FYI-CITY OF CALAIS DOMESTICATED LIVESTOCK ORDINANCE

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CITY OF CALAIS
DOMESTICATED LIVESTOCK ORDINANCE
Sec. 1. – Purpose.
The purpose of this Domesticated Livestock Ordinance (“the Ordinance”) is to provide standards
for the keeping of domesticated livestock within certain designated areas in the City of Calais.
The Ordinance is intended to enable residents of single-family homes to keep a small number of
domesticated farm animals on appropriately sized lots while limiting the potential adverse
impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.

Sec. 2. – Definitions.
Domesticated farm animals: bovine, horses, donkeys, mules, sheep, goats, swine, llamas,
alpacas, and all fowl including ducks, geese, guinea, chickens, turkey and the like.
Barns, stables, and other enclosures: any structure designed to provide safe and healthy
living conditions for domesticated farm animals while minimizing adverse impacts to neighboring
lot owners. The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal, or similar materials as construction
material is prohibited.
Trespass: An owner or keeper of an animal may not allow, without permission, any
domesticated farm animals to enter onto and/or remain on the property of another or on any
local, county, or state road or highway.
Removal: The owner or keeper of a domesticated farm animal is responsible, at the owner’s or
keeper’s expense, for removing any animal found trespassing.
Household pets: Unless their numbers and variety qualify their keeping as a kennel or pet
breeder, household pets such as dogs, cats, exotic birds, and reptiles may be kept on property
in the City of Calais.
Animal Unit: The equivalent of: 1 bovine, horse, or llama; 2 donkeys, swine, or alpacas; 4
goats, sheep, geese, ducks, guinea fowl, turkeys, or rabbits; or 6 chickens (no roosters).
City Officials: City Animal Control Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, Local Health Officer
and/or Calais Police Department.

 

Sec. 3. – Applicability.
This Ordinance applies to all property located in Calais as described: beginning at the mile
marker on Main Street heading south and west to the traffic circle, then following the boundary
of the international border to the boundary of Calais following the St. Croix River to the place of
beginning. The applicable area of the Ordinance is further outlined in the map titled “Calais
Domestic Livestock Ordinance”, incorporated herein

Sec. 4. – Lot Sizes, Animal Units, and Setbacks.
For any property subject to this Ordinance, the following limitations apply for domesticated farm
animals, excluding fowl:
a) A single-family residence having a minimum lot area of 2 acres is required for the
keeping of domesticated farm animals.
b) No more than 2 Animal Units (“AU”) shall be kept on a lot with a single-family
dwelling, except for lots totaling 3 acres or more may keep an additional 2 AUs for
each additional acre.
c) Minimum setback: Any barns, stables, or other enclosures or structures used to
house domesticated farm animals must be at least 35 feet from a property line and at
least 50 feet from any residential dwelling located on an abutting property. Securely
enclosed roaming or grazing areas must be at least 20 feet from any property line
and at least 30 feet from any residential dwelling located on an abutting lot. Existing
enclosures in place as of the date of this ordinance enactment shall be exempt.

 

Sec. 5. Domesticated Fowl.
For any property subject to this Ordinance, the following limitations apply for domesticated fowl.
Domesticated fowl is intended to mean chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, and the
like.
a) No more than one AU shall be kept on a lot with a single-family dwelling. The
minimum lot size required is ½ acre and the minimum setback for the housing
structure on the side and rear is 20 feet from abutting property owners. Housing
structures are not allowed on the front side or street side of a lot.
b) A housing structure shall be provided to provide safe and healthy living
conditions for the fowl while minimizing adverse impacts to other residents in the
neighborhood. An existing shed or garage, or portion of an existing building can
be used if it meets the standards of this section.
c) A building permit is required for a new housing structure.
d) Housing structures must be enclosed on all sides and have a roof and doors.
Access doors must be able to be shut and locked at night.
e) The roaming pen must have a minimum of 10 sq. feet per fowl and must be
constructed to not allow the fowl to get out without human assistance

Sec. 6. Waste Storage and Removal.
a) Provisions must be made for the storage and removal of domesticated farm
animal waste, including manure. All stored waste and manure shall be covered
and not consist of more than 3 cubic yards on lots of 2 acres or less. All other
manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed and legally
disposed of.
b) No manure shall be stored within 300 feet of the normal high-water mark of a
water body, wetland, brook, stream, vernal pool, or well that supplies water for
human consumption.
c) Excessive odors from domesticated animals, manure, or other related
substances shall not be perceptible at the property lines of abutting landowners.
Manure storage must meet all applicable Maine Department of Agriculture,
Conservation and Forestry Best Management Practices or similar State or
Federal guidelines.
Sec. 7. Rodents, Insects and Parasites.
a) The property owner shall take necessary action to reduce the attraction of
predators and rodents and the potential infestation of insects and parasites.
b) Feed and water shall be unavailable to rodents, wild birds, and predators by way
of rodent proof containers.
c) Animals found to be infested with insects and parasites shall be removed by the
City Official.

Sec. 8. Licensing Requirements.
A person who keeps domesticated animals shall obtain a license from the City Clerk for a fee of
$15.00. The license shall expire annually on the 1st day of April. The license shall be issued
after favorable inspection of a property’s compliance with this ordinance by a City Official. The
license fee is non-refundable if the license is not approved. There will be a late fee assessed to
licenses that have expired, in the amount of $25.00.

Sec. 9. Complaints.
When any person files a complaint with a City Official that this ordinance is being violated, the
City Official shall respond within 5 working days. All complaints and the action taken will be kept
on file. It is at the discretion of the City Official whether a complaint is valid.

Sec. 10. Penalty.
Any person who violates any provision of this Ordinance commits a civil violation punishable by
a civil penalty as set out in 30-A MRS § 4452 for each day the violation continues beyond the
allotted correction period. In addition, the city may pursue all remedies and relief available at law
and/or in equity, including without limitation the remedies and relief provided 30-A MRS § 4452.

Sec 11. Severability.
If any section, subsection, clause, paragraph, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portions shall
be deemed to be a separate, distinct, and independent provision and such holding shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.

Sec 12. Authority.
This Ordinance is adopted as a local building code ordinance pursuant to 30-A MRS §3001 and
30-A MRS § 3007.

Sec 13. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall be effective upon adoption by the City Council of the City of Calais
pursuant to the City Charter authorization.
ADOPTED: ___________________by the City Council of the City of Calais