Mendota Municipal Code Ch. 6.40 Prohibition of Fowl, Livestock and Wild Animals

No person shall keep, harbor, maintain upon his premises within the city any fowl, livestock or wild animals, except for sheep and goats for targeted grazing of public facilities pursuant to the following requirements:

A. The targeted use is on a parcel zoned P-F Public Facilities District or A-D Airport Development District.

B. The targeted grazing livestock may only be sheep and/or goats.

C. The site must be secured, through fencing and/or another means acceptable to the animal control officer, poundmaster, hearing officer, or their designees, that ensures the animals cannot escape from the targeted and properly zoned areas.

D. All other requirements under Title 6 apply to the maintenance of the approved animals.

E. Any organization or entity with property, either owned or rented, inside the P-F or A-D zones, may also utilize sheep and/or goats pursuant to approval of a grazing permit by the animal control officer, the poundmaster, the hearing officer, or their designees. The city is exempt from the permit requirement. Said permit shall require and obtain the following information:

1. Name of the organization or entity requesting the grazing permit.

2. Primary contact information of person responsible for the grazing, and an emergency contact which can be reached twenty-four (24) hours per day, each day of the approved grazing period.

3. Dates of which the grazing period will be occurring, being limited to forty-five (45) days per permit.

4. A limit of three permits shall be imposed upon each parcel.

5. The number and type of animals that shall be used in the grazing.

6. Proof of insurance that will cover any damages that may result from said animals on the property, or should they escape, and which names the city of Mendota as additionally insured, with endorsement, for any claims arising out of the presence of said animals in the city.

7. A description of the proposed herd controls that will be used to secure the animals to the targeted grazing areas.

8. A site map designating the targeted area of grazing.

9. A description of the care that will be provided for the animals, including shade, water, food, and any other concerns that may be raised by the city.

10. Acknowledgment signature of a statement that the organization or entity is aware that all other provisions of Title 6 apply to any animals under this section, and acceptance of any penalty or cost associated with failure to comply with the requirements of the permit.

11. Payment of the grazing permit fee, as set by resolution of the city council.

F. The animal control officer, poundmaster, hearing officer, or their designee shall review the information provided in the permit, and evaluate the request against the interests of the city; the protection of public safety, health, and welfare; and humane treatment of any animals. Furthermore, the positions listed above will have authority to approve the permit with additional conditions or requirements, and may deny the permit for any reason deemed appropriate in the protections as stated above.

G. The animal control officer, poundmaster, hearing officer, or their designees shall have the authority to enter onto the premises during and two weeks preceding and proceeding the grazing period to ensure compliance with the grazing permit

H. Penalties: Failure to comply with the requirements of the permit shall result in the immediate revocation of the permit, an order of removal of the animals within seventy-two (72) hours, and no further permits shall be issued to the organization or entity for the tenure of the organization's existence. Should the animals remain in the city beyond the seventy-two (72) hours, they will be immediately subject to impoundment per Chapter 6.36 of the Mendota Municipal Code. Impoundment fees and any additional expenses to maintain the animals during the required five-day holding period, or during any other tenure of holding, will be assessed to the organization or entity via a citation issued by the poundmaster and/or animal control officer, or an invoice to the organization that if unpaid will be sent to collections.

If a person has any fowl, livestock or wild animals on the effective date of this chapter, and does not have an approved grazing permit, the person shall have ninety (90) days from the effective date of this chapter to come into compliance with this section.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011; Ord. No. 11-04, § 1, 4-26-2011)

No person may kill or butcher an animal within the city limits except as specifically permitted by the laws of the state, and in compliance with all federal, state and local requirements.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)