Documents › Board Of Trustees, 2026-07-01

resolution 3 pages

Introductory Local Law No. 10 of 2026, presented for Board of Trustees consideration July 1, 2026, would amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to clarify the harboring and keeping of animals. It would permit chickens and ducks in numbers based on lot size, with setbacks of 25 feet from lot lines in the RA-5 and RB residence districts and 50 feet in all other residence districts, and would allow other farm animals such as goats, sheep, horses, cattle and swine only on lots of two acres or more with additional acreage per animal. The keeping of roosters and pigeons would be prohibited in all residence districts.

Also attached to this agenda item: CAF - Local Law Intro 10 of 2026 Memo from Valerie Monastra on Fowl%2FAnimals Memo on Fowl %26 Poultry from Village Manager Bryan Healy Proposed Language on Farm Animals and Fowl - June 2026 Proposed Language on Farm Animals and Fowl - May 2026 Resolution 156-2026 LL Intro 10 of 2026 Referrals Short EAF Part 1 - Local Law Intro 10 of 2026 completed

For consideration by the BOT July 1, 2026 VILLAGE OF CROTON-ON-HUDSON BOARD OF TRUSTEES INTRODUCTORY LOCAL LAW NO. 10 OF 2026 A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 230 “ZONING” OF THE CROTON-ON-HUDSON VILLAGE CODE TO PROVIDE CLARIFICATION AS TO THE HARBORING AND KEEPING OF ANIMALS WITHIN THE VILLAGE A LOCAL LAW to amend the text of Chapter 230 “Zoning” to provide clarification as to the harboring or keeping of animals in the Village. BE IT ENACTED by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, as follows: Section One. Legislative Intent and Purpose. To better serve the public’s interest and in support of preserving the quality of life and encouraging mutually respectful enjoyment of property, the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson proposes text amendments to the Village Code zoning provisions for the purpose of providing clarification as to the harboring and keeping of animals within the Village. Section Two. Chapter 230, Section 230-4 “Terms Defined” of the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is hereby amended as follows, with new matter underlined and deleted matter struck through and in [brackets]: DOMESTIC ANIMALS – Any companion animal or pet, including any cat, dog, fish, parrot, rabbit, or reptile, normally maintained in or near the household of the owner or person who cares for such animal. A domestic animal shall not include any farm animals as defined hereunder. FARM ANIMALS - Animals customarily raised on a farm for agricultural purposes including, but not limited to, chickens, ducks, horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and donkeys. Section Three. Chapter 230, Section 230-9.1(A)(10) of the Code of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson is hereby amended as follows, with new matter underlined and deleted matter struck through and in [brackets]: §230-9.1 A (10) (f) – [Keeping domestic animals, except pigs, for individual domestic purposes or as pets, provided that not more than three dogs over six months old and not more than 25 fowl shall be permitted, and no animals, except dogs or cats, or fowl shall be penned or housed within 50 feet of any lot line.] Reserved. 4904-5233-4776, v. 3 Section Four. Chapter 230, Article VII, Section 230-40 “Supplementary Regulations Applicable to Residence Districts” of the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is hereby amended as follows, with new matter underlined and deleted matter struck through and in [brackets]: §230-40 J. Keeping of Animals (1) the keeping of domestic animals for individual domestic purposes or as pets, provided that no domestic animals, except dogs or cats, shall be penned or housed within 50 feet of any lot line. (2) the keeping of chickens and ducks, subject to the following conditions and limitations: (a) Chickens and ducks shall be permitted based on the ratio noted in the table below: Lot Size Maximum Number of Chickens & Ducks Permitted Less than ¼ acre Larger than ¼ acre but less than ½ acre Larger than ½ acre but less than 1 acre More than 1 acre (b) No chickens or ducks shall be penned or housed within 25 feet of any lot line in the RA-5 and RB residence districts, or within 50 feet of any lot line in all other residence districts. (c) Chickens and ducks may not be permitted to roam free and must be kept in clean, dry and secure enclosures or penned areas at all times. Enclosures and penned areas must be maintained in an odor-free, neat and sanitary condition at all times and in a manner that will not disrupt the use or enjoyment of nearby properties due to noise, odor or other adverse impact. Enclosures and penned areas must provide adequate ventilation and adequate sun and shade, as well as protection from pests and predators. All food or supplemental food-stuff supplies shall be stored in rodent-proof containers. (3) the keeping of farm animals other than chickens and ducks, subject to the following conditions and limitations: (a) Farm animals shall be permitted based on the ratio noted in the table below: Animal Maximum Count on Minimal Lot Size Minimal Lot Size Additional Animals Goats and sheep 2 acres Additional ½ acre for each additional goat or sheep 4904-5233-4776, v. 3 Horses, donkeys, mules and other large farm animals 2 acres Additional 1 acre for each additional animal Cattle 5 acres Additional 1 acre for each additional cattle Swine 2 acres Additional 1/3 acre for each additional swine (b) In all cases, the keeping of farm animals shall be limited to lots of two acres or more with ample open space to accommodate the specific animal, incident to the residential use of the land, not operated for gain, and subject to any regulations or standards promulgated by the Westchester County Department of Health and Board of Trustees. (c) Where combinations of animals are kept, the total required acreage shall be additive. For example, two goats (requiring two acres) and one horse (requiring two acres) would require a minimum lot size of four acres. (d) Lots with any harbored farm animals other than chickens and ducks shall have appropriate, secure physical fencing, with self-latching gates or doors, to prevent animals from roaming beyond lot lines or otherwise become animals at large. (e) All feed shall be housed in metal, rodent-proof containers. (f) Barns and animal storage areas shall be located at least 50 feet from each lot line and 300 feet from any neighboring dwelling. (4) the keeping of roosters and pigeons shall be prohibited in all residence districts. Section Five. Except as otherwise provided herein, all other provisions of the Croton-on-Hudson Village Code shall remain the same. Section Six. Severability If any section, subsection, clause, phrase or other portion of this Local Law is, for any reason, declared invalid, in whole or in part, by any court, agency, commission, legislative body or other authority of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent portion. Such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof, which other portions shall continue in full force and effect. Section Seven. Effective Date This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the New York State Secretary of State in accordance with section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law and shall be published and posted as required by law, including NYS Village Law §7-706 applicable to zoning text amendments.