Task Force delivers Ordinance 11A draft limiting household pets in development districts

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Domestic Animal Task Force presented a draft of Ordinance 11A for the Commission’s consideration, proposing concrete limits and enforcement language for domestic animals in defined development districts. Jeffrey Miles, chair of the Task Force, said the draft sets the general limit at three dogs and cats combined within covered areas and includes emergency provisions for enforcement.

Miles told the Commission the ordinance’s scope focuses on district boundaries and that the draft includes a one‑acre threshold for lots that would not fall under the ordinance: "I was one of the people that a half-acre lot would be the delineation. However, confirming with the heads of departments it was decided that the best option was to go with one acre." Commissioners exchanged questions about whether a single rule should apply across a mix of lot sizes and whether the county had removed the kennel license pathway as a mechanism for granting exceptions. Miles said the Task Force intentionally removed the kennel-license option, noting kennels are generally defined as for‑profit operations and raising enforcement capacity concerns.

Commissioner Ed Beaudette commended the Task Force for its work, calling the draft "fair" and "reasonable" based on community meetings. County Attorney Morgan Smith asked for time to redline the ordinance and recommended an opportunity for all commissioners to review legal edits before any vote: "I need an opportunity to redline this, and I think it's going to take a pretty good chunk of time." Chair Kevin Hart said he would tentatively place the item on a future work session about four weeks out so the attorney and commissioners can complete their review. No formal action or vote was taken at the work session.