[Adopted 11-28-2007]
The purpose of this article is to:
A.
Regulate the keeping of livestock on small lots in
high-density residential areas, defined as the R7.5, R10, R20, and
SD R20 Zones, shown on the Town's Official Zoning Map.
B.
Regulate the management of livestock and livestock
waste on small lots in high-density residential areas.
C.
Protect, preserve and promote the health, safety,
welfare and quality of life of its residents.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any hooved animal such as cattle, bison, swine, goats, sheep,
llamas, camels, horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and other hooved animals.
When used in the singular, the term in this article shall be referred
to as "livestock."
[Amended 12-13-2017]
For the purpose of this article, "residential property" and
"residential lot" shall be any property lot situated in the R7.5,
R10, R20, and SD R20 Zones, as shown on the Town's Official Zoning
Map.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep livestock
on a residential lot which is less than 1/2 of an acre in size.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any additional
hooved animal on a residential lot unless the lot consists of an additional
1/2 acre in size over the first 1/2 acre, for each additional hooved
animal
[Amended 12-13-2017]
C.
Manure storage or structures for manure storage (permanent
or temporary) for any livestock subject to this article shall not
be located any closer than 25 feet to any property line on the residential
lot.
All stables, pens and yards, or other buildings or enclosures, either permanent or temporary, used for the keeping or use of livestock shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and subject to inspection by the Director of Health, who may order the same closed or removed if not maintained in a sanitary condition, after notice to abate the unsanitary condition within a reasonable time as stated in § 120-10.
A.
The Director of Health shall enforce the provisions
of this article pursuant to the Public Health Code. The Director of
Health shall, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-229
and § 19a-9-14 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies,
include in any order issued pursuant to this section a notice of an
individual's right to appeal any such order to the Commissioner of
Public Health.
B.
The Director of Health shall first issue a warning
to a landowner if such landowner's property is in violation of this
article. Thereafter, if the landowner does not comply (within 30 days),
the Director of Health shall issue an order, in writing, to the landowner
via certified mail, return receipt requested, to comply with this
article by a specified date, not to be more than 30 days after issuance
of such order. If the landowner does not comply with the order by
the specified date, the landowner shall be subject to a civil penalty
of not less than $100 nor more than $250 per day for each day the
violation persists after the date specified by the Director of Health.
C.
Penalties shall be made payable to the Town of Ridgefield
and shall be deposited with the Town's Tax Collector.
D.
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-206,
the Director of Health, or any official authorized to institute civil
proceedings on behalf of the Town, in order to enforce an order of
the Director of Health, may seek an injunction in the Superior Court,
a court order for collection of the civil penalty addressed herein,
and other remedies pursuant to statute.
Any landowner aggrieved by an order of the Director
of Health may appeal that order to the Commissioner of Public Health
not later than three business days after the date of such person's
receipt of such order pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-229.
