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Kaysville council approves ordinance to reclassify miniature horses in city code
Summary
Council approved an ordinance creating new farm-animal size categories and recategorizing miniature horses, a change sought by a resident applicant; the planning commission had recommended approval unanimously.
KAYSVILLE, Utah — The Kaysville City Council on Monday approved an ordinance to add definitions and size-based categories for farm animals in the city land-use code, a change that reclassifies miniature horses separately from full-size horses.
The measure, introduced by city staff after a resident application, creates four farm-animal categories (miniature, small, medium, large) and adds a separate definition for miniature horses using the American Miniature Horse Association standard, City Development Director explained during the meeting.
Council action followed a unanimous recommendation from the Kaysville Planning Commission, which held a public hearing on Jan. 9. The planning commission record showed three public commenters; after questions and clarifications, the commission recommended approval.
Development staff told the council the change is intended to distinguish animals that have different impacts on lot size, nuisance potential and infrastructure needs. Under the revised matrix presented to the council, minimum lot-size and square-footage requirements are tied to the new animal categories rather than the older, more granular table that repeated the same per-animal area across many lot-size rows.
Applicant Ben Wilson, who said he and his family keep four miniature horses and moved to Kaysville from Florida, told the council the reclassification was important so his family could keep the animals at home. "We came here from Florida to be closer to family… after the fact found out that miniature horses counted as full size horses," Wilson said. He thanked city staff and the zoning commission for their work.
Council members asked practical questions about animal care and housing; Wilson said miniature horses are hardy and do well outdoors. Staff noted the ordinance retains a requirement that larger farm animals be limited to half-acre (RA) lots and explained that an odd square-foot number in the code (5,049.45) reflects progressive subdivisions of the half-acre standard and would remain consistent under the rewrite.
Following a motion and second, the council approved the ordinance amending Kaysville City Code 17-2-4-2 (farm animals) and 17-2 (definitions). Council member Jackson voiced approval during the roll call and the mayor announced the motion carried.
The ordinance will change how animal types such as llamas, miniature horses and full-size horses are regulated and is intended to reduce ambiguity in the existing code language. Staff said the planning commission and staff prepared the definitions and table to reduce repetitive rows and to make enforcement clearer.
The applicant and planning staff will be available to answer follow-up questions as the updated code language is published and becomes effective.
