Apple Valley planning commission backs pig ordinance with 25-pig conditional cap

The Apple Valley Planning Commission on Jan. 8 recommended that the town council adopt a new pigs ordinance establishing a 15-pig limit by right on agricultural lots and allowing conditional-use permits for up to 25 pigs.

The vote came after a resident urged the commission to allow a small allowance for “feeder pigs” on 5–10 acre parcels and after commissioners debated where to draw the line between homesteading and commercial operations.

Colton Lender, a resident of Apple Valley, told the commission he supports limited backyard pork production and urged flexibility for families and 4‑H or stock‑show participants. “I think it's a very healthy conversation to have about the sustainability of our, lives here in Apple Valley and our way to to be able to remain here in the issue that there's food shortages in the future, which is a very real possibility,” Lender said. He proposed language that would permit up to three feeder pigs on lots between 5 and 10 acres so long as the animals were not breeding stock kept year‑round.

A staff presenter described how…