§ 6.11.13. Animals

A.

In Agricultural Districts

1.

Animal sales in the Agricultural zoning districts shall be limited to the sale of the animals themselves and a container to hold them.

2.

No sales of cages, feed in bags or animal accessories shall be transacted in any Agricultural zoning district except as provided elsewhere in this Code.

3.

Farm animals shall be limited to a maximum of three Animal Units, as defined in this Code, per acre of land to which they are confined, except that grazing in environmentally sensitive areas shall be limited to a maximum of one Animal Unit per 10 acres of land to which they are confined. For purposes of this regulation, confined shall mean any limitation on the movements of the animals to a specific area of land. Except for pigs, offspring borne by animals on the farm shall be excluded from Animal Unit calculations until they reach six months of age. On farms with more than one animal species, the number of animals that are permitted shall be calculated in aggregate Animal Units. For example, seven lambs and two calves equal one Animal Unit. The keeping of Farm Animals in greater numbers than permitted above, or as further limited below, shall constitute an Animal Production Unit as regulated by this Code.

a.

Domestic Fowl: In addition to the requirements above, domestic fowl shall be further limited as follows:

(1)

Not more than 50 adult birds per acre if uncaged, up to a maximum total of 200 adult birds; or

(2)

Not more than 100 adult birds per acre if confined at all times in a coop, pen or cage, up to a maximum total of 200 adult birds.

(3)

The keeping of domestic adult fowl in numbers greater than the limits above shall be considered an Animal Production Unit.

b.

Pigs: In addition to the requirements above, pigs shall be further limited as follows:

(1)

Pigs shall be limited to a maximum of four animals regardless of whether the size of the confined area is sufficient, per Animal Unit calculations, to hold additional pigs. A single litter produced by these animals may also be kept until reaching ten weeks of age.

(2)

The keeping of more than four pigs shall be considered an Animal Production Unit.

c.

Rabbits: In addition to the requirements above, rabbits shall be further limited as follows:

(1)

A maximum of 80 adult female rabbits shall be allowed per acre, if caged, up to a maximum of 160 rabbits on two acres or more.

(2)

A maximum of 20 adult male rabbits shall be allowed per acre, if caged, up to a maximum of 40 on two acres or more.

(3)

For purposes of this regulation, an adult rabbit is one that has attained eight months of age.

(4)

Uncaged rabbits shall not be permitted.

(5)

The keeping of rabbits in numbers greater than the limits above shall be considered an Animal Production Unit.

d.

Aquaculture:

(1)

Notwithstanding these regulations, the number of fish and other aquatic animals permitted in aquaculture farms shall be regulated in accordance with the rules of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture, and shall not be subject to Animal Unit calculations as defined by this Code.

e.

Beekeeping:

(1)

Apiaries are governed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection and shall not be subject to these regulations.

4.

Waste disposal methods and permitting shall comply with the requirements of the Hillsborough County Health Department.

5.

The operator shall be responsible for utilizing generally accepted agricultural practices or, when applicable, rules of the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, to discourage undesirable odors, insects and excessive noise.

B.

In Residential Districts

1.

No animal, other than household animals as defined in this Code, shall be kept in any residential zoning district, except that:

a.

Honey bees may be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection. Unless otherwise regulated by FDACS, hive structures shall comply with the setback requirements of this Code for principal or accessory structures, as applicable.

b.

Exotic animals may be kept for personal enjoyment with appropriate license/permit from the State of Florida.

2.

No animals shall be raised or kept in any residential zoning district for the purpose of sale to another party.

3.

No sales of cages, feed in bags, or animal accessories shall be transacted in any residential zoning.

(Ord. No. 02-13, § 2, 8-1-02; Ord. No. 07-18, § 2, 7-19-07, eff. 10-1-07; Ord. No. 08-15, § 2, 6-12-08, eff. 10-1-08; Ord. No. 10-26, § 2, Exh. A(10-0757), eff. 2-11-11; Ord. No. 11-19, § 2(Item V-B)(11-0236), 11-3-11, eff. 2-1-12; Ord. No. 12-25, § 2(Exh. A)(Item IV.D)(12-0682), 10-25-12, eff. 2-1-13)