EVERETT — The city seeks to clamp down on four-legged livestock in changes to its animal code.
Roosters will continue to be allowed if the owner pays for a facility license. Last year, council spared roosters from being banned entirely by creating the licensing condition.
The latest proposed animal code changes broadly prohibit general livestock in the city. Swine, horses, goats, cows, llamas, sheep, plus emus and ostriches, would only be allowed in the city’s few areas zoned for agriculture.
Miniature pot-bellied pigs and miniature goats are the exceptions. A license will be required to keep a miniature pot-bellied pig.
There is a grandparent clause where anyone with a facility license can keep their animals until the license expiration date.
City staff will present more details at this week’s City Council meeting. A final public hearing and vote will be at the Dec. 6 council meeting.
The council meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at 3002 Wetmore Ave. in the north Everett police station. People can also participate over Zoom.
South Everett residents praised banning livestock to council. A property in their area has goats and more that cause smells, one explained.
The rules as proposed continue allowing turkeys, ducks, geese and rabbits citywide. Up to six chickens and rabbits can be kept in yards of 1/5 of an acre of smaller; a few more chickens and rabbits would be allowed in bigger yards. Similar yard-size limits apply to turkeys, ducks and geese.
Keeping peacocks and peahens is set to continue being banned.
