Los Altos Municipal Code Ch. 5.10 Animal Control Regulations in R1/R3 Districts

A.

Animals may be kept in the R1 districts in accordance with the following regulations:

A maximum of three dogs shall be allowed, regardless of the site area.

A maximum of one cat shall be allowed for each three thousand three hundred (3,300) square feet of lot area.

A maximum of one small animal, including pigeons, ducks, geese, chickens, peafowl, rabbits, and other animals of a similar nature, shall be allowed for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area.

A maximum of one medium-sized animal, including sheep, goats, and other animals of a similar nature, shall be allowed for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area; provided, however, no swine shall be allowed, regardless of site area.

A maximum of two large animals, including horses, cows, donkeys, and other animals of a similar nature, shall be allowed on a site not less than two acres in area; provided, however, one additional large animal may be kept for each additional acre of the site.

A maximum of one honey bee hive shall be allowed for each five thousand (5,000) square feet of lot area; provided, however, neighbors and passersby shall be protected from flyways, and a water supply adequate in quantity shall be provided and maintained on the site.

Exotic, wild, or nondomestic animals shall be allowed only after first obtaining a permit from the health officer; provided, however, the quantity of such animals shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions set forth in subsections (A)(3), (A)(4) and (A)(5) of this section.

B.

The provisions of this section shall not be retroactive; however, any person keeping in excess of the quantity of animals permitted prior to February 28, 1978, shall not be allowed to replenish the number, except in compliance with the provisions set forth in this section. In the case of honey bee hives, however, any person keeping in excess of the quantity permitted shall be required to reduce the number to be in compliance with the provisions of this section no later than February 28, 1981, or, in the event of an annexation, within three years after the date of the annexation.

(Prior code § 10-2.6501))

All animals in R1 districts shall be restricted to their owner's property, unless leashed or otherwise closely restrained. The areas of confinement shall be in accordance with the following provisions:

A.

Large Animals. Large animals shall be confined to the rear of a residence; provided, however, such area of confinement shall be no nearer than fifty (50) feet to any property line or residence on the premises nor nearer than one hundred (100) feet to any other residence.

B.

All Other Animals.

No animal may be permanently confined in a required front yard setback, and any animal permanently confined in an area between the residence and the front property line, but outside the required front yard setback, shall be screened from view outside the property line by dense plantings or a solid fence constructed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14.72.

No animal may be permanently confined within five feet of the side property line on the secondary street side of a corner lot, and any animal confined within the remaining required secondary street setback shall be adequately screened from view outside the property by dense plantings or a solid fence constructed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14.72.

Unless the area of confinement contains two thousand (2,000) square feet or more, no animal may be permanently confined within ten (10) feet of a rear or side property line, excepting the less restrictive five

foot setback along a secondary street property line of a corner lot as set forth in subsection (B)(2) of this section.

C.

Definitions.

Any animal which is confined or restrained in an area for more than six hours per day shall be considered permanently confined for the purposes of interpreting these regulations.

Any enclosure or structure which is for the exclusive use of an animal shall be considered a place of permanent confinement for the purposes of interpreting these regulations.

Any area in which an animal is confined or restrained existing prior to February 28, 1978, which does not comply with the provisions of this section shall be made to comply with the provisions of this section no later than February 28, 1981, or, in the event of an annexation, within three years after the date of the annexation.

(Prior code § 10-2.6502)

A.

On those properties in R3 districts containing more than one living unit, including condominiums, a maximum of one dog and two cats shall be allowed for each living unit.

B.

On those properties in R3 districts containing one living unit only, the provisions of Section 5.10.010 of this chapter shall apply.

C.

The provisions of this section shall not be retroactive; however, any person keeping in excess of the quantity of animals permitted prior to February 28, 1978, shall not be allowed to replenish the number, except in compliance with the provisions set forth in this section.

(Prior code § 10-2.6503))

A.

On those properties in R3 districts containing more than one living unit, including condominiums, the animal shall be restricted to the owner's living unit, unless leashed or otherwise closely restrained.

B.

On those properties in R3 districts containing one living unit only, the provisions of Section 5.10.020 of this chapter shall apply.

C.

Any area in which an animal is confined or restrained existing prior to February 28, 1978, which does not comply with the provisions of this section shall be made to comply with the provisions of this section no later than February 28, 1981, or, in the event of an annexation, within three years after the date of the annexation.

(Prior code § 10-2.6504)

A.

The provisions of Section 5.10.010 of this chapter shall apply to those nonconforming use properties containing only one living unit.

B.

On those nonconforming use properties containing more than one living unit, the maximum number of permitted animals for the entire property shall be as specified in Section 5.10.010 of this chapter.

(Prior code § 10-2.6505)

All animals on nonconforming use properties shall be confined as specified in Section 5.10.020 of this chapter.

(Prior code § 10-2.6506)

Any enclosure or premises where animals are kept shall be maintained in a sanitary condition as set forth in Chapter 5.04 of this title.

(Prior code § 10-2.6507)