I found your code of ordinance. Here's what I found re: Chickens, and dogs running at large... clearly the neighbor is at fault. However, this stuff is just froim Chapter 6, "Animals". Second, you'll find the Zoning restrictions, which limit the amount you can have. I don't know if you live in urban or rural, you'll have to determine that, and then its based on lot size.
6.03.020
Animals at Large on Private Property.
It is unlawful for the owner or person having control or custody of any animal to allow such
animal to enter or trespass upon private property without the express permission of the owner or
caretaker of such property. Any such animal may be seized and impounded. (Ord. 95-151S § 3
(part), 1996; Ord. 87-40S § 2 (part), 1987)
6.03.025 Poultry Running at Large.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having the charge and control of any chickens,
geese, ducks, or other domestic fowl to allow such poultry to enter or trespass upon private
property without the express permission of the owner or caretaker of such property. Any such
fowl may be seized and impounded. (Ord. 95-151S § 3 (part), 1996)
6.03.070
Animals Injuring Humans, Domestic Animals, or Livestock - Gross
Misdemeanor.
It is unlawful for the owner or other person having control or custody of any animal to allow
such animal to cause injury to a human, domestic animal, or livestock which is acting in a lawful
manner. Any such animal may be seized and impounded. Any violation of this Section is a
gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 365 days in jail and/or a $5,000.00 fine. (Ord.
99-17 § 2 (part), 1999; Ord. 95-151S §3 (part), 1996; Ord. 87-40S § 2 (part), 1987)
6.14.010 Unlawful to Sell or Give Away in Quantity Under Six.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell or offer for sale, barter or give
away living baby chicks, rabbits, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age in any
quantity less than six. (Ord. 89-141 § 5 (part), 1989; Res. 7256 §1, 1959; prior Code
§ 36.04.010)
ZONING
18A.35.090 Agricultural Uses and Animals.
A. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to regulate agricultural uses and animals, and to
provide certain limitations for the placement of these uses. Minimum lot sizes, setbacks,
and best management practices are used to reduce conflicts between land uses that may
not be compatible and to protect environmentally sensitive areas.
B. General Standards. Agricultural uses and animals that are permitted in the Use Tables
or pursuant to Section 18A.35.090, Agricultural Uses and Animals, shall be subject to
the following requirements:
1. Animals As a Principal Use. Animals shall be permitted subject to the following
criteria:
a. Livestock. Livestock shall be permitted subject to this Section and the
following provisions:
(1) A fence used to enclose pasture lands may be constructed on the property
line.
(2) A fence constructed to permanently keep livestock out of buffers abutting
streams, rivers, and wetlands shall be required pursuant to Chapters 17.12,
Wetlands, and 21.18, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Areas. Such fence shall be
constructed before livestock is introduced to a site.
(3) Any barn, stable, riding arena, paddock, or similar enclosure shall be
setback 45 feet from any adjacent property line.
b. Small Animals. Small animals shall be permitted subject to the following
provisions:
(1) Any cages, coop or enclosure shall be setback 45 feet from any adjacent
property line except kennels or catteries which shall be setback 75 feet from
any adjacent property line.c. Wild Animals and Reptiles. No person shall have, maintain, or possess any
wolf, fox, chimpanzee, or other exotic, vicious, or poisonous animal or reptile
except as set forth in Chapter 6.16.
C
. Urban Area Requirements. Agricultural uses and animals shall be permitted in all
urban zoning classifications as an accessory use to a residential dwelling subject to the
standards in this Section. The following requirements apply to livestock and small
animals kept in urban areas:
1. Livestock are not permitted on lots less than 1 acre.
2. On any lot from 1 acre to less than 5 acres in size, the number of livestock shall not
exceed 2 such animals which are 12 months or more of age.
3
. No more than 6 poultry, peacocks, or rabbits and similar small animals in any
combination are permitted on lots less than 1 acre.
