Woodlake Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 Animals Generally

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep or maintain, or permit to be kept or maintained any of the following animals on lots less than one acre: horses, cows, sheep, goats, hogs, roosters, mules, donkeys; provided further, that no such animals be kept or maintained in this city within one hundred (100) feet of the dwelling house of another.

(Ord. 298 § 1, 1975)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep or maintain, or permit to be kept or maintained, in this city any of the following animals within twenty-five (25) feet of from any residence or dwelling: chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, pigeons or other fowls provided further, that not more than four such animals or other similar fowls on any combination shall be kept or maintained on any occupied lot or premises in this city.

(Ord. 298 § 2, 1975)

(Ord. No. 614, § 2, 8-17-2017; Ord. No. 624, § 2, 1-13-2020)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation owning or maintaining any animals or fowls to either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any cruel acts upon said animals or fowls. Cruel acts are defined as follows:

1. To keep refuse matter unremoved for less than thirty (30) days causing offensive odor and attraction of insects in where the animals are kept, the refuse matter shall be picked up every forty-eight (48) hours and kept in flytight containers

2. To fail, refuse or neglect to provide any animal in their charge or custody as owner or otherwise, with food, drink, shade, or weatherproof housing facilities, or to carry any animal in or upon any vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner.

3. To promote, stage, hold, manage, conduct, carry on or attend any game, exhibition, contest, or fight in which one or more animals are engaged for the purpose of injuring, killing, maiming or destroying themselves or any other animal or person;

4. To keep upon any premises, any animals, including any fowls or household pets in a foul, offensive, obnoxious, filthy or unsanitary condition;

5. To abandon any animal with the intention of avoiding the responsibility for its custody and care;

6. To keep or maintain any live animal in a cage, coop, hutch, pen, yard or space which is less than three times as large in floor space as the total size of all live animals which may be kept therein, and which is not of sufficient height to permit each animal to stand in a natural erect position.

(Ord. 298 § 3, 1975)

(Ord. No. 624, § 2, 1-13-2020)

It is unlawful to permit or suffer any of the animals or fowls to run at large upon any public property, in this city or to be tethered, kept or maintained upon any vacant lot or premises in this city.

(Ord. 298 § 4, 1975)

It is unlawful for any person to ride, drive, run or lead, any horse, cow or animal of burden upon any sidewalk or curbing or to permit the same to stand thereupon, except when necessary to cross a sidewalk or curbing in going to or coming form private property.

Exception is made for any certified and registered service animals used to assist persons with disabilities.

(Ord. 298 § 5, 1975)

(Ord. No. 616, § 2, 11-13-2017)

It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain or cause to be kept or maintained, within the city any of the following animals:

A. Bees. No person shall keep, within the city, any hive or swarm of honey bees.

B. Wild Animals. Wild animals are not permitted in city. It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain or cause to be kept or maintained, within the city any wild animal except those enumerated under Section 6.08.070.

Wild Animal—Definition. "Wild animal" means and includes any animal, reptile, fowl or fish which is not tame or gentle as found in nature but is of a wild nature or disposition, or which is known to be vicious, or which must be kept in confinement to be brought within the immediate power of the owner.

(Ord. 298 § 6, 1975)

This chapter shall not prohibit the keeping of any bird life except as otherwise provided by law, any hamster, guinea pig, white rats and/or mice, any turtle, any nonpoisonous toads, lizards, chameleons, kangaroo rats, any fish except piranha and walking catfish.

(Ord. 298 § 7, 1975)

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

1. Four dogs over the age of four months;

2. Three cats over the age of four months;

3. Three reptiles;

4. The combined total of household pets shall not exceed six animals.

The city administrator or his/her designee may allow the occupant of a household to maintain additional household pets on a temporary basis, and on such terms and conditions such as if it would be dangerous to the animal's health and well-being to be immediately removed.

(Ord. No. 624, § 2, 1-13-2020)

It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within single-family residential uses any chickens except as follows:

1. A total of not more than four chicken hens may be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary environment.

2. No part of any structure (i.e., coop) shall be located less than twenty-five (25) feet from any residence. Further, the keeping of chickens shall not create a health or nuisance problem.

3. The permissive keeping of chickens shall be subject to the following minimum standards:

a. All chickens shall be kept in an area which is fenced so as to prevent the chickens from roaming, and such fenced area shall be wholly located within the rear yard of the site where the chickens are kept.

b. Within the fenced area, a shelter shall be provided of sufficient size to provide cover for the chickens kept on the parcel.

c. Enclosure areas shall be of sufficient size to provide adequate and proper housing so as to prevent overcrowding.

d. Roosters are expressly prohibited.

(Ord. No. 624, § 2, 1-13-2020)

Any violation of this chapter shall be deemed a public nuisance and any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to an administrative penalty, fines, enforcement, and abatement proceedings, as set forth in 8.28.080, Abatement by the city. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.

(Ord. 298 § 8, 1975)

(Ord. No. 624, § 2, 1-13-2020)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 624, § 2, adopted January 13, 2020, added new provisions and subsequently renumbered former § 6.08.080 as 6.08.100.