2.4.
| CC Work Session |
| Meeting Date: | 11/25/2025 |
| Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: | {ud_pd2} |
Information
Title:
Animal Code Update
Purpose/Background:
City Staff is working on an update to Chapter 10 of Ramsey City Code, also commonly known as the 'Animal Code'. As part of drafting a new animal code, members of the Community Development and Police Departments have been meeting regularly to discuss various items within Chapter 10 that require updates, revisions, or additional context. The following list of questions have been drafted as a result of these meetings and Staff is seeking feedback on these questions before bringing the full ordinance forward for a formal review.
- Staff gets many complaints about roosters (some justified, some legal). Should we continue to allow roosters with the 2.5-acre minimum and 2 rooster maximum per property? Should the decision on roosters also apply to crowing hens?
- The "round down to the nearest quarter-acre" is confusing and a straight proportionality to lot size would be easier to understand. Should this "round-down" remain?
- Should we reduce the 75-foot setback for stables to match that of other accessory structures?
- Do we want separate setbacks for different sizes of animals?
- Should there be a different setback for fenced roaming areas versus stables?
- The creation of four general categories instead of specific regulations for each allowable species (large, medium, small, dogs/cats) would be easier to administer. This would include a list of allowed or permitted animals, with the clause that any species not explicitly allowed is considered prohibited. This change would align the animal code more closely with how the zoning code is written, and it would prevent Staff from needing to list all prohibited species.
- Should the City keep a non-traditional animal license to allow for species that are not explicitly allowed, though we do not appear to have any currently active?
- Should we update our private kennel license regulations to address the following items?
- Should we keep the number of allowed dogs at 3 per property or increasing the number of dogs allowed?
- Should cats be added to the private kennel license requirements? They are currently unregulated from a number standpoint.
- If we add cats to the limit, do we want the limit to be a total of 4 animals or a hybrid increase?
- Does the Council still want to see private kennel licenses or just cases over some defined number of animals?
Notification:
No notification is required at this stage.
Funding Source:
The Animal Code Update is being handled through Staff's normal duties. All work has been done in-house without the use of consultants, aside from an anticipated review by the City Attorney.
Recommendation:
Staff is seeking feedback on the above items related to the Animal Code Update.
Outcome/Action:
Provide feedback to Staff regarding items related to the Animal Code Update.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Brian Hagen | 11/20/2025 03:37 PM |
| Adam Martin | Adam Martin | 11/20/2025 03:55 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Brian Hagen
- Started On:
- 11/20/2025 03:31 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 11/20/2025