CAMARILLO : City Amends Law on Keeping Animals

Keeping goats, sheep and wild birds is now legal in two residential zones in Camarillo if residents have a special permit.

The Camarillo City Council voted 4 to 0 on Wednesday to amend the zoning ordinance to include goats, sheep, falcons, hawks and up to two parrots per household in these zones as long as neighbors agree. Councilman David M. Smith was absent.

The pets will be allowed in single-family homes on lots of at least 7,000 square feet, or in planned developments of detached single-family homes, Planning Director Matthew A. Boden said.

Only one resident spoke during the public hearing Wednesday. He objected to the requirement that neighbors must support the idea.

“What if one has a neighbor who won’t agree with anything?� asked resident Richard Brinser.

Brinser said he would prefer that a hearing be held on each request so that opponents could voice their feelings in a public forum.

Youths involved in 4-H or Future Farmers of America programs formerly have had to keep these goats and sheep at private farms, Senior Planner Bob Burrow said.

But with short-term special-event permits, these youths can keep the animals at home for up to six months, he said.

Despite some requests to allow pot-bellied pigs, the ordinance change does not include pigs, calves or ponies in either residential zone. Those animals may be kept only in residential areas zoned rural exclusive, where lots are larger.