The provisions of this article are adopted to establish requirements for the keeping of horses and the maintenance thereof in order to protect the public health, safety, welfare, comfort, and convenience while permitting residents to keep horses under appropriate and suitable conditions; to establish conditions and requirements for the operation of commercial stables; and to provide rules for correcting unhealthy or unsafe conditions.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)
For the purposes of this article, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this article are defined as follows:
Agriculture
means and include animal husbandry, livestock farming, flower growing, crop and tree farming, and viticulture.
Boarding stable
means any stable where horses are lodged or fed primarily for remuneration.
Commercial stable
means any establishment regularly providing services for the keeping and/or use of horses, other than for private use as regulated by the provisions of Section 6-1.905 of this article, including, but not limited to, boarding stables, riding schools, stables, and corrals to accommodate horses belonging to clubs or organizations, or members thereof.
Corral
means a fenced area for the concentration of livestock. Any fenced area of less than one acre shall be deemed a corral.
Foal
means the young of a horse, donkey, or mule, up to the age 18 months.
Horse
means a large, solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped of the family Equidae and shall include donkeys, mules, ponies, and the like.
Horses—Maintenance for private use
means the keeping of horses for private use as an accessory use to a residence on the same parcel, or on a vacant parcel of land, but not primarily for remuneration or sale.
Horse stable
means a roofed structure, or portion thereof, designed or used for housing or feeding horses.
Pasture
means a plot of ground, other than a corral, with grass or other plants available for grazing livestock.
Riding school
means any establishment providing or offering for remuneration equestrian instructions through organized classes or similar group instructional activities or any establishment where horses are maintained or facilities are provided primarily for equestrian instructions for remuneration.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)
Horses shall at all times be maintained adequately and shall be fed, watered, handled, and ridden in a humane and protective manner without cruelty. Riders shall handle their horses in such a way as to not violate the rights and safety of the horse, other riders, or pedestrians. A veterinarian and two horsemen of good repute shall be appointed by the Council to review any reported infractions of the provisions of this section and shall report their findings to the Council.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)
The maintenance of horses for private use shall be subject to the following procedures, regulations, and requirements in addition to the general requirements of this article:
(a) 
The minimum lot area upon which a horse may be kept shall be one acre, and two horses may be kept on such parcel. One additional horse may be kept on each additional one-half acre. One foal may also be kept for every two horses. If 10 or more horses are kept on a single parcel or on contiguous parcels as to which there is substantial identity of ownership or control, a conditional use permit shall be obtained in accordance with the provisions of Section 6-1.906 of this article.
(b) 
Stables shall be considered to be structures and shall conform to the setback provisions of this Code.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)
(a) 
Required—Exception. All horses shall be kept in a corral or stable meeting the requirements of this article unless kept in a pasture under conditions satisfactory to the Health Officer.
(b) 
Construction. All corrals shall be constructed with a substantial fence sufficient for the intended use. Corrals for the enclosure of stallions shall conform to State laws governing safety fencing. All new stables shall be constructed in conformance with the provisions of the Building Code (see Chapter 1 of Title 8 of this Code). Where existing buildings and structures are in use and good repair, they need not be made to conform with the provisions of this subsection.
(c) 
Fire Protection. The keeping of horses, and any buildings and structures devoted to the keeping and maintenance of horses, shall conform to the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 4 of this Code, relating to hazardous fire areas, and the fire safety standards of the Los Altos County Fire Protection District.
(d) 
Drainage. Every parcel of land upon which horses are maintained shall be well drained. The surface of corrals or enclosures shall be graded to prevent the accumulation of storm or casual waters.
(e) 
Maintenance. It is unlawful to keep any horse, or any premises devoted to the keeping and maintenance of a horse, in an offensive, obnoxious, or unsanitary condition.
(f) 
Conformity Required. No horse shall be kept within the corporate limits of the Town for any periods of time totaling in excess of 12 hours in any one calendar month unless the requirements of this section are met.
(g) 
Licenses—Revocation or Suspension. See Section 6-1.906(h) of this article.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)
(a) 
Conditional Use Permits Required. Commercial stables shall be permitted only on a site where a conditional use permit has been granted by the Planning Commission pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure set forth in Article 9 of Chapter 5 of Title 9 of this Code. The duration of the conditional use permit shall be determined by the Council.
In acting on any conditional use permit for a commercial stable legally existing on February 16, 1971. the Planning Commission shall impose only such conditions as are necessary to secure the objectives of this article. Such conditions may include the alteration, demolition, or reconstruction of the existing structures within the time limits established by the Planning Commission, giving consideration to the purposes of this article.
(b) 
General Requirements. In addition to any conditions imposed in approving the conditional use permit, each commercial stable shall conform to the following conditions:
(1) 
Number of Horses. The number of horses to be kept or maintained at any establishment shall be fixed by the terms of the conditional use permit as approved by the Council.
(2) 
Location of Stables and Other Buildings. For any new establishment, the stable shall be located so as to conform with all existing laws and shall be in conformance with the site plan approved in conjunction with the granting of the conditional use permit.
Structures legally existing on December 4, 1961, shall be exempt from such distance requirements but shall conform to any distance requirements established by the Planning Commission as a condition for the issuance of any applicable conditional use permit.
