Chapter 17.35 — ANIMAL REGULATIONS

The animal regulations set forth in this chapter are intended to establish minimum standards for the keeping of livestock animals or bees in residential zoned areas; and to avoid overcrowding or other objectionable conditions potentially incompatible with adjacent properties.

(Ord. 264 §2(part), 1995; Ord. 214 §2(part), 1992)

The long-term keeping of livestock animals upon properties within the AR-1, AR-3, AR-5, RR-1, RR-2/3, RR-1/2, TR-1, TR-1/2, and TR-1/3 zoning districts is potentially permitted subject to the specific land use regulations within each zone; and solely in association with established on-site residential uses, and subject to all applicable minimum requirements set forth in this section of Chapter 17.35. Livestock animals within the AR-3 and AR-5 zoning districts may be established without an on-site residential use, subject to the specific land use regulations within their zones and all applicable minimum requirements of Chapter 17.35, and with an approved animal management plan.

A.

Except as otherwise provided within Section 17.35.250, all regulations set forth in Table 17.35.200 shall apply to the long-term keeping of livestock animals as follows:

Table 17.35.200

Type of Animal Minimum Area Per Minimum Net Lot Maximum Number Minimum Animal (square Area Animals* Enclosure feet) Required (One Setbacks** Animal) (from residence(s) (square feet) on adjoining site)

Horse, cow, llama, 15,500 30,500 12 100 feet etc.

Swine 11,000 26,000 12 100 feet

Goat, sheep 10,000 25,000 18 100 feet

Turkey 5,000 20,000 24 75 feet

Poultry, fowl 1,500 16,500 36 75 feet

Rabbits 900 15,900 36 75 feet

Chinchilla, mink, 1,000 16,000 24 75 feet etc.

 * Maximum number of animals shall not apply to properties of five (5) acres or greater in size.

** The planning director or planning commission may require specific distances from property lines as he or they deem appropriate.

B.

The minimum site area per animal requirements of Table 17.35.200 shall apply in addition to a minimum site area requirement of fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet (net area) per dwelling on the site. Area

requirements shall be determined cumulatively for the purpose of establishing the number of animals allowed, and shall not apply solely to the actual site area used by a particular animal.

C.

Minimum enclosure setback distances shall apply to any barn, corral, pen, feed area, paddock, stable, fenced pasture, or similar area for housing or enclosure of animals.

D.

Enclosure setbacks measured from a residence shall apply to any existing dwelling structure located on an adjacent property, but need not apply to dwellings on the same site as the animal enclosure.

E.

The maximum number of animals shall be the cumulative total number of animals on the site. (Example: two (2) horses plus one cow shall equal the maximum number of animals permitted upon a property less than five (5) acres in size.)

F.

Animal requirements of this section shall apply only to mature or weaned animals. Requirements for any livestock animal not listed in Table 17.35.200 shall be determined by the planning director on the basis of comparability to animals listed, and the characteristics customarily associated with such animals.

(Ord. No. 648, § 3, 9-9-2025, eff. 10-9-2025; Ord. No. 505, § 3, 9-14-2010; Ord. 370 § 7, 2001; Ord. 332 §10, 1999; Ord. 264 §2(part), 1995; Ord. 214 §2(part), 1992; Ord. No. 395, § 3, 2003)

Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 17.35.200, the long-term keeping and raising of chickens and rabbits shall be considered a permitted accessory land use to an established residential land use in residential zoning districts when conducted in accordance with the following standards:

A.

Chickens and rabbits, not to exceed a combined total of twelve (12) chickens and rabbits, may be kept and raised upon residentially-zoned properties.

B.

Chickens kept and raised as permitted residential accessory land uses shall under no circumstances include roosters.

C.

Chickens and rabbits shall at all times be confined within pens, coops and other enclosed or fenced areas maintained a minimum distance of fifty (50) lineal feet from any occupiable structure and shall be established in compliance with all applicable yard setback requirements.

D.

Pens, coops and other areas used to contain and/or confine chickens and rabbits shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition via frequent cleaning and removal of animal waste from the site and shall at no time become a source of offensive odors transmitted to adjacent properties.

E.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to reduce or waive minimum setback requirements from water wells or other facilities as required by the California Department of Water Resources or County Public Health Department standards.

(Ord. No. 653, § 2, 1-13-2026, eff. 2-12-2026; Ord. No. 505, § 4, 9-14-2010)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 505, § 5, adopted Sept. 14, 2010, provides that this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after the date of its passage.

The raising and keeping of bees upon properties within the R-C, AG-10, AG-20, AR-1, AR-3, AR-5, RR-1, and TR-1 zoning districts is permitted in accordance with the specific land use regulations within each zone; and subject to all applicable minimum requirements set forth in this section.

A.

The following site development regulations shall apply to the keeping of bees:

Regulation Requirement

Minimum net lot area (square feet) 43,560

Maximum number of hives per acre 5

Minimum distance setback (hives from neighboring dwelling) 100 feet

All beekeepers shall secure a permit from the Butte County agricultural commissioner for beekeeping.

B.

All beekeepers subject to the requirements of this Chapter shall maintain an adequate supply of water for their bees.

C.

The keeping of bees legally existing prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall not be subject to the regulations of this section unless additional hives are to be placed on the property, in which case the regulations set forth in this section shall apply.

(Ord. No. 395, § 4, 2003; Ord. 264 §2(part), 1995; Ord. 214 §2(part), 1992)

The temporary raising of livestock animals as a student animal project sponsored by the Future Farmers of America, 4-H, or similar organizations upon properties within all zoning districts is permitted solely in association with an established residence; and subject to all applicable minimum requirements set forth in this section:

A.

All regulations set forth in Table 17.35.500 shall apply to 4-H student animal projects as follows:

Table 17.35.500

Type of Animal Minimum Area Minimum Required Maximum Number Per Animal Net Lot Area Animals Permitted (square feet) (One Animal) (square feet)

Horse/cow 10,500 21,390 1

Swine  4,500 15,390 3

Sheep/goat  3,500 14,390 3

Turkey  2,000 11,000 3

Poultry/fowl  1,000 10,000 12 

Rabbits    600  9,600 15 

Chinchilla    600  9,600 6

B.

The minimum site area per animal requirements of Table 17.35.500 shall apply in addition to a minimum site area requirement assigned to each category of animal as follows:

Category of Animal Minimum Net Lot Area* (square feet)

Hoofed animals (horse, cow, sheep, swine, etc.) 10,890

Nonhoofed animals (fowl, poultry, rabbits, etc.) 9,000

* Note: Defined as existing lot area excluding land within roadway easements.

C.

Area requirements for 4-H student animal projects shall be determined cumulatively for the purpose of establishing the number of animals allowed, and shall not apply solely to the actual site area used by a particular animal.

D.

The temporary raising of livestock animals as a 4-H sponsored student animal project may be permitted upon property in accordance with all applicable regulations set forth in this section during a period of time not exceeding nine (9) months during a calendar year.

E.

Minimum enclosure setback requirements as set forth in Section 17.35.200 of this chapter shall also apply to the temporary raising of livestock animals as a 4-H sponsored student animal project.

(Ord. No. 395, § 5, 2003; Ord. 264, § 2 (part), 1995; Ord. 214, § 2 (part), 1992)