The following words, term and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Cow
includes the male and the young of the species.
Fowl
includes, but is not limited to, chickens, turkeys, geese, guineas, ducks and pigeons.
Livestock
includes any horse, mule, cow, sheep, swine, goat, jack or other domestic animal kept or raised for food, work or pleasure.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.01; Ordinance 1995-22, adopted 8/8/95; 2010 Code, sec. 8-221)
(a) 
Livestock.
All barns, sheds and enclosures in which livestock is kept or has been kept shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary manner and no accumulations of animal excreta or filth shall be permissible.
(b) 
Poultry and rabbits.
All poultry and rabbit houses and yards within the city must be kept in a clean, sanitary manner.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.02; Ordinance adopted 6/10/57, art. VI, sec. 5; 2010 Code, sec. 8-222)
(a) 
Prohibited; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful to keep, raise, breed or otherwise maintain pigs or hogs within the city limits, except under the following conditions:
(1) 
Pigs or hogs may be kept or maintained within the city limits in slaughterhouses.
(2) 
Pigs may be kept, raised or maintained within the city limits for purposes of participating in:
(A) 
Future Farmers of America (FFA);
(B) 
A county youth fair, or other youth projects sanctioned by the county extension agent; or
(C) 
The agricultural department of the city independent school district; subject to the sanitary, construction and time limitation requirements set out in this article.
(b) 
List of participants in approved projects.
The organization sanctioning the project for which pigs are being raised, maintained or kept shall provide a list of participants doing so within the city limits.
(c) 
Sanitation and area requirements.
(1) 
Requirements.
The following area and maintenance requirements must be complied with in order to keep, maintain, breed or raise a pig under one of the exceptions listed in subsection (a) of this section:
(A) 
Covered area.
A covered area consisting of at least a minimum of 150 square feet must be maintained for up to three pigs. Such enclosure shall not be located less than 100 feet from any dwelling other than that of the participant.
(B) 
Open area.
An open area consisting of at least a minimum of 150 square feet may be maintained per pig or hog; however, an open area is not required in addition to the covered area.
(C) 
Ground level.
Both covered and open areas shall have the ground built up six inches higher than the nearest adjoining ground level.
(D) 
Treatment and disposal of feces.
Feces shall be removed daily and treated with lime or other approved sanitizer and then buried underground or removed from the premises to an area outside the city limits.
(2) 
Violations deemed nuisance.
Violation of these provisions or creation of any unsanitary condition by keeping or maintaining pigs or hogs will be classified as a nuisance and remedied under the provisions of article 6.04, pertaining to nuisances.
(d) 
Construction requirements.
The following construction requirements must be complied with in order to keep, maintain, breed or raise a pig under one of the exceptions listed in subsection (a)(2) of this section:
(1) 
Outer confining requirements must be constructed of an approved material that will allow air flow to keep the pens dry and keep the pigs cooler.
(2) 
The enclosure shall be capable of confining a 400-pound pig.
(3) 
The entire construction of the facility must be approved by the building official, subject to appeal to the city council.
(e) 
Duration of keeping swine.
No pigs may be brought into the city for the purposes of keeping, raising, breeding or otherwise maintaining under the exceptions of subsection (a)(2) of this section before January 1 of any calendar year, and all pigs must be removed no later than May 30 of the same calendar year.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 2.00; Ordinance 1995-01, adopted 1/10/95; Ordinance 2000-14, sec. A, adopted 10/24/00; 2010 Code, sec. 8-223; Ordinance adopting 2018 Code)
Stable manure must be removed from lots and stables as often as necessary to prevent the breeding of flies, maggots or other pests, and in any event not less than once each week, and placed in a covered, watertight, well-screened receptacle or scattered over the ground as fertilizer in such a manner as to prevent the breeding of flies, maggots or other pests and in such a manner as not to become offensive to inhabitants of adjoining property.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.03; Ordinance adopted 6/10/57, art. VI, sec. 4; 2010 Code, sec. 8-224)
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any livestock to permit the same to run at large anywhere within the limits of the city.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.04; Ordinance adopted 1/4/11, sec. 1; 2010 Code, sec. 8-225)
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any chicken, turkey or other domestic fowl to permit the same to run at large within the city.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.05; Ordinance adopted 9/2/35, sec. 1; 2010 Code, sec. 8-226)
No person shall maintain livestock or fowl within the city unless the following space and fence requirements are met:
(1) 
Horses.
There shall be a minimum space of 8,000 square feet for each horse kept within the city limits. Any building, barn or shed used for protection of the animal against the elements must be located on this plot. An additional space of 8,000 square feet must be provided for each additional horse kept on the premises. No part of the enclosure for such animal shall be within 100 feet of any residence, other than the owner’s residence.
(2) 
Cattle.
There shall be a minimum space of 8,000 square feet for each cow kept within the city limits. The building, barn or shed used for protection of the animal against the elements and/or that is used for milking purposes must be located on this lot. An additional space of 8,000 square feet must be provided for each additional cow kept on the premises. Any areas used to keep or maintain a cow or cattle lot must be enclosed with a wooden slat or fence. No part of the enclosure for such animals shall be located within 100 feet of any residence, other than the owner’s residence.
(3) 
Sheep and goats.
