ZTA 2024-03/Maintenance of Animals

Inyo County is amending Section 18.78.310 of its local code to clarify and strengthen regulations regarding the maintenance of animals, specifically by identifying prohibited nuisances and establishing mandatory setbacks and stream buffer distances for animal enclosures across the entire county. This regulatory update, designated as ZTA 2024-03, is being processed as a CEQA-exempt action under the Commonsense Exemption (15061(b)(3)), with supporting documentation including a Notice of Exemption, a No Effect Determination from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a copy of a previously paid fee receipt. The amendment is administrative in nature and does not involve procurement, contracting, or financial compensation; it is not a federal contract and contains no FAR clauses, CAGE codes, UEIs, or federal acquisition terminology. There is no contractor or vendor involved—Inyo County, through its Planning Department and Board of Supervisors, is both the applicant and the enforcing authority. The change applies uniformly countywide and aims to reduce environmental impacts and neighbor complaints by codifying clearer standards for animal keeping practices. The filing process is strictly local and paper-based, with submissions requiring physical delivery to the Inyo County Clerk’s Office or Planning Department by the September 24, 2025 deadline. No electronic submission portal is available, and there are no specified page limits or proposal formats beyond the required attachments. No contract value, pricing, delivery schedule, or payment terms exist because this is not a procurement action but a land-use code amendment. The project does not involve inspections, technical specifications, packaging, or shipping requirements, nor are there designated contracting officers, technical representatives, or evaluation factors. The sole objective is regulatory clarity and compliance with CEQA’s exemption criteria, with acceptance occurring through official filing with the County Clerk and submission to the State Office of Planning and Research. The Planning Director, Cathreen Richards, is the primary point of contact, and the County Clerk, Lacie Ross, serves as the signing official for the exemption notice.