Ordinance 15-010 Beekeeping CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 15-010
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON AMENDING SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE 19.40.150, ANIMAL
RAISING AND KEEPING BY ADDING BEEKEEPING REQUIREMENTS, CLARIFYING
VARIOUS TERMINOLOGY, AND PROHIBITING THE KEEPING OF NUTRIA; AND OTHER
MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2007, the City of Spokane Valley (City) adopted Spokane Valley
Municipal Code(SVMC)Title 19, pursuant to Ordinance 07-015; and
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2007, SVMC Title 19 became effective; and
WHEREAS, such regulations are authorized by RCW 36.70A; and
WHEREAS, on January 30 and February 6, 2015, notice of the Planning Commission public
hearing was published in the Valley News Herald; and
WHEREAS, on February 5, 2015, the Washington State Department of Commerce was notified
pursuant to RCW 36.70A.106, providing a 60-day notice of intent to adopt amendments to Spokane
Valley development regulations; and
WHEREAS, on February 12,2015,the Planning Commission held a study session; and
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2015, the Planning Commission held a public hearing, received
evidence, information, public testimony, and a staff report with a recommendation followed by
deliberations and provided a recommendation; and
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2015, the Planning Commission approved the findings and
recommendations; and
WHEREAS, on March 17,2015, City Council reviewed the proposed amendment; and
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2015, City Council considered a first ordinance reading to adopt the
proposed amendment; and
WHEREAS, the amendments set forth below are consistent with the goals and policies of the
City's Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, SVMC 19.40.150, as amended, bears a substantial relation to the public health,
safety and welfare,and protection of the environment.
NOW,THEREFORE,the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley ordains as follows:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to amend SVMC 19.40.150 by adding
beekeeping requirements, clarifying various terminology and prohibiting the keeping of nutria.
Section 2. Findings and Conclusions. The City Council acknowledges that the Planning
Commission conducted appropriate investigation and study, held a public hearing on the amendments and
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recommends approval of the amendments. The City Council has read and considered the Planning
Commission's findings. The City Council hereby makes the following findings:
A. Growth Management Act Policies - Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA)
provides that each city shall adopt a comprehensive land use plan and development regulations that are
consistent with and implement the comprehensive plan.
B. City of Spokane Valley Goals and Policies - The City of Spokane Valley has adopted goals
and policies consistent with the GMA and adopted County-Wide Planning Policies, set forth below.
1. Land Use Policy LUP-1.1: Maintain and protect the character of existing and future
residential neighborhoods through the development and enforcement of the City's land use
regulations and joint planning.
2. Land Use Policy-13.1: Maximize efficiency of the development review process by
continuously evaluating the permitting process and modifying as appropriate.
3. Economic Goal EDG-7: Maintain a regulatory environment that offers flexibility,
consistency, predictability and clear direction.
4. Economic Policy EDP-7.1: Evaluate, monitor and improve development standards to
promote compatibility between adjacent land uses; and update permitting processes to ensure that
they are equitable, cost-effective, and expeditious.
5. Economic Policy EDP-7.2: Review development regulations periodically to ensure
clarity, consistency and predictability.
6. Neighborhood Goal NG-2: Preserve and protect the character and quality of life of
Spokane Valley's residential neighborhoods.
7. Neighborhood Policy-NP-2.1: Maintain and protect the character of existing and
future residential neighborhoods through the development and enforcement of the City's land use
regulations and joint planning.
8. Neighborhood Policy-NP-2.4: Encourage the dedication of open spaces for local food
production in and adjacent to residential areas.
9. Neighborhood Policy-NP-2.6: Encourage community gardens in residential areas.
C. Conclusions
1. The proposed amendment bears a substantial relation to public health, safety,
welfare, and protection of the environment.
2. The proposed City-initiated Code text amendment is consistent with the City's
adopted Comprehensive Plan and the approval criteria contained in SVMC 17.80.150(F).
3. The GMA requires that the City's Comprehensive Plan and development regulations
shall be subject to continuing review and evaluation by the City.
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Section 3. Amendment. Spokane Valley Municipal Code section I9.40.150 is hereby
amended as follows:
19.40.150 Animal raising and keeping.
Where permitted, the keeping of poultry and livestock (excluding swine and chickens) is subject
to the following conditions:
A. Minimum Lot Requirements.
1. In residential zones,the lot or tract shall exceed 40,000 square feet in area, except as
set forth in SVMC 19.40.150(G)and(I), below;
2. In mixed-use zones, on lots or tracts with legally established residential uses that
exceed 40,000 square feet.
B. The keeping of swine is not permitted;
C. Any building or structure housing poultry or livestock including, but not limited to, any
stable, paddock, yard, runway, pen, or enclosure, or any manure pile shall be located not less than 75 feet
from any dwelling;
D.No building or structure housing poultry or livestock including, but not limited to, any stable,
paddock, yard, runway, pen, or enclosure, or any manure pile shall be located within the front yard nor be
closer than 10 feet from any side property line;
E. The keeping of animals and livestock is limited as follows:
1. Not more than three horses, mules, donkeys, bovines, llamas or alpacas shall be
permitted per gross acre; or
2. Not more than six sheep or goats shall be permitted per gross acre; or
3. Any equivalent combination of SVMC 19.40.150(E)(1) and(E)(2),above;
F. Small Animals/Fowl. A maximum of one animal or fowl (excluding chickens), including
duck, turkey, goose or similar domesticated fowl, or rabbit, mink, , chinchilla or similar animal, may be
raised or kept per 3,000 square feet of gross lot area. In addition, a shed, coop, hutch or similar
containment structure shall be constructed prior to the acquisition of any small animal/fowl;
G. In residential areas,the keeping of chickens is subject to the following conditions:
1. A maximum of one chicken may be raised or kept per 2,000 gross square feet of lot
area,with a maximum of 25 birds allowed;
2. The keeping of roosters is prohibited;
3. Coops, hutches, or similar containment structures shall be kept a minimum of 20 feet
from the front property line, five feet from side and rear property lines, and 15 feet from flanking
streets;
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4. Coops, hutches, or similar containment structures shall be kept a minimum of 25 feet
from dwellings on neighboring properties; and
5. All chickens shall be contained within the subject property.
H. Structures, pens, yards, enclosures, pastures and grazing areas shall be kept in a clean and sanitary
condition.
I. In residential areas,beekeeping is subject to the following conditions:
1. The number of beehives shall be limited to one beehive per 4,356 gross square feet of
lot area.
2. Beehives shall be set back a minimum of five feet from a side or rear property line
and 20 feet from the front or flanking street property line.
3. A flyaway barrier shall be provided that shall be at least six feet high and consisting
of a solid wall, solid fencing material, dense vegetation or combination thereof, that is parallel to
the side or rear property line(s) and extends beyond the beehive(s) in each direction that bees are
forced to fly at an elevation of at least six feet above ground level over the property lines in the
vicinity of the beehives.
4. Beekeepers shall maintain an adequate supply of water for bees located close to the
hives.
5. The beekeeper shall be certified by the Washington State Beekeeper's Association.
Section 4. Other sections unchanged. All other provisions of Chapters 19.140 not
specifically referenced hereto shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance shall be
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause,
or phrase of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after
publication of this Ordinance or a summary thereof in the official newspaper of the City of Spokane
Valley as provided by law.
Passed by the City Council this 28th day of April, 2015.
Dean Grafos, Mayor
-"-
ATTEST.
111
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
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Approved As To Form:
Office oft dtity AttorMy
Date of Publication: S- l - 2-c t
Effective Date:
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