§ 62-2133. Administrative permit for a farm animal as a pet at a residence.

(a)

Any residential property owner on a GU zoned lot may request from the zoning official an administrative permit for a farm animal as a pet at a residence. The intent of this permit is to allow certain exotic or miniature species such as Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs or Pygmy Goats, which would otherwise be classified as farm animals under this regulation, to be permitted as pets. Such a permit may be issued only under the following conditions:

(1)

The applicant shall specify the number and species of animals to be kept as pets.

(2)

The request shall be made on a residentially developed lot zoned GU of at least one acre.

(3)

There shall be no more than one pet farm animal per acre.

(4)

No such pet shall exceed 150 pounds in weight.

(5)

The animal shall not be used for breeding purposes.

(b)

Applicants for the administrative permit shall submit a letter to the zoning official setting forth the specific request and the need therefor. The letter shall have the following documents attached thereto:

(1)

A signed affidavit from all property owners within 200 feet indicating no objection to the requested permit.

(2)

Verification by certified survey, recorded deed or other means satisfactory to the zoning official to determine the size of the lot.

(3)

Verification by a licensed veterinarian of the species and weight of the animal.

(c)

Failure of the applicant to obtain signatures of all property owners within 200 feet will result in denial of the administrative permit. Denial of the request for an administrative permit under the provisions of this section may be appealed to the board of county commissioners in public meeting. The county shall notify all property owners within 200 feet of the date, place and time of the meeting.

(d)

The permit is valid only for a specific animal on a specific lot. The permit shall not be transferable to any other animal or to some other residential lot. Should the animal exceed the weight limit described above, or be used for breeding purposes, the permit shall become invalid. Should it be determined by the county animal control director that the animal is being treated in an inhumane manner, or has become a nuisance to the neighborhood, the permit shall become invalid and may be revoked.

(e)

Administrative permits are valid for one year and are renewable for successive one-year periods. However, if the activity ceases to be compatible with the character of the neighborhood, as evidenced by code enforcement investigation, the permit shall not be renewed and may be revoked. The owner will be notified in writing if the permit is revoked or will not be renewed administratively. Renewals of permits that are revoked administratively or which are not renewed administratively may be reconsidered only by board of county commissioners action pursuant to subsection (c) above.

(Ord. No. 96-20, § 1, 4-16-96)