Planning Board Recommends Adoption of
Kennel Ordinance
By Carolyn Webber, Planning Board Member
Windham Residents will have
an opportunity to vote for the adoption of the town’s first ever
ordinance regulating Kennels at this year’s Town Meeting in March. The Planning Board has endorsed the
adoption of a Kennel Ordinance by a vote of 4-2-1. The Ordinance will be Amendment #11 on the Ballet.
The ordinance is intended to
provide regulations for protecting the welfare of dogs and other animals as
well as the public's health. It will govern both commercial and home occupation
kennels and does not apply to veterinary establishments licensed by the state
of New Hampshire.
A commercial kennel is
intended and used to keep or care, breed, groom, handle, train, sell, or board
on a short or long term basis, five (5) or more dogs or other household pets
belonging to customers, patrons, or others, or lost or stray animals, for
compensation or humanitarian
gesture.
Commercial kennels are permitted
only in the Commercial A or Limited Industrial Districts. They shall be
required to obtain site plan approval from the Planning Board.
Any kennel operation with
four (4) or fewer dogs or other household pets and is a commercial enterprise
may be considered a Customary Home Occupation and will require the securing of
a Customary Home Occupation/Conditional Use Permit.
The ordinance contains
provisions that minimize the impact of kennels on neighboring property owners
by regulating noise, security fencing and screening, and setbacks of the
kennels from property lines and neighboring structures.
In order to encourage a
healthy environment for the animals, the ordinance sets a minimum size for kennel
space, proper waste disposal, and states vaccination requirements for cats and
dogs.
For
more information about the proposed Kennel Ordinance, including a full text
version of the document, visit the town website www.windhamnewhampshire.com/. Copies of all materials are also
available at the Community Development Department.