HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 7005Page 1
113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-8323
Ordinance: 7005
File Number: 2026-1937
AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW SHEEP WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY BY
AMENDING § 164.04 URBAN AGRICULTURE AND TO ENACT AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE
WHEREAS, the City permits miniature goats in residential urban agriculture and miniature sheep are a reasonable and
practical addition to consider; and
WHEREAS, miniature breeds such as Babydoll Southdown sheep are small, manageable animals that can contribute to
urban agriculture through grazing, compostable manure, fiber production, and agricultural education for families and
children.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE,
ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby repeals subsection (D) of § 164.04 (D)
Urban Agriculture and enacts a replacement § 164.04 (D) as shown in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof.
Section 2: Emergency Clause. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby determines that this
ordinance should become effective without delay so that citizens may obtain miniature lambs after the birthing season.
Therefore, the City Council hereby declares that an emergency exists so that this Ordinance shall become effective
immediately after its passage and approval.
PASSED and APPROVED on June 2, 2026
Approved:
_______________________________
Molly Rawn, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer
This publication was paid for by the City Clerk-Treasurer of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Amount Paid: $ 117.04
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
Page 1
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Legislation Text
113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-8323
File #: 2026-1937
AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW SHEEP WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY
BY AMENDING § 164.04 URBAN AGRICULTURE AND TO ENACT AN EMERGENCY
CLAUSE
WHEREAS, the City permits miniature goats in residential urban agriculture and miniature sheep are a
reasonable and practical addition to consider; and
WHEREAS, miniature breeds such as Babydoll Southdown sheep are small, manageable animals that
can contribute to urban agriculture through grazing, compostable manure, fiber production, and
agricultural education for families and children.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby repeals subsection (D) of §
164.04 (D) Urban Agriculture and enacts a replacement § 164.04 (D) as shown in Exhibit A attached
hereto and made a part hereof.
Section 2: Emergency Clause. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby
determines that this ordinance should become effective without delay so that citizens may obtain
miniature lambs after the birthing season. Therefore, the City Council hereby declares that an emergency
exists so that this Ordinance shall become effective immediately after its passage and approval.
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
Mailing address:
113 W. Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
www.fayetteville-ar.gov
CITY COUNCIL MEMO
2026-1937
MEETING OF JUNE 2, 2026
TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council
THROUGH: Blake Pennington, Senior Assistant City Attorney
FROM: Sarah Moore, Ward 2 Position 1
SUBJECT: An Ordinance to amend § 164.04 Urban Agriculture
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends amending § 164.04 Urban Agriculture to allow small sheep that do not exceed 24 inches at
the withers to be lawful to keep within the corporate limits of the city.
BACKGROUND:
The City already permits miniature goats in residential urban agriculture, and miniature sheep are a reasonable
and practical addition to consider. They are similar in size and care requirements and, in many cases, can
create fewer neighborhood concerns. Sheep are generally quieter, less likely to escape, and less likely to
damage landscaping or fencing than goats. Miniature breeds such as Babydoll Southdown sheep are small,
manageable animals that can contribute to urban agriculture through grazing, compostable manure, fiber
production, and agricultural education for families and children.
DISCUSSION:
Staff recommends amending § 164.04 Urban Agriculture to allow small sheep that do not exceed 24 inches at
the withers to be lawful to keep within the corporate limits of the city.
BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT:
None
ATTACHMENTS: 3. Exhibit A - 164.04 Urban Agriculture - Add Small Sheep, 4. 164.04 Urban Agriculture -
Add Small Sheep - Red Line, 5. Agenda Request - Council Member Sarah Moore, 6. Council Member Sarah
Moore Language Approval Confirmation
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
164.04 Urban Agriculture (Fowl, Bees, Sheep & Goats)
…….
(D) Goats and Sheep. It shall be lawful to keep goats and sheep within the corporate limits of the city under the
following terms and conditions:
(1) Allowed goats shall be female dwarf or pygmy goats not weighing more than 85 pounds and no taller
than 22.5 inches at the withers (ridge between the shoulder blades). Bucks are not allowed.
(2) Allowed sheep shall be small sheep such as Harlequin Sheep, North American Shetland Sheep, Cheviot
Sheep, and Babydoll Southdown Sheep that do not exceed 24 inches at the withers. Rams are not
allowed.
(2) All goats and sheep shall have RFID microchips and be registered with the Fayetteville Animal Services
Program.
(3) The principal use of the property shall be educational or single-family residential.
(4) Goats and sheep shall not be permitted on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet. The minimum number
of goats or sheep kept on a lot that is 10,000 square feet and larger shall be two (2). Lots 15,000 square
feet and larger shall be allowed up to a maximum number of three (3) goats or sheep. Nursing off-
spring may be kept on the property until the age of twelve (12) weeks and shall not be included in the
number of goats or sheep allowed.
(5) There shall be no onsite slaughter of goats or sheep.
