[Adopted 12-13-2017]
The purpose of this article is to:
A. 
Regulate the management of hooved animals and their waste on properties of 1.5 acres or less.
B. 
Protect, preserve and promote the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of Ridgefield residents.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
LIVESTOCK
Any hooved animal, such as cattle, bison, swine, goats, sheep, llamas, camels, horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and other hooved animals. When used in the singular, the term in this article shall be referred to as "livestock."
USABLE
The accessible portion of a property that will be used solely for the keeping of hooved animals and that contains no steep slopes or significant rock outcroppings.
A. 
A minimum of 1/2 acre of usable lot area shall be required.
B. 
There shall be no more than one hooved animal per 1/2 acre of usable land.
A. 
All buildings and structures used for housing hooved animals shall require zoning and building permits.
B. 
A run-in shed or enclosed building shall be provided that is sized to simultaneously accommodate all hooved animals on the property. (For horses, a 10 foot by 10 foot enclosed area per horse is required.)
C. 
Fencing shall be installed and maintained to safely contain the hooved animals within the property. Such fencing must be set back five feet from all adjacent property lines. Alternatively, a solid board fence may be installed on the property line if it is of sufficient height so as to prevent encroachment by the hooved animal(s) onto neighboring properties.
D. 
All uses concerning Subsections A, B and C above shall be in compliance with all applicable Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said regulations are on file in the Town offices.
A. 
Manure shall be collected frequently from all areas and regularly removed from the property to maintain a sanitary condition and minimize odor, dust-producing substances and waste so as to prevent any health hazard, pollutants, disturbance or nuisance conditions with respect to adjacent properties and the neighboring community.
B. 
The setback for any manure pile shall be a minimum of 15 feet from any property line and in compliance with all local and state environmental regulations.
As of the date of the enactment of this article, the property of any owner who has successfully maintained hooved animals for five or more years is exempt from §§ 120-14 and 120-15. This exemption continues with the land, provided that the use of the property remains as is.
A. 
The Director of Health shall enforce the provisions of this article pursuant to the Public Health Code.
B. 
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §§ 19a-229 and 19a-9 through 19a-14 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Director of Health shall include in any order issued pursuant to this section a notice of an individual's right to appeal any such order to the Commissioner of Public Health.
C. 
The Director of Health shall first issue a warning to a landowner if such landowner's property is in violation of this article. Thereafter, if the landowner does not comply within 30 days, the Director of Health shall issue a written order to the landowner via certified mail, return receipt requested, to comply with this article by a specified date, not to be more than 30 days.
D. 
If the landowner does not comply with the order by the specified date, the landowner shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $250 per day for each day the violation persists after the date specified by the Director of Health.
E. 
Penalties shall be made payable to the Town of Ridgefield and shall be deposited with the Town's Tax Collector.
F. 
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-206, in order to enforce an order of the Director of Health, the Director of Health or any official authorized to institute civil proceedings on behalf of the Town may seek an injunction in the Superior Court, a court order for collection of the civil penalty addressed herein, and other remedies pursuant to statute.
Any landowner aggrieved by an order issued by the Director of Health may appeal that order to the Commissioner of Public Health not later than three business days after the date of such person's receipt of such order, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 19a-229.