(3) 
Supervision or Video Surveillance System. The premises shall be under the full time supervision of a competent attendant, and one such attendant shall be on duty on the premises at all times during the 24 hour day unless the premises consists wholly of pasture land, in which case the requirement of personal attendants may be waived, or conditionally waived, by the City Manager when he or she deems such waiver to be in the public interest, and provided, further, in every case where such premises are not attended on a 24 hour basis, there shall be posted at conspicuous locations about the premises notices giving the name, address, and telephone number of the superintendent responsible for the premises. Alternatively, the premises shall have a video surveillance system installed, maintained and shall be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Video surveillance system means a continuous digital surveillance system including cameras, cabling, monitors, and digital video recorders that records in color with cameras and lens of a type, minimum resolution, number and location approved by the City Manager or designee. This system must be capable of producing retrievable and identifiable images and video recordings on approved media that can be enlarged through projection or other means, and can be made a permanent record for use in a criminal investigation.
(4) 
Renting Horses Restricted. No horses shall be maintained which are available for rent or hire, and no horses shall be rented or let for hire, except for use on the premises when authorized by a conditional use permit.
(5) 
Equestrian Lessons. Any commercial establishment authorized to provide equestrian instructions shall give such instructions only on the premises unless special permission to do otherwise has been granted by a conditional use permit.
(6) 
Manure Disposal. The operator of a commercial establishment shall have facilities for and dispose of manure in a manner which will insure that no offensive, obnoxious, or unsanitary conditions will develop.
(7) 
Lighting. No external lighting, other than that needed for safe passage around buildings, shall be permitted unless specifically approved by the terms of the conditional use permit.
(c) 
Licenses—Applications. Each application for a license for a commercial stable shall be made to the Town on a form provided by the Town and shall be accompanied by the required fee and approved conditional use permit and the following:
(1) 
Description of Operations. A complete description of the manner of operation, number of horses, number of stalls, and/or other facilities to be utilized. The specific method of disposing of the manure and providing for fly control shall set forth in the application. All activities and services to be provided shall be listed and described in the application. A statement of experience and qualifications shall also be provided in the application; and
(2) 
Site Plans. All initial applications shall be accompanied by site plans showing all existing and proposed buildings and all other structures pertinent thereto, together with the location on neighboring properties of all buildings within 300 feet of the subject parcel.
(d) 
Licenses—Review of Applications—Inspections of Premises. Prior to the issuance of a license for a commercial stable the City Manager or his delegated representative shall make an inspection of the premises to verify that the proposed use will be in conformity with the conditions and requirements of this article and any conditions of the conditional use permit.
(e) 
Licenses—Approval—Issuance. If the City Manager finds that the proposed use will be in conformity with the requirements of this article and the terms of the conditional use permit, the license for a commercial stable shall be issued. There shall be an annual fee and inspection to ascertain conformance to all conditions.
(f) 
Licenses—Denial—Appeals. If the City Manager denies any license for a commercial stable, the applicant may appeal such decision to the Council within 30 days thereof. All pertinent information shaft be filed with the appeal.
(g) 
Licenses—Nontransferability. Licenses issued for commercial stables shall not be transferable or assignable.
(h) 
Licenses—Revocation or Suspension. Licenses issued for commercial stables may be subject to revocation or suspension by the Council for failure to comply with the provisions of this article.
In the event of a complaint received by the City Manager concerning either a private stable or a commercial stable, the City Manager may order an inspection to determine the validity of the complaint.
If a determination is made by the City Manager that the provisions of this article have been violated, a notice shall be sent to the person holding such license specifying where he or she is failing to comply with the provisions of this article or any terms or conditions of the conditional use permit and requesting an appearance before the Council to show cause at such time and place why such license should not be revoked or suspended. The licensee shall have the right to appear in person or with counsel and introduce such evidence as he or she may desire. After hearing the facts, the Council may, if in its opinion the provisions of this article or the conditional use permit have been violated, revoke or suspend such license.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994; § 1, Ord. 548, eff. April 20, 2014)
The Council shall have the right to modify the strict application of the provisions of this article where there are extraordinary conditions affecting the property of the applicant. In such cases the applicant may appear before the Council and if, after a public hearing and full consideration of the matter, the Council finds that by following the strict letter of the provisions of this article unreasonable restrictions or unnecessary or extraordinary hardships or damages will be imposed, the Council may grant to the applicant a variance from such provisions in harmony with the general purposes and objectives of the provisions of this article to the end that the public welfare may be secured.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)
The interpretation and application of the provisions of this article shall be held to be the minimum requirements except where it is expressly stated that the maximum requirements shall prevail. The provisions of this article are not intended to impair or interfere with any private restrictions placed on property by covenant or deed; provided, however, where the provisions of this article impose a greater restriction upon such property, such provisions shall control. Where the provisions of this article impose regulations or requirements that are different from, or in conflict with, those of any other law of the Town, the law imposing the more strict requirements shall prevail.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)
It is unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this article or any orders of the Health Officer made pursuant to the provisions of this article for the protection of the public safety, welfare, health, and comfort. Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as set forth in Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this Code.
Each violation of the provisions of this article shall constitute a public nuisance and shall be subject to abatement as such.
(§ 2, Ord. 367, eff. January 14, 1994)