HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09162014 - D.3RECOMMENDATION(S):
Authorize the Department of Conservation and Development to initiate a study for the raising and keeping of small
farm animals for non-commercial purposes as a basis for modifying the Contra Costa County Code to allow such use
within applicable residential land use districts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approximately $40,000. The cost of conducting this study will be funded by the Department of Conservation and
Development (Land Development Fund).
BACKGROUND:
Persons residing in unincorporated areas of the County have expressed a desire to be allowed to raise and keep
chickens, goats, and other small farm animals on smaller residential properties. Accordingly, this Board Order is
directing staff to initiate a study for an amendment to the County Code to allow the raising of certain small farm
animals for non-commercial purposes on smaller residential properties.
The Contra Costa County Code allows small farming, including the raising and keeping of poultry, rabbits, and other
grain-fed rodents primarily for home consumption on a residential property of at least twenty thousand square feet in
area. Keeping of livestock is allowed on properties of at least forty thousand square feet in area. The raising or
keeping of animals other than ordinary household pets is not allowed on a residential property less than twenty
thousand square feet in area.
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 09/16/2014 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
ABSENT:Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Contact: Stanley Muraoka (925)
674-7781
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of
Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: September 16, 2014
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
D.3
To:Board of Supervisors
From:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Date:September 16, 2014
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Authorize a Study to Amend County Code to Allow the Raising of Small Farm Animals for Non-Commercial
Purposes on Smaller Residential Properties
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
Regulations for the raising and keeping of small farm animals vary across local jurisdictions in the County. Some
local jurisdictions allow the raising and keeping of certain small farm animals, such as chickens and goats, on
residential properties, either by right or through a land use permit, on properties that are less than twenty thousand
square feet.
Almost all of the local jurisdictions that allow the raising and keeping of certain small farm animals regulate animal
enclosures. The purpose of the regulations on enclosures is to ensure compatibility of raising and keeping of the
small farm animals with other uses in residential land use districts. The County will also consider regulation of
enclosures in this study.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The existing County Code would not be amended to allow the proposed raising of small farm animals on smaller
residential properties.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact.