Passed: Monday, March 24, 2014

Effective Date: Friday, May 9, 2014

ORD C35087 Section 7