Last week the city council heard opinion on a proposed revamped code defining the allowable animal population within city limits. The number and type also changed significantly at the quarter-acre lot size.

“When people move into less than a quarter acre lot, they expect neighbors. They don’t expect livestock,” Councilwoman Donna Burnham said.

At the end of the public hearing, the council directed city staff to prepare the proposed ordinance for approval within the next few weeks.

The existing animal ordinance does not take into account chickens, but horses, mules and buffalo are allowable on one acre or larger. Wild animals such as bears, wolf hybrids, porcupines, snakes and lizards are listed as not allowable, as are otters and mink.

Amendments to the current law would specify allowances for chickens and bees as well as change the number of dogs and cats.

The proposal would grandfather in pet owners who currently own more animals than would be allowed for their property size. It would also allow two dogs and two cats with a conditional use permit available for breeding, showing, racing or service. There may be a combination factor to allow four dogs and no cats or vice versa — but not eight pit bulls.

After monthly meetings since January, Steve Mumford, planning director for Eagle Mountain, suggested regulating animals by lot size.

Mumford presented a table last week with animals listed in the left column and lot sizes displayed across the top row.

Eagle Mountain joins several cities that have approved beekeeping within city limits within the last five years. Beekeeping is limited to no more than two hives per half acre. The hives must include removable frames, and the beekeeper must display a beekeeping license on each hive.

The proposed regulation links the number of animals allowed to lot size, limiting the number of cats, dogs, chickens, goats and bees permissible per quarter acre.

Mayor Heather Jackson tried to clarify Mumford’s graph with a chicken question.

“I live on 0.78 of an acre lot and by this graph I would be allowed six chickens for the quarter-acre lot, plus 12 more for the little bit over a half acre. So, I would be allowed a total of 18 chickens,” Jackson said. “It seems to me that we need to add an extra column.”

The extra column would specify what number of chickens would be allowed between a half and a whole acre.

The changes also would allow two goats per quarter acre lot. Councilman Nathan Ochsenhirt said this is the first time he’s heard of residents wanting a goat.

“A goat is farm animal, not a domestic animal. Allowing two goats on less than a half acre is going to be a problem,” Ochsenhirt, who admitted he had a prejudice against goats, said.

After further discussion, they opted to move the proposed ordinance amendment forward as is.