Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/02/1999

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CASE RESEARCH ITEM: NUMBER OF DOGS ALLOWED ON A PARCEL OF LAND By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik Background: Ramsey City Code currently restricts the number of dogs allowed on a single parcel of' land to 2. To have more than 2 adult (more than 6 months of age) dogs on a parcel requires a conditional use pernfit. Observations: In 1998, the City processed 3 applications for conditional use permits to have more than 2 dogs on a parcel. As a result, City Council suggested that Staff review the issue for any changes that may be due. Below are the results of a survey of surrounding conununities as to how many dogs are allowed on a parcel without a special permit: .: Andover 3 Bethel 2 East Bethel 2 Fridley 3 Otsego 2 St. Francis 2 Blaine 3 Anoka 2 Dayton 2 Champlin 2 Elk River 3 (2.5 acres required for permits for more than 3 dogs) (total for dogs and cats) (5 acres requires for permits for more than 2 dogs) Since 1976, the City has processed 17 conditional use permits for non-commercial dog kennels. Only 4 of those permits were for 3 dogs; the remainder were some number more than 3. However, it is believed that there are many properties that may be in violation of the regulation. If owners are not aware of the ordinance and if neighbors don't complain, Staff has no way of locating violations and requiting animal owners to apply for the proper permits. Recommendation: Over the past 22 years, Ramsey averaged less than one application for a pri,v_ate kennel a year. Even with the proactive approach to code enforcement in 1998, we only had~3 apphcatmns and all of them were for more than 3 dogs. The survey also reflects that Ramse~,'s regulations are not out of line with those of surrounding communities. If there are any changes to the current regulations, Staff would recommend only increasing the number of permitted dogs per parcel to 3 and any more than that require a conditional use permit.