Committee directs staff to draft code change to allow HOAs to rent goats for weed control

The General Services Public Works committee on March 24 directed staff to prepare amendments to Municipal Code 6-15-10(E) to allow homeowners associations to temporarily house rented goats for weed abatement on HOA-owned open space, provided the animals are kept in secure enclosures and the application goes through animal control.

Staff said the Meadow Ranch Homeowners Association requested the change for an open-space area behind the Fred Meyer shopping area that is steep and difficult to access with conventional weed-abatement equipment. “They’ve looked at several landscape companies and because of the geography of it, they aren’t able to use traditional weed abatement,” Staff member (presenter) said. The presenter added city crews have used rented goats previously around water tanks and similar sites.

The presenter said the city’s code currently limits temporary goat housing to the city or public agencies because goats are treated as non-domestic animals under existing rules. “So the code would need to be amended to allow for homeowners association to come forward, to request from the city to use those goats on a temporary basis,” the presenter said. The proposed amendment would require an application and notification to animal control so staff know when and where goats will be placed.

Committee members discussed safety and animal-care safeguards. A committee member noted that the fire department had worked with the homeowners association on fire-safety concerns for the site; Fire department representative Kenny confirmed the vegetation presented a fire hazard. Randy, a staff member mentioned during the discussion, also provided logistical context about prior goat demonstrations.

Council member (motion maker) moved to direct staff to prepare the amendments; the chair seconded the motion and the committee approved it. Staff said it is hopeful the amendment can return for consideration at the April 1 regular agenda, subject to changes requested by council. The presenter also said the application would require the HOA to describe how the goats will be cared for while on site and that goats are typically rented from a commercial vendor that brings fencing, feed and water.

The item combines discussion of public-safety risk, animal-welfare safeguards and a technical change to municipal code. Committee members emphasized that the authorization would be narrowly scoped to temporary weed control by HOAs and would not open the code to pet goats.

The committee moved on after instructing staff to prepare the draft amendment for public agenda review.