HomeMy WebLinkAboutCDN 2018-05-15 Item 2B - Discussion - Animal Regulations Relating to Chickens, Rates and RodentsCity of Tukwila
TO:
FROM: Jack Pace, DCD Director
BY:
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee
Nora Gierloff, Deputy DCD Director; Kia Shagena, Code Enforcement
Officer
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: May 9, 2018
SUBJECT: Tukwila's Animal Regulations and Rats
ISSUE
Council has asked for a briefing on existing chicken keeping regulations, as well as an analysis
of the role chickens may play in rat/rodent related concerns across the city.
BACKGROUND
Tukwila's animal regulations at TMC section 7.08 were updated in 2011 in response to a
request from the public to allow increased opportunities for residents to raise chickens. The
regulations were updated again in 2015 to align with the King County Animal Control Code.
The following table compares the current restrictions on chicken keeping in the South King
County jurisdictions of Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac, Kent, and Renton, as well as Tukwila and
Seattle.
City
Seattle
Min. Lot
Size
NONE
Setback:
Lot Line
Setback:
residence
Renton
Kent
.......................................
SeaTac
4,500 sq ft
NONE
10 ft*
10 ft
NONE
5,000 sq ft
NONE
Burien NONE
Des
Moines 22,000 sq ft
Tukwila NONE
10 ft
NONE
Per Zone
10 ft
35 ft
20 ft
NONE
20 ft
45 ft
65 ft
* Renton allows coops and kennels in rear yards only
'1 additional chicken allowed per each additional 1,000 sf.
*** SeaTac allows a total of 5 "outside animals," which includes chickens and roosters.
**** 5 for 7,200 sf and then 1 per 1,000 additional sf up to 15
Sources: Seattle Municipal Code 23.42.052, Renton Municipal Code 4-4-010, Kent Municipal Code
15.08.070, SeaTac Municipal Code 15.440.100, Burien Municipal Code 19.17.100, Des Moines
Municipal Code 18.150.080, and Tukwila Municipal Code 7.08
Tukwila does not have a minimum lot size for keeping chickens, instead treating them as an
accessory use. This means that chickens cannot be kept on an otherwise vacant parcel but
must be associated with another permitted use such as a residence or business. The limitation
of one chicken per 1,000 sf of parcel area relates the number of chickens to the size of the
parcel.
15
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
Since the adoption of the Tukwila Works platform, only 9 reported issues have directly
mentioned rats or rodents. Since 2014, Code Enforcement has opened approximately 16 cases
with direct mention of rats, rodents, or mice. Of these, one case related to chickens
(approximately 30 roosters were onsite). All other reported rat, rodent, or mice complaints were
related to other sources of concern such as an accumulation of garbage/rubbish, overgrowth,
and vacant structures. One complaint was related to bird feeding. Two complaints were related
to multifamily housing, both of which involved concern regarding tenant housekeeping.
In 2016, Tukwila's Residential Rental Business License Requirements at TMC section 5.06.040
were updated in response to public concern regarding pests in multi -family housing. A new
requirement was placed on multi -family properties to document an ongoing Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) program.
The Rental Housing team has found that most property owners and managers are unfamiliar
with IPM. Education plays a critical role in Code Enforcement's approach to correcting and
preventing violations. Code Enforcement continually strives to educate residents on the
community impact of garbage and overgrowth violations.
The Rental Housing Program website currently hosts two IPM training videos (which include:
"Managing Pests in Multifamily Housing" and "StopPests' IPM Coordinator Training"), the IPM
Guide for Affordable Housing; and links to additional IPM resources. Staff have attended an
IPM workshop, routinely discuss IPM with property owners and managers and are continuing to
enhance IPM efforts. Code Enforcement has developed a handout that specifically addresses
garbage/rubbish concerns with future plans to develop a handout focused on overgrowth.
DISCUSSION
Most rat issues have historically been directed to King County Public Health, therefore the
scope of rat related concerns across the city is unclear. Tukwila Works and past Code
Enforcement case history indicate that though the keeping of chickens plays a role in rat related
complaints, based on case history, chickens appear to represent a very small part of the
problem. More commonly issues are related to bird feeders, pet food kept outdoors, fruit trees
dropping fruit and unsecured garbage.
Implementing universal curbside garbage service for all residential properties (with a possible
opt out clause) would have several benefits. In addition to regular weekly curbside disposal, ALL
residents would also have the opportunity to participate in the bulk item curbside pick-up event
and any other special disposal events offered by Waste Management. This should reduce
stockpiling of garbage by self -haulers and the associated pests. The ability to opt out could be
forfeited if garbage/rubbish related violations are verified by Code Enforcement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The only direct costs would be outreach and staff time. Implementing a universal garbage
requirement would likely lower citywide waste disposal costs.
RECOMMENDATION
Information and discussion only.
ATTACHMENT
A. TMC Chapter 7.08
16 W:12018 Info Memos\Chicken-InfoMemo.doc
CHAPTER 7.08
LIVESTOCK, SMALL ANIMALS AND FOWL
Sections:
7.08.010 Chapter compliance required
7.08.020 Livestock defined
7.08.030 Small animals and fowl defined
7.08.040 Animals kept as pets
7.08.050 Roosters prohibited
7.08.060 Enclosure construction
7.08.070 Maintaining swine within City limits
7,08.080 Minimum area for keeping animals
7.08.090 Number of animals per property area size
7.08.100 Distance from any dwelling
7.08.110 One building per parcel for housing
7.08.120 Nuisance prohibited
7.08.130 Manure removal
7.08.140 Enforcement
7.08.150 Exemptions
7.08.010 Chapter compliance required
It is unlawful for any person, persons, firm or corporation to
keep or maintain livestock, small animals or fowl within the City
limits, except as provided in this chapter and TMC Title 18. If
there is a conflict between a provision of this chapter and a
provision in TMC Title 18, the provision in TMC Title 18 shall
control.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.020 Livestock defined
"Livestock," where used in this chapter, means and
includes horses, mules, ponies, cattle, sheep, goats, llama,
oxen and swine. "Large livestock,"where used in this chapter,
means and includes cattle, goats, llama, oxen and swine.
