Lincoln County to hold hearing on revisions to dog-control ordinance

County staff told the commissioners they plan to amend the county dog-control ordinance (Ordinance 2026-XX) to add definitions for “agricultural operation,” “boarding facility” and “livestock operation” so exemptions in the barking/howling section can be applied consistently.

“The section does not apply to a dog owned, kept, or harbored at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter or as part of the business of a licensed veterinarian, animal boarding facility, or agricultural or livestock operation,” county staff said, explaining the revisions will make the ordinance clearer and reduce claims that a property qualifies for an exemption when it does not. Staff said the livestock definitions are rooted in state law and correspond to definitions in title 15 that govern taxation and assessment.

Staff described the core policy aim as distinguishing hobby or backyard animal keeping from commercial or licensed operations: the exemption should apply to bona fide businesses, not to residents who keep a few animals. Commissioners asked about nonprofit operations and whether tax filings or state licensing would suffice to show a qualifying operation; staff replied nonprofit entities that generate revenue and meet licensing or tax-reporting criteria could meet the proposed definition.

The board directed staff to post the ordinance for a public hearing (staff suggested a roughly three-week posting period) and coordinate language with the Board of Health’s updated boarding-facility definition for consistency. The commission will set a specific hearing date once posting is complete.