§ 4-30. Animal ownership limitations.
The number and type of animals which may be owned and/or possessed in unincorporated Osceola County is limited as follows:
(a)
In all non-agriculturally zoned districts inside the urban growth boundary, domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets, potbellied pigs (Vietnamese or Asian), rabbits, pigeons, goats, horses and chickens are permitted, but the following animals are specifically prohibited: roosters, quacking ducks, geese, pea fowl, game birds, cattle, sheep, swine other than the pot-bellied pigs provided herein, or the presence or use of animals for commercial purposes unless otherwise provided for in the Osceola County Land Development Code.
(1)
Domesticated animals are limited to not more than twelve (12) in total per residence. The number of dogs shall not exceed four (4). The number of cats shall not exceed eight (8). The number of potbellied pigs shall not exceed two (2).
a.
Pot-bellied pigs, if housed outside, shall be contained in a pen or opaque fenced enclosure that is a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the property boundary.
b.
Pens shall be accessory and incidental to the principal dwelling.
(2)
One (1) horse or other equine shall be permitted for every one (1) contiguous acre. The land must be suitable for the keeping of horses and wetlands cannot be counted toward the one (1) contiguous acre. Exceptions to the horse or other equine limitation requirements in this subsection may be made at the discretion of the animal services director if the director finds that there is written documentation from a licensed veterinarian sufficient to indicate that housing space and living conditions are acceptable to accommodate a greater number.
(3)
Pigeons and chickens shall be contained in coops or fenced enclosures designed to keep the pigeons and chickens from straying off the owner's property, but such coops or fencing must be accessory and incidental to the principal structure and must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations. The coop setback shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from rear and side property boundaries, and the height of the coop shall not exceed six (6) feet. A coop is not permitted within the front yard. A maximum of six (6) chickens are permitted except that duplexes, townhomes, multi-family and similar units are prohibited from keeping chickens. The number of chickens shall count toward the total number of animals permitted.
a.
The coop or fenced enclosure must be kept in a clean and sanitary manner, free of insects and rodents, offensive odors, excessive noise, or any other condition which could potentially cause a nuisance. Feed stored outside must be secured in a metal container to prevent mice and other pests.
b.
Pigeons and chickens shall not be overcrowded, and adequate space must be allowed so that each animal has space to lie down, stand up, and turn around without touching another animal.
(b)
In all agriculturally zoned properties inside the urban growth boundary used for legitimate agricultural practices such as, but not limited to, the raising, breeding, selling and transporting of cattle or poultry shall be subject to the following animal limitation requirements:
(1)
The number of dogs shall not exceed four (4). The number of cats shall not exceed eight (8). The number of potbellied pigs shall not exceed two (2).
a.
The potbellied pigs, if housed outside, shall be contained in a pen or opaque fenced enclosure that is a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the property boundary.
(2)
One (1) horse or other equine shall be permitted for every one (1) contiguous acre. The land must be suitable for the keeping of horses and wetlands cannot be counted toward the one (1) contiguous acre.
(3)
No more than two (2) swine are permitted per parcel, not including potbellied pigs as provided herein.
a.
The swine, other than potbellied pigs, shall be contained in a pen or opaque fenced enclosure that is a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the property boundary.
b.
Pens shall be accessory and incidental to the principal dwelling.
(c)
In all non-agriculturally zoned districts outside the urban growth boundary, dogs are limited to no more than four (4) per residence and cats shall be limited to no more than eight (8) per residence. The number of potbellied pigs shall not exceed two (2).
(1)
The keeping of swine is prohibited in non-agriculturally zoned districts outside the urban growth boundary, except that the keeping of potbellied pigs (Vietnamese or Asian) may be permitted.
a.
The potbellied pigs, if housed outside, shall be contained in a pen or opaque fenced enclosure that is a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the property boundary.
b.
Pens shall be accessory and incidental to the principal dwelling.
(d)
In agriculturally zoned districts outside the urban growth boundary, the following animal limitations apply:
(1)
No more than two (2) swine are permitted per parcel, not including potbellied pigs as provided herein.
(2)
The swine, other than pot-bellied pigs, shall be contained in a pen or opaque fenced enclosure that is a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the property boundary.
(3)
Pens shall be accessory and incidental to the principal dwelling.
(e)
References to domesticated animals shall mean domesticated animals that have been weaned. Domesticated animals are not counted toward the animal limitations until they are at least eight (8) weeks of age.
(f)
Service animals are exempt from these requirements and are not counted toward the total number of animals permitted.
(g)
The raising of otherwise prohibited animals by 4-H or Future Farmers of America members for exhibitions, fairs, or the like, is permitted and is not subject to the requirements or limitations herein, provided that proof of 4-H or Future Farmers of America registration for such animals can be provided upon request by the department.
(h)
Community cats are exempt from the requirements of this section and are not counted towards the total number of animals permitted.
(Ord. No. 2017-49, § 1, 8-7-17; Ord. No. 2018-25, § 1, 4-9-18)