Every owner or keeper of an animal kept in the city shall see
that such animal:
A. Is kept
in a clean, sanitary and healthy manner and is not confined so as
to be forced to stand, sit or lie in its own excrement; the person(s)
responsible for animal(s) shall regularly and as often as necessary
to prevent odor or health and sanitation problems, maintain all animal
areas or areas of animal contact;
B. Has
food that is appropriate for the species in adequate amounts to maintain
good health, fresh potable drinking water where appropriate, shelter
and ventilation, including quarters that are protected from excessive
heat and cold and are of sufficient size to permit the animal to exercise
and move about freely;
C. Shall
not be tethered by use of a choke collar, or on any collar too small
for the size and age of the animal, nor by any rope, chain or cord
directly attached to the animal’s neck, nor by a leash less
than twelve feet in length, or of such unreasonable weight as to prevent
the animal from moving about freely;
D. Is protected
against abuse, cruelty, neglect, torment, overload, overwork, or any
other mistreatment;
E. Shall
provide the reasonably necessary medical care, in addition to the
required rabies vaccination which shall include recommended vaccinations
as required by accepted veterinary standards, and if diseased or injured,
or exhibiting symptoms of disease, receives proper care and is segregated
from other animals so as to prevent transmittal of the disease; and
F. Is maintained
in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and
all regulations respecting animal care and control as are adopted
by the city and in effect from time to time.
(Ord. 1052 § 2, 2013)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain or cause to be kept or maintained any animal, unless the keeping of such is permitted in the particular district as provided in Title
17 of this code. This provision shall not apply to service animals.
(Ord. 1052 § 2, 2013)
A. Purpose
and Intent.
1. The
purpose and intent of beekeeping is to provide for the safe and orderly
keeping of bees in the city of Rancho Mirage to promote urban beekeeping
that is supported by the Pollinator Health Task Force that was created
by 2014 Presidential Order to address the decline of honey bees and
other pollinators.
2. The
purpose and intent of these regulations create certain minimum standards
that allow beekeeping in residential zones in an attempt to mitigate
the decline of honey bees in a manner that will protect the public
health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the city of Rancho
Mirage.
B. Applicability.
Beekeeping is allowed in all residential zoning districts, subject
to compliance with the standards of this section and other relevant
requirements of this title.
C. General
Requirements.
1. Beekeeping
shall be limited to the Apis mellifera (European/Western common honeybees)
variety and must be an ancillary use to a single-family dwelling.
2. Every
person that is the owner or is in possession of an apiary shall comply
with the California State requirements for registration of each apiary
owned or operated in the city of Rancho Mirage.
3. Every
person who registers an apiary with the state of California shall
send notices to all neighboring parcel owners within a five hundred-foot
radius of the property where the apiary is to be housed, notifying
them of his or her intention to keep bees. Said notices shall be sent
within two weeks of the apiary being registered with the state.
4. Beekeeping
shall be operated and maintained in accordance with recognized best
management practices that provide safe and healthy living conditions
for the bees during active operation of the colonies in a manner that
avoids nuisance impacts on surrounding properties and persons (i.e.
managing and controlling colonies to reduce occurrence of swarms,
which means the formation, or the beginnings of the formation of a
new hive outside the apiary) and protects the public health, safety
and welfare. Beekeeping training and membership is encouraged to promote
recognized best management practices.
5. A
beekeeper shall maintain adequate records and best management practices
and proof of re-queening every two years. These records may be required
by the Community Developer Director in response to a nuisance complaint
as defined by this section.
6. The
maximum number of permanent beehive colonies that may be kept per
single-family dwelling unit shall be limited to two colonies on lots
that are one acre and less in area, and four colonies on lots greater
than one acre. Additional bee hive colonies are allowed on a temporary
basis to address swarming or any other issues related to proper beekeeping
management.
7. All
bee hive colonies shall be kept in inspectable hives consisting of
moveable frames and combs.
8. Beehive
colonies must be kept in good and usable condition at all times.
9. Beehive
colonies shall be promptly and properly removed if the beekeeper discontinues
the beekeeping use on the property.
D. Hive
Placement Requirements.
1. Beehive
colonies shall be located within the rear yard of a private single-family
dwelling.
2. A barrier of at least six feet in height consisting of a solid fence, wall or dense vegetation shall be installed and maintained between the beehive colonies and all abutting properties. Barriers shall comply with the fences, hedges and walls regulations set forth in Section
17.20.070.
3. Beehive
colonies shall be located at least ten feet from all property lines.
4. In
order to ensure the appropriate height of the honey bee flight path,
beehive colony entrances shall face away from the nearest property
line(s).
E. Hive
Management Requirements.
1. Beehive
colonies shall be continually managed to provide adequate living space
for their resident bees to prevent swarming.
2. Beehive
colonies shall be re-queened at least once every two years to prevent
swarming.
3. A
water source for bees shall be provided at all times on the property
where the bees are kept to discourage bee visitation at swimming pools,
hose bibs and other water sources on adjacent public or private property.
4. Beehive
colonies maintenance materials or equipment must be stored in a sealed
container or placed within a building or other bee-proof enclosure.
F. Nuisance.
Bees or hives shall be considered a public nuisance when any of the
following occurs:
1. Colonies
of bees exhibit defensive behavior, commonly associated with guarding,
pursuing, and stinging; or, interfere with the normal use of neighboring
properties.
G. Penalties
for Violations.
1. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable pursuant to Section
14.100.090 (Infraction penalties) of this code.
2. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to administrative fines and administrative penalties pursuant to Section
6.100.050 (Administrative fine) of this code.
(Ord. 1052 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1145 § 2, 2019)
The code compliance manager may prohibit any animal if findings
are made that the keeping of such animals create an unsanitary condition
or other public nuisance.
(Ord. 1052 § 2, 2013)
No person under the age of eighteen shall place any dog, cat,
puppy or kitten on public display for the purpose of sale, offer for
sale, barter or give-away upon any street, sidewalk, parking lot,
shopping center walkway or other public place, and no transfer of
any such animal shall be made in any such place to any person under
the age of eighteen.
(Ord. 1052 § 2, 2013)