Ordinance - 1959ORDINANCE N.O. 1959
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE WEST
COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE ALLOWABLE NUMBER
OF HORSES THAT CAN BE MAINTAINED ON RESIDENTIAL
AGRICULTURE (R-A) AND SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) ZONED
PROPERTIES AND HORSE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS (AMENDMENT
NO. 264).
WHEREAS, on May 23, 1995, the Planning Commission initiated the code
amendment as a result of five variance requests from Vanderhoof Drive homeowners
to maintain an additional number of horses on their properties; and
WHEREAS, the current horse regulations have not been amended. since 1976
and need to be updated to be more consistent with surrounding cities; and
WHEREAS, the code amendment also includes allowing an increased number
of horses for Vanderhoof Drive lots to reflect the area's topography and proximity to' a
Special Facilities Park (Ridgerider's Equestrian Center); and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes it is within the best interest of its residents
to allow more horses to be maintained on R-A and R-1 residential properties while. also
expanding the horse maintenance standards to minimize adverse impacts to
surrounding property owners; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, upon giving the required notice, did. on
the 25th day of July, 1995, conduct a duly advertised public hearing as prescribed by
law, .and approved Planning Commission Resolution No. 7-95-4318, recommending
that the City Council adopt Amendment No. 264; and
WHEREAS, the .City Council considered evidence presented by the Planning
Commission, Planning Department, and other interested parties at a duly advertised
public hearing on the 15th day of August, 1995; and .
WHEREAS, studies and investigations made by this Commission and in its
behalf reveal the following facts:
1. The General Plan of the ,City of West Covina maintains as one of its goals the
preservation of the essential residential character of West Covina - a City of
beautiful homes; the maintenance of existing residential development; and
providing an aesthetically pleasant environment for those who live, work, play,
and visit in West Covina; and
2. The keeping of selected farm animals such as horses, cows, and goats on large
single-family residential lots is. a common practice and has been permitted
within the West Covina Zoning Code since the 1960's.
3. Expanding the minimum development standards for keeping horses and other
farm animals on residential property will protect surrounding homeowners from
the adverse impacts of maintaining these animals.
4. Allowing an additional number of horses to be maintained on those lots which
abut the Ridgerider's Equestrian Center will reflect the neighborhood's unique
setting and its ability to support an additional number of horses.
5. Allowing an additional number of horses to be maintained on those lots which
abut the Ridgerider's Equestrian Center will enhance the usefulness of a facility
which is designated a Special Facilities Park within the Environmental Quality
Element of the City's General -Plan.
CA2640RD.DOMCAKMHORSES
Ordinance No. 1959
Code Amendment No. 264 (Horse Regulations)
September 5. 1995 - Page 2
6. The project is Categorically Exempt as a Minor Alterations in Land Use
Limitations (Class 5) per Section 15305 of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended.
NOW,. THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of West Covina hereby ordains
as follows:
SECTION NO. 1: Based on the evidence presented and the findings set forth,
Amendment No. 264 is hereby found to be consistent with the West Covina General
Plan and the implementation thereof.
SECTION NO. 2: Based on the evidence presented and the findings set forth,
the City Council of the City of West Covina hereby amends Chapter 26 (Zoning) of the
West Covina Municipal Code to read as follows:
CHAPTER 26. ZONING
ARTICLE VI11. RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL/ONE-FAMILY ZONES
Sec. 26-391. Permitted uses.
(a) through (d) [no change]
(e) The following poultry and animals of such type, size and number so as
not to be capable of inflicting harm or discomfort or endangering the
peace, health or safety of any person or property.
(1) Household pets, Provided that not more than three (3) adult dogs
or four (4) adult cats or one (1) miniature pot-bellied pig (subject to
the approval of a miniature pot-bellied pig permit) or a combination
of three (3) such animals may be kept on any lot unless a
conditional use permit has been granted authorizing the
development, maintenance and operation of a hobby kennel on the
lot, or as otherwise permitted pursuant to an approved miniature
pot-bellied pig permit.
(2) Poultry (hens only in R-1 zone) and pigeons, provided not more
than twenty-four (24) birds are maintained on any lot or parcel,
except that a maximum of sixty (60) domestic homing pigeons as
defined by the American Pigeon Racing Union may be kept on any
lot or parcel.
(3) Rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters and other small animals raised for:
a. Food or scientific fur bearing purposes, in the R-A zone
only.
b. Domestic noncommercial use in the R-A and R-1 zones.
provided not more than a total of twenty-four (24) of such animals
and birds described in paragraphs (2) and (3) may be maintained
on a site (in both R-A and R-1 zones).