(6) Goats and sheep shall be provided with sufficient good and wholesome food and water.
(7) All goats and sheep shall have a secure, fenced yard constructed with a minimum area of 200 square
feet per goat or sheep and a shelter that is minimum 10 square foot per goat or sheep. Shelters shall
be well ventilated and provide protection from the weather including four (4) sides with opening, roof
and floor.
(8) The shelter shall not be located closer than 50 feet to any residential structure on an adjacent lot, and
shall meet the building setbacks of the underlying zoning district. The shelter and fenced yard shall be
in the side or rear yard, and are not permitted in the front yard area.
(9) The yard must be kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all times, and must be cleaned on a regular
basis so as to prevent offensive odors, attraction of flies or vermin, the creation of an environment
otherwise injurious to the public health and safety, or that would obstruct the free use of property so
as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by members of the neighborhood,
city, or other persons. The owner shall provide for the storage and removal of manure. Stored manure
to be used for composting shall be fully covered or placed in an enclosure. All manure not used for
composting or fertilizing shall be removed and properly disposed.
(10) Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the keeping of goats or sheep within a
school property or community garden for the purposes of study or education. Additionally, land
owners are permitted to keep goats or sheep in one location for a maximum of two (2) weeks for the
purpose of land clearing and the removal of vegetation.
(11) The city may further restrict or prohibit the keeping of goats and sheep within residential districts,
within a neighborhood or on a particular property if the City Council determines that goat(s) or sheep
have created a public nuisance or public health issue.
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
164.04 Urban Agriculture (Fowl, Bees, Sheep & Goats)
…….
(D) Goats and Sheep. It shall be lawful to keep goats and sheep within the corporate limits of the city under the
following terms and conditions:
(1) Allowed goats shall be female dwarf or pygmy goats not weighing more than 85 pounds and no taller
than 22.5 inches at the withers (ridge between the shoulder blades). Bucks are not allowed.
(2) Allowed sheep shall be small sheep such as Harlequin Sheep, North American Shetland Sheep, Cheviot
Sheep, and Babydoll Southdown Sheep that do not exceed 24 inches at the withers. Rams are not
allowed.
(2) All goats and sheep shall have RFID microchips and be registered with the Fayetteville Animal Services
Program.
(3) The principal use of the property shall be educational or single-family residential.
(4) Goats and sheep shall not be permitted on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet. The minimum number
of goats or sheep kept on a lot that is 10,000 square feet and larger shall be two (2). Lots 15,000 square
feet and larger shall be allowed up to a maximum number of three (3) goats or sheep. Nursing off-
spring may be kept on the property until the age of twelve (12) weeks and shall not be included in the
number of goats or sheep allowed.
(5) There shall be no onsite slaughter of goats or sheep.
(6) Goats and sheep shall be provided with sufficient good and wholesome food and water.
(7) All goats and sheep shall have a secure, fenced yard constructed with a minimum area of 200 square
feet per goat or sheep and a shelter that is minimum 5 10 square foot per goat or sheep. Shelters shall
be well ventilated and provide protection from the weather including four (4) sides with opening, roof
and floor.
(8) The shelter shall not be located closer than 50 feet to any residential structure on an adjacent lot, and
shall meet the building setbacks of the underlying zoning district. The shelter and fenced yard shall be
in the side or rear yard, and are not permitted in the front yard area.
(9) The yard must be kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all times, and must be cleaned on a regular
basis so as to prevent offensive odors, attraction of flies or vermin, the creation of an environment
otherwise injurious to the public health and safety, or that would obstruct the free use of property so
as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by members of the neighborhood,
city, or other persons. The owner shall provide for the storage and removal of manure. Stored manure
to be used for composting shall be fully covered or placed in an enclosure. All manure not used for
composting or fertilizing shall be removed and properly disposed.
(10) Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the keeping of goats or sheep within a
school property or community garden for the purposes of study or education. Additionally, land
owners are permitted to keep goats or sheep in one location for a maximum of two (2) weeks for the
purpose of land clearing and the removal of vegetation.
(11) The city may further restrict or prohibit the keeping of goats and sheep within residential districts,
within a neighborhood or on a particular property if the City Council determines that goat(s) or sheep
have created a public nuisance or public health issue.
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
CivicClerk No.: 2026-1937
AGENDA REQUEST FORM
FOR: Council Meeting of June 2, 2026
FROM: Sarah Moore
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TITLE AND SUBJECT:
AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW SHEEP WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY
BY AMENDING § 164.04 URBAN AGRICULTURE
APPROVED FOR AGENDA:
_______________ ___________________________________
Council Member Sarah Moore Date
___________________________________ _______________
Blake Pennington Date
Approved as to form
___________________________________ _______________
Mayor Molly Rawn Date
Acknowledgement
05/26/26
Approved via email 05/26/26
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
From:Moore, Sarah
To:Barnes, Stacy; Pennington, Blake
Subject:Re: Ordinance to amend § 164.04
Date:Tuesday, May 26, 2026 9:25:06 AM
Attachments:image001.png
image002.png
This is approved.
