El Centro Municipal Code Art. I In General

(a) Except as provided in sections 5-2 and 29-170(4), it shall be unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept in or upon any lot or place in the city at any time any bovine animals, horses, mules, swine, sheep, goats or roosters except within the rural residential zone. It shall not be unlawful to keep or feed bovine animals or swine within the city for a period not exceeding twenty-four (24) hours for the purpose of shipment.

(b) Except as provided in section 5-2, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept in or upon any lot or place in the city at any time more than two (2) chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, chinchillas, furbearing animals and amphibians. Where more than two (2) such animals are kept on any premises within the city, whether for pleasure or profit, a conditional use permit shall be required pursuant to section 29-170(2).

(c) Animals which are part of an animal raising project, such as FFA or 4-H for the California Midwinter Fair, may be allowed, providing that the following requirements are met:

(1) There shall be only two (2) animals per participating youth;

(2) The premise shall be subject to the inspection by the animal control officer;

(3) Evidence shall be provided upon request to the community development department that the youth is duly enrolled in a 4-H or FFA animal raising project;

(4) Such youth projects shall be limited to six (6) months prior to the state midwinter fair; and

(5) All animals shall be kept in an area which is fenced. Such fenced area shall:

a. Be wholly located within the rear yard of the site where the animals are kept;

b. Be of sufficient size to provide adequate and proper housing so as to prevent overcrowding;

c. Provide a shelter of sufficient size to provide cover for the animal(s);

d. Be maintained in good repair to protect animal(s) from injury;

e. Restrict the entrance of other animals and prevent the escape of animal(s); and

f. Be maintained free from excessive litter, garbage and the accumulation of manure, so as to discourage the proliferation of flies, other disease vectors and offensive odors.

Failure to comply with the sanitation control and other requirements of this section may result in the cancellation of this subsection (c).

(d) Except as provided in section 5-2, animals being lawfully kept prior to the adoption of this section shall be allowed to remain until they are sold, moved, or have lived out their life. The animal control officer shall notify property owners regarding any known nonconforming animals so that they will not be replaced or their numbers increased following the effective date of this chapter. Owners of nonconforming animals shall also be subject to the management practices of this chapter. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section may result in the cancellation of the exemption.

(e) Where more than ten (10) birds are kept on any premises within the city, whether for pleasure or profit, a conditional use permit shall be required pursuant to section 29-170(2).

(f) Wild, exotic or undomesticated animals are not permitted in the city.

(Ord. No. 13-27, § 1, 10-1-13; Ord. No. 430, § 1; Code 1962, § 4-2)

The council may grant special permission to keep any of the animals or poultry mentioned in section 5-1, where it shall be found that the best interests and welfare of the inhabitants of the city and of the public require such permission.

(Ord. No. 430, § 1; Code 1962, § 4-2)

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any horse, cow, animal of burden or any cattle, hog or pig of which he is the owner or over which he has control to run at large in the city.

(Ord. No. 44, §§ 1, 12; Code 1962, § 4-3)

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any horse, cow, animal of burden or any cattle, hog or pig of which he is the owner or over which he has control to run over or go upon the premises of any other person without the permission of the owner of the premises in question.

(Ord. No. 44, §§ 1, 12; Code 1962, § 4-4)

It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any domestic animal owned by him to run at large within the city when such animal is infected with any contagious or infectious disease.

(Ord. No. 65-B, § 20; Code 1962, § 4-5)

The health officer may order the destruction of any cat, dog or other domestic animal when it shall be deemed necessary for the preservation of the public health.

(Ord. No. 65-B, § 20; Code 1962, § 4-6)

Violations of this chapter shall be infractions.