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Council reviews comprehensive animal‑control amendments including beekeeping rules and bite/quarantine changes
Summary
Staff presented comprehensive updates to Chapter 4 (animals) introducing a residential beekeeping permit with lot‑size–based hive limits, fly‑away barriers and setbacks, clarified running‑at‑large/tethering language, stronger bite and quarantine provisions, and updated impoundment and microchipping procedures; council asked for time to review prior to first reading on April 14.
City staff presented a package of proposed revisions to Chapter 4 (Animals) intended to clarify enforcement and respond to recurring operational issues. The key components presented were:
- Beekeeping: A new section would allow residential beekeeping with permit requirements, hive limits tied to lot size, setbacks (25 ft from property lines; 50 ft from streets or occupied structures unless a 6‑ft fly‑away barrier is installed), hive construction and placement standards, and a required continual water source to discourage bees congregating at neighbors’ pools.
- Running at large and tethering: Proposed language clarifies that animals tethered to structures or otherwise restrained must not be able to come within 10 ft of public walkways; staff wants to close enforcement gaps where tethering (not staking) previously avoided citation.
- Bites, rabies and quarantine: Draft language would prohibit unprovoked bites or attacks and provide quarantine and control measures; it would align rabies vaccine language with veterinary practice by requiring a current rabies vaccination (allowing 1‑ or 3‑year vaccines as determined by a veterinarian) and require proof/tagging.
- Impoundment and microchipping: Staff proposed improved impoundment procedures, including reasonable owner‑identification efforts, transfer to contracted shelter partners, and microchipping/vaccination for animals in shelter custody. Staff said shelter partners indicated microchipping/vaccination would not be charged to owners as part of current arrangements, but that terms depend on the shelter used.
Council members commended the thoroughness, asked for clearer consolidated language in the ordinance draft, and requested time to review the full text. Staff expects to return with properly consolidated code language and a first reading on April 14.
