Department of Community Development
Reference: Miniature Goat Keeping Program Permanency
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of the City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Shannon McDowell, Senior Long Range Planner
Date Prepared: February 23, 2023
PURPOSE
To make the goat keeping pilot program permanent.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS
In 2021, the City Council approved a pilot program for miniature goat keeping on residential properties. The pilot program was intended to allow a maximum of 10 goat keeping permits for a two-year period, allowing for an opportunity to see how such a practice could work in Brighton. Throughout the two-year period, it was intended for those keeping miniature goats to be monitored for impacts to adjacent properties. At the end of the two-year period, the City Council is required to take action to continue the program in any form. March 2023 marks the end of the two-year period.
The pilot program generated many inquiries, but only one goat keeping permit was issued. Through the two-year program period, Community Services Officers made several visits to the permitted property, finding no impacts to adjacent properties.
Staff is bringing forward an ordinance that would make the goat keeping program permanent. The ordinance maintains the provisions relating to number, sex, shelter, and care that were originally adopted for the pilot program. Along with permanence, the only other major change proposed is to no longer limit the number of permits to ten (10). With no impacts found to adjacent properties during inspections of the one permitted property, staff is confident that the provisions regarding separation from adjacent properties, cleanliness, and enclosures/shelters are sufficient to protect adjacent landowners even with more widespread use of the program. Any additional residents wishing to keep miniature goats on their property would still be required to obtain a permit so staff can ensure the provisions in the Municipal Code are being followed.
Please refer to the information packets associated with the study session on October 27, 2020 and the public hearings on January 19, 2021 and February 2, 2021 for more information on the full breadth of the miniature goat keeping program.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the miniature goat keeping program be adopted permanently. It provides an opportunity for residents to keep miniature goats as pets or for their milk and encourages urban agricultural practices.
OPTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The City Council has four options when reviewing the Code Amendment. The City Council may:
1. Approve the ordinance as drafted;
2. Deny the ordinance;
3. Approve the ordinance with changes, or;
4. Continue the item to be heard at a later, specified date if the Council feels it needs additional information to make a decision.
Note: A second reading of the ordinance, if approved at first reading, will be required at a future meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
● Draft City Council Ordinance
● City Staff’s Draft Presentation