Learning all the time on this one. Given what was shared with me about sheep having their babies in
the Spring and having to put deposits down for them, I am going to plan to walk this on to agenda
session today. I had not realized the window that exists for acquiring a sheep from the Spring
production and know this one resident in particular is waiting to put down a deposit and the window
for those gets harder as we get further into Spring.
I would like to save a little time by walking this on to today’s agenda session. Can we please share
this entire language out with council and mayor office so that they will have it prior to this afternoon’s
meeting?
Thank you
Sarah Moore
Fayetteville City Council, Ward 2
sarah.moore@fayetteville-ar.gov
479.263.6629
Report a concern with SeeClickFix:
https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4233/Report-a-Concern-with-SeeClickFix
Speak up on City projects:
https://speakup.fayetteville-ar.gov/
Voice your feedback to the entire Council and Mayor by emailing:
agendaitemcomment@fayetteville-ar.gov
From: Barnes, Stacy <sbarnes@fayetteville-ar.gov>
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 8:56 AM
To: Moore, Sarah <sarah.moore@fayetteville-ar.gov>
Cc: Pennington, Blake <bpennington@fayetteville-ar.gov>
Subject: Ordinance to amend § 164.04
Sarah,
Attached is the Ordinance to amend § 164.04 and the Agenda Request. I know you already
approved the changes on the actual code, so If this meets your approval, please sign and
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
return to me. Thanks!
Stacy Barnes
City Attorney Paralegal
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
113 W Mountain St., Suite 302
Fayetteville, AR 72701
T 479.575.8313 |
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Docusign Envelope ID: 56E3B042-A1E5-86AB-8350-9E8FDA398C3F
Form v1.55
DECEIVE
i 6/8/2026
CITY OF /2026 E'V LSE
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Account#: NWCL5004205
Company: CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE-CLERKS OFFI
113 W MOUNTAIN
FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72701
Ad number#: 602397
PO #:
Matter of: Ord 7005
AFFIDAVIT•STATE OF ARKANSAS
1. Maria Hernandez-Lopez ,do solemnly swear that I am the Legal Clerk of the NWA Democrat Gazette,a daily
newspaper printed and published in WASHINGTON/BENTON county,State of ARKANSAS;that I was so related to
this publication at and during the publication of the annexed legal advertisement in the matter of:
Ord 7005
Pending in the court,in said County.and at the dates of the several publications of said advertisement stated below,and
that during said periods and at said dates,said newspaper was printed and had a bona fide circulation in said County,
that said newspaper had been regularly printed and published in said county,and had a bona tide circulation therein for
the period of one month before the date of the first publication of said advertisement;and that said advertisement was
published in the regular daily issues of said newspaper as stated below.
And that there is due or has been paid the NWA Democrat Gazette for publication the sum of$117.04.
(Includes$0.00 Affidavit Charge).
NWA Democrat Gazette 06/07/26;NWA nwaonline.com 06/07/26
(14/t144/.1 ���luuiiinrrr�
G,l BRAS ly
Legal C
State of ARKANSAS,County of Sebastian , _ > r e <
Subscribed and sworn to before me on this 8th day of June, 2026 P(J BO' do
NOT ZY PUBLIC
Ordinance:7005
File Number: 2026-1937
AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW
SHEEP WITHIN THE CORPORATE
LIMITS OF THE CITY BYAMEND-
ING§164.04 URBAN AGRICUL-
TURE AND TO ENACT AN
EMERGENCY CLAUSE
WHEREAS,the City permits
miniature goats in residential
urban agriculture and miniature
sheep are a reasonable and
practical addition to consider,
and
WHEREAS,miniature breeds
such as Babydoll Southdown
sheep are small,manageable •
animals that can contribute to
urban agriculture through graz-
ing,compostable manure,fiber
production,and agricultural ed-
ucation for families and chil-
dren.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RE-
SOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE,
ARKANSAS:
Section 1:That the City Coun-
cil of the City of Fayetteville,
Arkansas hereby repeals sub-
section (D) of § 164.04 (D)
Urban Agriculture and enacts a
replacement§ 164.04 (D) as
shown in Exhibit A attached
hereto and made a part hereof.
Section 2:Emergency Clause.
That the City Council of the City
of Fayetteville,Arkansas hereby
determines that this ordinance
should become effective with •
-
out delay so that citizens may
obtain miniature lambs atter the •
birthing season.Therefore,the
City Council hereby declares
that an emergency exists so
that this Ordinance shall be-
come effective immediately
after its passage and approval.
PASSED and APPROVED on
June 2,2026
Approved:
Molly Rawn,Mayor
Attest:
Kara Paxton
City Clerk Treasurer
This publication was paid for
by the City Clerk-Treasurer of
the City of Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
Amount Paid:5117.04
June 7,2026 602397