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Lincoln County to hold hearing on changes to dog-control ordinance to define agricultural, boarding and livestock operations
Summary
County staff introduced amendments to the dog-control ordinance that add definitions for agricultural operation, boarding facility and livestock operation to clarify exemptions for barking/howling and to reduce misuse of exemptions; the board agreed to post the proposal for public comment and a hearing.
County staff told the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on April 29 that proposed amendments to the county dog-control ordinance would add three definitions — agricultural operation, boarding facility and livestock operation — to make exemptions in the barking/howling section clearer and harder to misuse.
The staff presentation said the change targets cases where property owners assert an exemption but are not operating a business. The agricultural and livestock definitions draw on Montana Title 15 tax/assessment definitions and would be evidenced by state licensing or a Schedule F tax form, staff said. The boarding-facility definition follows the board of health’s kennel/boarding rules so applicants must declare when they operate an animal boarding facility.
Supporters on the dais said clearer definitions would make enforcement more consistent and reduce disputes over whether an exemption applies. Commissioners asked about nonprofits and secondary income; staff replied that revenue-generating nonprofits and state licensing could satisfy the definition’s criteria and offered to refine wording with counsel to avoid unintentionally excluding legitimate nonprofit operations.
The board directed staff to post the ordinance for public comment and a hearing, with an anticipated three-week public comment posting period before the hearing date is set.
The proposal will return for a public hearing before any ordinance is adopted.