(4) In Area Districts III, IV and V, bovine animals, sheep and goats or
any combination thereof in the R-A zone, may be maintained on
sites having at least 20,000 square feet, provided that the following
ratio of animals to
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Ordinance No. 1959
Code Amendment No.. 264 (Horse Regulations)
September 5. 1995 - Page 3
lot area is maintained and that they are owned only by persons
residing on the parcel:
No. of Animals Lot Area
1 20,000 sq. ft.
2 35,000 sq. ft.
3 43,560 sq. ft. (one acre)
(5) In Area Districts III, IV and V, horses may be maintained on lots of
20,000 square feet or greater.
(a) The number of horses over nine months of age
permitted to be maintained shall be as follows:
No. of Horses
2
3
4
5
Minimum Lot Area
20,000 sq. ft.
27,500 sq. ft.
35,000 sq. ft.
42, 500+ sq. ft.
(b) For lots that abut a "Special Facilities Park," the
number of horses permitted to be maintained shall be
increased as follows:
No. of Horses
2
3
4
5
Minimum Lot Area
20,000 sq. ft.
25,000 sq. ft.
30,000 sq. ft.
35,000+ sq. ft.
(c) The keeping of horses under ten (10) months of age are not
subject to the limitations stated above.
(6) An additional number of horses, bovine animals, sheep or goats in
excess of those permitted under subparagraphs (4) and (5) may be
maintained up to a maximum of ten (10), subject to the granting of
a conditional use permit pursuant to Section 26-246.
(7) Commercial boarding or breeding of horses may be permitted
subject to the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to
Section 26-246.
(8) Animals listed in subparagraphs (4) and (5) must be kept within a
corral, pen, or other suitable enclosure maintained so as to confine
such animals. In addition, horses must be provided with a corral or
stable area of the following minimum sizes:
1) Corral - 240 square feet per horse; minimum
dimensions of 12 feet by 20 feet
2) Stable -12 feet by 12 feet per horse
Corrals shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in height and shall be
constructed of material to adequately confine the horses.
CA264.ORD. DOC\C:\KA\HORSES
0
Ordinance No. 1959
Code Amendment No. 264 (Horse Regulations)
September 5. 1995 - Page 4
(9) Barns, corrals, or stables constructed to maintain a horse or any
animal mentioned in subparagraphs (4) and (5) shall be located not
less than 35 feet from any residence or other structure used for
habitable purposes on the same lot, and not less than 50 feet from
any residence or other structure used for habitable purposes on
adjacent lots.
(10) The location of barns, corrals, or stables shall comply with Section
26-391. A barn, corral, or stable may be located within 50 feet of a
front property line at the discretion of the Planning Director or his
designee where the design and appearance of such structures is
determined to be harmonious with and complementary to that of
surrounding properties.
(11) Refuse from animals mentioned in subparagraphs (4), (5), and (6)
shall be stored in water -tight receptacles with close fitting lids or
stockpiled for composting. The outer layer of manure shall be
covered with polyethylene tarp and sealed by covering the edges
with soil for animal composting. Stored animal refuse shall be
disposed of not less than once per week.
(12) Barns, corrals, or stables shall be cleaned and maintained on a
weekly basis such that dust, flies, and odors shall not be
detectable from adjacent properties.
ARTICLE XII. SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR UNIQUE USES
DIVISION 5. HOME OCCUPATIONS
Sec. 26-671. through Sec. 26-672.
Sec. 26-673. Permitted uses.
(a). through (c) [no change]
(d) Services and uses allowed with a conditional use permit as set forth in
section 26-246:
(1) Foster home (more than six (6) children).
(2) Hobby kennel.
(3) Second -family units on single-family lots, as provided in division 11 of this
article.
(4) Horse boarding or breeding.
CA264.ORD. DOC\C:\KA\HORSES
I
0
Ordinance No. 1959
Code Amendment No. 264 (Horse Regulations)
September 5. 1995 - Page 5
Sec. 26-674. through Sec. 678
[no change]
SECTION NO. 3: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and
shall cause the same to be published as required by law.
PASSED AND'APPROVED this 5th day of September, 1995.
1yor
ATTEST:
L�2 "- J6
City Clerk
STATE OF 'CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) SS
CITY OF WEST COVINA )
I, JANET BERRY, City Clerk of the City of West Covina, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance No. I q 59 was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a
regular meeting of the City Council on the 15th day of August 1995. That, thereafter, said
Ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 5th
day of September, 1995.
AYES: Manners, McFadden, Touhey, Wong, Herfert
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
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