Chapter 6.12 — RESTRICTION ON NUMBERS AND TYPES OF ANIMALS; PROHIBITION OF ANIMALS AT

The maximum number of household pets allowed in a household or on any premises shall be as follows:

A.

Three dogs;

B.

Three cats;

C.

Two Vietnamese potbellied pigs;

D.

Three reptiles;

E.

The combined maximum number of dogs, cats, and potbellied pigs shall be three animals;

F.

The combined maximum number of all household pets other than dogs, cats, potbellied pigs and reptiles shall be three animals;

G.

The combined total of all household pets shall be six animals.

The city manager may allow the occupant of the premises to maintain additional household pets on a temporary basis and on such terms and conditions as the city manager may require, if the city manager determines that removal of the animal(s) would be dangerous to the health and well-being of the animal(s). Additional animals may also be allowed if the zoning requirements for the premises permit the operation of a kennel and the owner or occupant has obtained the necessary permits to operate a kennel on the premises.

The keeping of household pets in excess of the maximum allowed herein shall be considered to be the operation of a kennel or breeding facility and shall be subject to the city's zoning standards for kennels and breeders, which generally require that kennels and breeding facilities be located within the rural residential (R-A), commercial and light manufacturing (C-M), or light manufacturing (M-1) zone district and that operators obtain a conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)

The keeping of Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be in accordance with the following provisions:

A.

All Vietnamese potbellied pigs must be spayed or neutered prior to licensing.

B.

Vietnamese potbellied pigs are subject to the city's "leash law."

C.

No more than two Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be permitted at any one single-family residence. Pigs are prohibited from any multiple-family dwelling.

D.

Vietnamese potbellied pigs in excess of twenty-two inches in height or weighing over one hundred twenty pounds shall be prohibited.

E.

All Vietnamese potbellied pigs must show registration with a nationally recognized registry to assure that they are a potbellied pig and not an agricultural variety.

F.

All Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be properly vaccinated prior to licensing as directed by the designated supervisor of Clovis Animal Services.

G.

Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from obnoxious smells and substances.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)

No person shall keep or maintain any farm animals except as follows:

A.

In connection with bona fide schools, colleges, universities, research organizations, and laboratories engaged in the field of scientific research and education;

B.

On the grounds of any district agricultural fair or rodeo which may be located within the city;

C.

In a zone established by the zoning laws of the city where such animals are specifically permitted, provided there is compliance with such zoning laws relating to such animals.

D.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, each household/premises is permitted to keep three chickens, in a safe, sanitary and healthy manner. Said chickens shall not count against the total number of household pets permitted under Section 6.12.010.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)

No person shall own, have, keep or maintain in the city any wild, exotic, or nondomestic animal or reptile, except as follows:

A.

The city council may, by resolution, grant a permit for the keeping or transporting in the city of any such animal solely for exhibition or experimental purposes under such conditions as may be imposed and for such a period of time as may be permitted, and in accordance with all applicable, federal, state and local laws and regulations;

B.

Wild animals specifically allowed by the State Department of Fish and Game and in accordance with Department of Fish and Game regulations and permit conditions shall be allowed subject to the provisions of this chapter. Any permit required by the Department of Fish and Game for the keeping of any wild animal must be obtained by the owner and shown to any animal services officer upon demand.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)

The keeping of reptiles is limited to turtles, lizards and snakes and excludes other reptiles such as crocodiles and alligators. It shall be unlawful for any person to own and keep within the city any reptile that is determined by the city manager to be a nuisance or danger to persons or other animals.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)

No person shall keep or maintain within the city any stand of bees except in conjunction with an existing agricultural operation.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)

No owner of any animal, except a cat which has been spayed or neutered, shall cause, permit, or allow any such animal to be at large in the city. A violation of this provision is an infraction. An animal that is at large three or more times within a twelve month period shall be deemed a public nuisance and the owner shall remove the animal from the city incorporated limits. A failure to remove the animal in violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)

Any animal which annoys or harasses persons or other animals, including neighbors, passersby or passing vehicles, damages private or public property, is allowed to run at large, or is allowed to defecate or urinate on public property or on private property without the consent of the owner shall be deemed a nuisance subject to abatement as follows:

A.

For non-continuing nuisances which do not require immediate correction, the city manager may issue a written order to the owner of any offending animal directing that such nuisance be abated. In the order, the city manager may direct the owner to take certain actions to prevent the nuisance from reoccurring. The order shall be delivered to the owner either by personal service, first class postage prepaid mail to the owner's last known address, or securely posted in a conspicuous place on the property where the animal is located. A failure to follow the directions of the city manager in the order of abatement is a violation of this section. In addition, each and every day the nuisance exists after the service of the order shall be deemed a violation of this section. The animal may also be seized and impounded.

B.

For continuing nuisances which require immediate corrective action, any animal services officer may issue an order to the owner to immediately abate the nuisance. The order may be made orally or in writing. If the owner is unavailable, or if the owner fails to comply with the order of the animal services officer, the animal may be seized and impounded. A failure to follow the directions of the animal services officer in the order of abatement is a violation of this section.

(Ord. No. 370, §§ 1, 2, 3-11-2015)