Table of Contents

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

The city’s code of ordinances encourages the use of low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure tactics for stormwater management. It establishes regulations to control stormwater runoff and pollution with LID and green infrastructure tactics (§4-11002). It allows inspections of these features by city staff during construction (§4-11032) and maintenance (§4-11035) and requires final inspection for certification (§4-11033). The code of ordinances references the city’s Stormwater Management Local Design Manual and promotes the use of green infrastructure in creating site-level stormwater management concept plans (§4-11022.b).

Historic Preservation

The city’s zoning code establishes a historic district (§8-3030). The district is overseen by a board of review that requires a certificate of appropriateness before a construction permit is issued for structures in the district, in order to preserve its historic character. The regulation includes design standards for a variety of building features as well as appeal and variance processes.

Food Systems | Urban Livestock

The city's animal code was amended in 2015 to address the keeping of bees, chickens, and other farm animals within the city.

Beekeeping is permitted within the city with annual registration of apiaries with the department of building safety; beekeepers selling bees must be licensed with the state. Standards address fencing of flyways, water supply, general maintenance, queens, and colony density (§9-5061).

Chickens may be kept for personal, noncommercial purposes; 1 chicken per 1,000 SF of high ground is permitted, with a maximum number of 30; standards address building permit requirements for larger coops and minimum setback requirements (§9-5062). Roosters and other larger, noisier species of poultry are restricted to parcels of at least 2 acres in size (§9-5063).

For small mammals such as rabbits and guinea pigs, 1 animal per 1,000 SF is permitted, to a maximum of 30, but the number of chickens plus small mammals may not exceed 1 per 1,000 SF (§9-5065).

For pigs, 1 animal per 1,000 SF is permitted, up to a maximum of 10 pigs, on a minimum parcel size of 2 acres, except up to 3 miniature pot-bellied pigs may be kept on any parcel. Minimum parcel size may be waived if animals have appropriate facilities and care. Standards address setbacks (§9-5067).

For other livestock (cows, sheep, goats, etc.), 1 animal per 1,000 SF of high ground is permitted, up to a maximum of 5 animals, on a minimum parcel size of 2 acres. Minimum parcel size may be waived if animals have appropriate facilities and care. Standards address setbacks (§9-5068).

Animal slaughter must be humanely done and out of sight of neighbors or the general public (§9-5069).