Division 11 — ANIMAL KEEPING REGULATIONS
El Centro Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · El Centro
Sec. 29-169. - Application of animal keeping regulations. ¶
The following regulations shall apply to the keeping of animals on any residential property and shall specifically be inapplicable to the following:
(1)
Dogs and cats not constituting a kennel.
(2)
Animals kept for sale in zones where retail sale is permitted, provided such animals are kept within an enclosed building without outside runs or cages.
(3)
Animals kept incidental to the operation of a veterinary hospital.
(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24)
Sec. 29-170. - Animal keeping by conditional use permit. ¶
Where accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling, the following animal keeping is permitted subject to the following standards, including a conditional use permit where specified. All other animal keeping is prohibited within the city.
(1)
Birds. Where more than ten (10) birds are kept on any premises, whether for pleasure of profit, a conditional use permit shall be required.
(2)
Poultry, rabbits, chinchillas, furbearing animals, amphibians, and other small animals. Where more than two (2) such animals are kept on any premises, whether for pleasure or profit, a conditional use permit shall be required. In no case shall such conditional use permit allow more than twenty-five (25) such animals.
(3)
Wild, exotic or undomesticated animals. Not permitted.
(4)
Horses, bovine animals, sheep, goats, swine, mules, and roosters. Permitted within the rural residential zone and not otherwise permitted except as an animal raising project as specified in sections 5-1 and 29171.
(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24)
Sec. 29-171. - Temporary permits for animal raising regulations.
Animal raising projects shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Youth organization. Such project is limited to the keeping, raising and breeding of domesticated animals under the auspices of 4-H, FFA or other similar youth organizations.
(2)
Minimum lot size. No such animal raising project shall be permitted on a lot less than six thousand (6,000) square feet in net area.
(3)
Temporary use permit. A temporary use permit shall be required for such animal raising project for a period not to exceed six (6) months. The fee for a temporary use permit shall be waived for all animal raising projects contemplated by subsection (1).
(4)
Other conditions. A temporary use permit for an animal raising project may impose other conditions pertaining to the type, number, and location of animals as are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the public health and welfare and for the protection of the health and welfare of the animals.
(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24)