Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Taft?

Taft's code: Up to 4 adult poultry or small animals, plus 4 per extra 10,000 square feet, up to 20 total. (Noncommercial keeping in A and RS zones, on parcels of 10,000 square feet net or more.) (§ 6-12-4); Yes, only with a conditional use permit; hives at least 400 feet from streets, schools, parks and others' homes. (Applies to noncommercial beekeeping in the agricultural zone.) (§ 6-12-4).

Pets, chickens and bees in Taft: the local rules

Taft code What Taft's code adds
Bees	Yes, only with a conditional use permit; hives at least 400 feet from streets, schools, parks and others' homes. Applies: Applies to noncommercial beekeeping in the agricultural zone. § 6-12-4 · code text Noncommercial apiary (beekeeping); provided, that hives and/or boxes shall be placed a minimum of four hundred feet (400') from any street, ro
Chickens	Up to 4 adult poultry or small animals, plus 4 per extra 10,000 square feet, up to 20 total. Applies: Noncommercial keeping in A and RS zones, on parcels of 10,000 square feet net or more. § 6-12-4 · code text On parcels ten thousand (10,000) square feet net lot area or larger, a maximum of four (4) such adult animals per each additional ten thousand (10,000) square feet of net lot area, in any combination of species, may be kept, provided the total number kept does not exceed twenty (20) animals.
Large animals	No horses under 20,000 square feet; 1 adult horse per 20,000 square feet, up to 6 horses or ponies. Applies: Applies to noncommercial keeping in A and RS zones. § 6-12-4 · code text One adult horse may be kept on a parcel for each twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of net lot area, up to a maximum of six (6) horses or ponies, or combination thereof. None under 20,000 square feet; 2 adult goats or sheep per extra 20,000 square feet, up to 6. Applies: Noncommercial keeping of goats, sheep and other small cleft-hoof animals in A and RS zones. § 6-12-4 · code text Two (2) adult goats, sheep or other small sized cleft hoof animal may be kept for each additional twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of net lot area, up to a maximum of six (6) adult animals total, in any combination of species.
Permit	A temporary animal permit allows raising more livestock than normally allowed. Applies: Applies to minors' student fair projects sponsored by a real agricultural organization. § 6-12-4 · code text The breeding and raising of livestock, in greater numbers than allowed in this section, by minors in conjunction with a student oriented fair project sponsored by a bona fide agricultural organization shall be permitted upon application to and approval by the project assistance team.
Pet limit	No more than 4 dogs that require a license, per residence. Applies: Applies to any residence other than a licensed veterinary facility. § 8-2-15 · code text It is unlawful to keep, harbor or maintain at any residence, other than a licensed veterinary facility, more than four (4) dogs subject to license under this chapter. Up to 4 adult household pets other than dogs per 10,000 square feet, up to 20 total. Applies: Applies in A, RS, R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones. § 6-12-4 · code text The keeping of up to four (4) domestic, adult household pets, other than dogs, including domestic birds, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, etc., shall be permitted in any combination of species for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of net lot area, provided the total number of adult household pets kept does not exceed twenty (20) animals.

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