Resident asks council for temporary exemption to keep a teacup goat; appeal denied

Resident Portia asked the Powell City Council for a temporary exemption so she could keep a very small Nigerian dwarf pygmy goat she said she obtained to help with anxiety.

Portia said the goat lives mostly indoors, "fits in the bib of my overalls," and that she had reduced her other animals to comply with city limits. "I got her from one of my best friends in hopes that she would help me with anxiety," Portia said. She asked the council for a two- to five-year exception while she works on obtaining tax returns needed for a home loan that would allow her to move outside city limits.

Council members discussed the city's existing ordinance, noting it specifically prohibits goats. One councilmember said the ordinance is "pretty specifically spelled out like goats are not allowed." Council members cited concerns about setting precedent if the council granted an exception for a single, very small animal.

Councilmember moved to deny the appeal; the motion was seconded and put to a voice vote. The motion carried.

The council did not adopt any ordinance changes at the meeting. Portia said she provided letters from neighbors supporting her request and explained she had already reduced her flock of chickens to meet the ordinance limits. The resident also described efforts to have the goat certified as an emotional-support animal and clarified she was not requesting a permanent rezoning or a citywide ordinance change.

The council's action was a formal denial of the specific appeal/request for exception; no waiver or ordinance revision was adopted at this meeting. Portia thanked the council after the vote.

A copy of the city code language prohibiting goats was referenced repeatedly by council members during the discussion.