There shall be a minimum space of 8,000 square feet for each sheep or goat kept within the city limits. An additional space of 8,000 square feet must be provided for each additional sheep or goat kept on the premises. The building, barn, or shed used for protection against the elements must be located on this lot. No part of the enclosure for such animals shall be within 100 feet of any residence, other than the owner’s residence.
(4) 
Hogs and potbellied pigs.
No person shall be allowed to keep or maintain hogs, Vietnamese potbellied pigs or swine within the limits of the city, except for 4-H and FFA projects permitted under the exceptions provided for in section 2.04.003.
(5) 
Fowl.
No roosters or chickens, except laying hens and pullets, may be kept or maintained in the city. No person shall keep, harbor, possess or allow to remain on any premises under his control within the corporate limits of the city more than 25 grown fowl. Any property maintained in the city limits for keeping, maintaining or possessing fowl must be large enough to provide five square feet per fowl. A chicken house or house for other fowl must be located within this area. Chicken wire shall be used as the fence material for chickens and other fowl. Such enclosure shall be located not less than 100 feet from any residence, other than that of the owner.
(6) 
Rabbits.
No person shall keep, harbor, possess or allow to remain upon his premises or upon premises under his control in the corporate limits of the city more than six grown rabbits or more than 18 fryer rabbits. All rabbit hutches or enclosures must be kept in a clean and sanitary manner. There shall be a minimum space of five square feet per rabbit. No rabbit hutches shall be within 100 square feet from any residence, other than the owner’s residence.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.06; 2010 Code, sec. 8-227)
For the purpose of enforcing this article, the animal control supervisor or designated representative shall be permitted to enter and inspect any premises where livestock and/or fowl are kept during the daylight hours of any day. The refusal to permit such entry or inspection shall be a violation of this article.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.07; 2010 Code, sec. 8-228)
Nothing in this article shall prohibit or regulate the keeping of livestock for a period of not more than 72 hours in enclosures used by slaughterhouses or auction rings or veterinary hospitals.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.08; 2010 Code, sec. 8-229)
Any livestock, fowl, chickens, or rabbits or other animals kept or maintained within the city limits which by whinnying, crowing or any manner produce loud or offensive noises which disturb any person in this city are deemed a nuisance, and the person keeping or maintaining such animals, livestock, fowl, rabbits or chickens guilty of such nuisance shall immediately, when directed by the animal control officer, dispose of or remove such from within the city limits.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.09; 2010 Code, sec. 8-230)
It shall be unlawful for any person to tie, stake or fasten upon any public street, alley, drainage easement, square or sidewalk within the city limits any livestock for the purpose of permitting such animal to graze.
(1988 Code, ch. 2, sec. 3.10; Ordinance 1995-22, sec. 3, adopted 8/8/95; 2010 Code, sec. 8-231)
When kept by a participant in an agricultural program under the supervision of a vocational instructor or the county agricultural agent, for exhibition and sale at stock shows and fairs, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) 
Steers, horses and dairy heifers.
There shall be a minimum of one-half acre for each two head of livestock with a covered area consisting of 100 square feet per animal. No part of the enclosure for such animals shall be within 100 feet of any residence, other than that of the participant.
(2) 
Sheep and goats.
A maximum of two animals per participant. A covered area consisting of 30 square feet shall be maintained for each animal. In addition, an open area of 150 square feet may be maintained; however, an open area is not required. No part of the enclosure shall be within 25 feet, for up to two animals, and 50 feet, for more than two animals, from any residence, other than that of the participant.
(3) 
Roasters.
An enclosure consisting of two square feet per roaster shall be maintained. Such enclosure shall not be located less than 25 feet from any residence, other than that of the participant. No more than 25 adult birds may be raised in such enclosure.
(4) 
Broilers.
An enclosure consisting of one square foot per broiler shall be maintained. Such enclosure shall not be located less than 25 feet from any residence, other than that of the participant. No more than 30 adult birds may be raised in such enclosure.
(5) 
Turkeys.
An enclosure consisting of five square feet per turkey shall be maintained. Such enclosure shall not be located less than 25 feet from any residence, other than that of the participant. No more than 25 adult birds may be raised in such enclosure.
(6) 
Rabbits.
An enclosure consisting of four square feet per adult rabbit and her young shall be maintained. Such enclosure shall not be located less than 25 feet from any residence, other than that of the participant.
(7) 
Additional requirements.
In additional to the specific species requirements addressed in this article, the following conditions shall also be met:
(A) 
Number of projects.
Each participant may raise as many projects as space allows on the property. Each project’s spacing requirements and distance from neighboring residences is independent of other projects on the site and is not cumulative.
(B) 
Construction requirements.
The outer confining requirements must be constructed of an approved material that will allow airflow and be capable of restraining the livestock or fowl.
(C) 
Sanitation.
All barns, sheds and enclosures shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary manner and no accumulations of animal excreta or filth shall be permissible. All poultry and rabbit houses and yards shall be kept in a clean, sanitary manner.
(D) 
Notification.
The agricultural science supervisor of El Campo High School or any successor to that position and the county extension agent shall provide a list of participants within the city limits, their locations and the number of animals to the city. These individuals will encourage each participant to ask permission regarding projects of the adjacent neighbor.
(Ordinance 2000-14, sec. B(3.11), adopted 10/24/00; 2010 Code, sec. 8-232)