Supervisors ask county attorney to draft ordinance to allow indoor small-animal rescue uses in single-family homes

Doctor Seaton told the board that Bunny Loo Rabbit Rescue, a regional 501(c)(3) operating in a single-family home in the county, was at risk after a neighborhood complaint about outdoor manure and that volunteers had since cleaned and begun off-site disposal. He moved that the county attorney propose changes to the zoning ordinance to allow the rescue or similar indoor animal rescue uses in single-family residential areas.

"I would like to make a motion that the county attorney propose changes to permit uses in single family residential that would allow this rescue to stay," Doctor Seaton said. He described the rescue as a small, volunteer-run operation that keeps animals indoors, sells only accessory items to raise funds and reduces shelter intake for rabbits.

Board discussion noted the rescue's regional value, volunteer staffing and the mitigation steps already taken (volunteer removal of manure and off-site disposal). County staff and the attorney discussed permitting options: an administrative permit with clear criteria (no discretion if standards are met) or a special-use permit subject to review. The county attorney said staff would explore both options and bring a workable recommendation back to the planning commission and board.

The board's motion asked staff and the county attorney to draft language that would allow indoor animal rescues that control outdoor impacts and meet defined mitigation measures. The motion was for staff to return with proposed ordinance language; no zoning change or permit was finalized at the meeting.