The Dalles council adopts new animal ordinance, sets poultry and livestock limits and three‑year permits
Loading...
Summary
The Dalles City Council on March 24 adopted an update to Municipal Code Chapter 5 that revises definitions for pets, poultry and livestock, sets new lot‑size and numerosity rules and moves livestock permit renewals to a three‑year cycle. The ordinance takes effect July 1.
The Dalles City Council on March 24 adopted General Ordinance No. 25‑1411, which amends Dallas Municipal Code Chapter 5 to change how the city defines and regulates household pets, poultry and livestock, and to revise permit and enforcement procedures. The ordinance, approved as amended, becomes effective July 1 and directs staff to conduct public outreach before it goes into force.
Councilors and staff said the rewrite responds to concerns raised during an earlier study session and public comment and aims to clarify the city’s rules while preserving public health, safety and welfare. The revision shortens the definition of a noise “continuous annoyance” from 15 minutes to 10 uninterrupted minutes or 10 minutes intermittently in any 30‑minute period, officials said.
Key changes adopted include: a revised household‑pet definition that adds rabbits and removes pot‑bellied pigs from that category; a new separate definition for poultry; and a clarified livestock category that includes poultry plus other large domesticated animals. The ordinance lists prohibited animals (including cows, wolves, certain exotic animals, swine and roosters over six months) and adds ostriches and swine to that prohibited list.
Council and staff also changed permit and lot‑size rules. Livestock other than poultry will generally require a minimum of 20,000 square feet per animal. Poultry limits are now tiered: up to 12 birds are allowed on any lot without a minimum lot size; 13–20 birds require a minimum lot of 10,000 square feet; and 21 or more birds require an additional 1,000 square feet per bird above 20. Young poultry (under one year) may be kept at up to 1.5 times the number allowed for adults for a temporary period. The city moved livestock permit renewals to a three‑year cycle (previously annual) and adjusted nonconforming‑use protections so some existing permit holders may retain current numbers where permitted.
Enforcement provisions were preserved and adjusted: the number of escapes required to establish a confinement violation in a 12‑month period was lowered from four to three incidents, and the chief of police retains authority to revoke permits if animals or facilities are not maintained in sanitary conditions or otherwise present an unreasonable risk to persons or property. Staff emphasized the ordinance also allows the chief of police case‑by‑case discretion to permit similarly sized animals or to make exceptions to numerosity limits when doing so would protect public health, safety, and welfare.
Several residents spoke during the public comment period. Debbie Ritzelderfer asked how the changes would affect neighbors who already keep goats; Jesse Chaucer, who said he runs an “urban homestead” at 1112 Blakely Drive, urged flexibility for people who keep poultry and noted short‑term flocks of meat birds; Chuck Covert and others urged clarity and thanked staff for the rewrite. City staff told speakers that existing permit holders would generally be treated as nonconforming and given time to adjust, and that staff would continue outreach before July 1.
The ordinance was moved by Councilor Randall and seconded by Councilor Richardson. The motion passed; council members present voted to adopt the ordinance as amended. Staff said they will implement outreach and update administrative processes before the July 1 effective date.
