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TextAnimals & Pets
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In general, county
rules allow residents to keep animals on their property,
including cats, dogs, horses, livestock, and domestic
fowl. Animals may not be kept on a residential property for
commercial purposes. There also may be setback, location and permit
requirements for barns and shelters for animals.
A residential property’s lot size also determines how many animals may be kept:
Cats
There are no limits on how many may be kept on a property.
Dogs
- 1 to 2 = No requirement
- 3 to 4 = 12,500 square feet
- 5 to 6 = 20,000 square feet
- 7 or more = 25,000 square feet plus 5,000 sq feet for each additional dog above 7
Livestock
They only may be kept on lots that are two acres or greater and shall not exceed the ratio of one animal unit per one acre. Animal units are defined as:
- 2 head of cattle = 1 animal unit
- 3 horses = 1 animal unit
- 5 sheep = 1 animal unit
- 5 swine = 1 animal unit
- 5 goats = 1 animal unit
- 5 llamas = 1 animal unit
- 5 alpacas = 1 animal unit
Horses shall include ponies, mules, burros and donkeys. Only horses six months or older and cattle, sheep, goats, and swine one year or older are counted in the ratio. In addition, combinations of animals are allowed, provided that the ratio of one animal unit per one acre is followed.
Domestic Fowl
Fowl, such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese, may only be kept on lots that are two acres or greater. They shall not exceed the ratio of one bird unit per one acre, with a bird unit defined as:
- 32 chickens = 1 bird unit
- 16 ducks = 1 bird unit
- 8 turkeys = 1 bird unit
- 8 geese = 1 bird unit
Only fowl six months or older are counted in the ratio.
Pigeons
Racing, homing, or exhibition (fancy) pigeons are allowed on any lot that is 10,000 square feet or more.
Honeybees
Four beehives or less are allowed on any lot. On lots 10,000 square feet or larger, more than four hives may be kept, provided there is an additional lot area of 2,500 square feet for each hive.
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