4. On any lot from 1 acre to less than 5 acres in size, no more than 12 poultry,
peacocks, or rabbits and similar small animals in any combination are permitted per
acre.Title 18A - Pierce County Development Regulations Zoning
18A.35 -- 60
18A.35.090
5. On any lot 5 acres or greater in size, there shall be no restriction on the number of
animals kept subject to the other provisions in this Section.
6. Any cages, barn, stable, coop or enclosure shall be setback 45 feet from any adjacent
property line except kennels or catteries which shall be setback 75 feet from any
adjacent property lines.7. Dogs and Cats. Any combination of five dogs or cats that individually exceed seven
months of age are permitted. Any combination of six or more dogs or cats that
individually exceed seven months of age are permitted pursuant to Section
18A.33.260 C., Animal Production, Boarding and Slaughtering.
D. Rural Area Requirements. Agricultural uses and animals shall be permitted in all
rural zoning classifications as an accessory use to a residential dwelling subject to the
standards in Section 18A.35.090 B.1.a. and b. The following requirements apply to
livestock and small animals kept in rural areas:
1. Livestock are not permitted on lots less than one-half acre.
2
. On lots less than one-half acre in size, poultry, pigeons, peacocks, and similar birds
and rabbits and similar animals are limited to a total of 12 in any combination.
3. On lots one-half acre or greater in size, there shall be no restriction on the number of
animals kept subject to the other provisions in this Section.
4. Any cages, coop or enclosure shall be setback 45 feet from any adjacent property
line except kennels or catteries which shall be setback 75 feet from any adjacent
property lines.E. Additional Standards for Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Areas designated
Natural in the Pierce County Shoreline Management Use Regulations and the drainage
basins of Burley Lagoon, Minter Bay, Rocky Bay, Filucy Bay, and Clear Creek as
depicted on maps on file with the Department. In addition to the other requirements of
this Section, the following standards shall apply to all commercial and non-commercial
agricultural uses in these environmentally sensitive areas.
1. Livestock and small animals are not permitted on lots less than 1 acre.
2. Livestock shall be limited to 1 per acre of fenced usable pasture.
3. Small animals shall be limited to 5 per acre.
F. Hobby Farms. Farm animals, agricultural activities, and associated structures may be
established on any lot as a non-commercial use without an associated dwelling unit,
provided:
1. The applicant completes a Hobby Farm Agreement provided by the Department.
Each Hobby Farm Agreement shall:
a. Define the type and intensity of all proposed agricultural activities.
b. Clarify that the use of the site is for private, non-commercial use.
c. Provide time frames for periodic Departmental monitoring.
d. Be signed by the property owner and recorded as a title notice with the Pierce
County Auditor.
2. Hobby farms must comply with all other requirements of this Section.
G. Farm Management Plans. The requirements in this Section may be exceeded provided
the property owner completes and complies with a Farm Management Plan in
conjunction with the Pierce County Conservation District, the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, or other agency acceptable to the Department. The Plan must
address, at a minimum, best management practices for the control of animal wastes,
stormwater runoff, and erosion.
I got all this from the web site:
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/PC/Abtus/ourorg/council/code/Index.htm
Hope this helps!!
Stacey
). My neighbors dogs have killed 2 of my chickens, my 2 geese, 3 rabbits, and attacked my dog. I have had many talks with her and she seems concerned, and chains up her dogs for a little while... but in no time at all her dogs are jumping the fence and getting my animals. I was just wondering if anyone knew if there are regulations on how many chickens you can have in Graham, WA. I'm really ready to call animal control, but don't want to call on her dogs if i'm not even allowed that many chickens. Also... I don't want to hurt the dogs.. but what else can I do to keep my animals safe... i'm worried that if I put in a bigger fence they'll only start digging under it. My husband started putting the dead animals on their porch, but I don't think thats getting the point accross... I would like to have a good relationship with my neighbor, but this is making it very difficult!