"Small livestock," where used in this chapter, means and
includes sheep and goats smaller than 24 inches at the shoulder
and/or not more than 150 pounds in weight.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.030 Small animals and fowl defined
"Small animals and fowl, "where used in this chapter means
and includes rabbits, chinchillas, chickens, geese, ducks,
turkeys, peafowl and pigeons.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 201 5)
7.08.040 Animals kept as pets
Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, fish, parrots,
parakeets and similar animals kept as household pets within a
dwelling unit will not be subject to the limitations of this chapter.
Dogs and cats are regulated by TMC Section 7.12.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (art), 2015)
Produced by the City of Tukwila, City Clerk's Office
TITLE 7 — ANIMALS
7.08.050 Roosters prohibited
The keeping of roosters within the City limits is prohibited.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.060 Enclosure construction
All livestock, small animals and fowl shall be kept within an
enclosure adequately built and maintained to prevent the
livestock, small animals and fowl from breaking through, out,
over or under the same. All pens, coops, hutches and housing
of any kind used for the housing of livestock, small animals and
fowl must be built to include siding or shakes or their equivalent,
and must be painted or stained to appear presentable.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.070 Maintaining swine within City limits
Swine may be kept or maintained within the City limits
provided they are kept within an enclosure as herein described,
the outside limits of which shall be not less than 200 feet from
the nearest residence.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.080 Minimum area for keeping animals
With the exception of chickens, no horses, mules, ponies,
small livestock, small animals or fowl shall be kept on any
property within the City limits where the parcel does not contain
a minimum of 10,000 square feet of area, or other minimum area
as set forth in this chapter. Chickens may be kept as an
accessory to any legal use regardless of the area of the parcel.
No large livestock shall be kept on any property within the City
limits where the parcel does not contain a minimum of 43,560
square feet (one acre) of area. At least 20,000 square feet of
pasture area is required for keeping a horse, mule or pony in the
City.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.090 Number of animals per property area size
A. Small animals and fowl shall be permitted in numbers
as follows:
1. Twelve rabbits, twelve chinchillas, twelve pigeons
or any combination of rabbits, chinchillas or pigeons, not to
exceed a total of twelve collectively, for 10,000 square feet of
property.
2. The number of rabbits, chinchillas or pigeons may
be increased by 1/10th for each additional 1,000 square feet of
property.
3. Six geese, six ducks, six peafowls, six turkeys or
any combination of geese, ducks or turkeys, not to exceed a
total of six collectively for 10,000 square feet of property.
4. The number of geese, ducks, peafowls or turkeys
may be increased 1/10th for each additional 1,000 square feet
of property.
5. One chicken per every 1,000 square feet of
property.
Attachment A
.......... Page 7-3
17
TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE
6. At no time shall the total number of small animals
or fowl exceed a total of twelve for each 10,000 square feet of
property.
B. Livestock shall be permitted in numbers as follows:
1. Not more than one horse, mule or pony for each
20,000 square feet of stable and pasture area, but not more than
a total of two of the above-mentioned animals shall be allowed
on the same lot.
2. Two large livestock for each 43,560 square feet
(one acre) of property. Additional large livestock requires an
additional 43,560 square feet (one acre) of property.
3. Not more than 3 small livestock for each 10,000
square feet of property, but not more than a total of 6 of the
above-mentioned animals shall be allowed on the same lot.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.100 Distance from any dwelling
Enclosures for the housing of small animals and fowl shall
be built and located not less than 10 feet from any dwelling and
property line. The roaming area for the small animals and fowl
shall be fenced and located not less than 10 feet from any
dwelling.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.110 One building per parcel for housing
Not more than one building for the housing of livestock,
small animals or fowl shall be allowed on any one parcel.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.120 Nuisance prohibited
No livestock, small animals or fowl shall be kept in such a
manner that a condition resulting from same shall constitute a
nuisance.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.130 Manure removal
A. All enclosures, confinement areas, and/or open run
areas shall be kept clean. Provision shall be made for the re-
moval of animal waste and food waste so that the areas are kept
free from infestation of insects, rodents or disease, as well as to
prevent obnoxious or foul odors. Animal waste shall be properly
disposed of and any accumulated animal waste must not be
stored within the parcel setback area. Any storage of animal
waste must not constitute a nuisance.
B. Manure shall not be allowed to collect in any place
where it can prejudicially affect any source of drinking water.
C. Manure, when used as a fertilizer, must be plowed or
spaded under within 24 hours after application.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.140 Enforcement
Code Enforcement Officers for the City or any law
enforcement officer shall be authorized to enforce this chapter,
unless otherwise provided.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
7.08.150 Exemptions
A Residents may keep all animals legally owned and
kept prior to the effective date of this ordinance, provided they
do not constitute a nuisance.
B. Any person, persons, firm or corporation who
discontinues the keeping or reduces the number of livestock,
small animals or fowl for a period of more than 90 days, or who
sells or transfers his property, shall then become subject to all
the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 2466 §2 (part), 2015)
Produced by the City of Tukwila, City Clerk's Office