Chapter 6.02
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
6.02.020 License tag required.
6.02.030 Nonapplicability to licensing.
6.02.090 Denial of license – Appeal.
6.02.010 Dog licensing.
A. It is unlawful to keep or harbor a dog more than six months of age unless an annual license is procured for the dog from the Clerk-Treasurer. It is presumed that the purchaser of such license is the owner of the animal identified in the license application.
B. Dogs four months old or older shall be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinations shall be performed in accordance with the standards contained in the “Compendium of Animal Rabies Control” as amended, published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. Proof of vaccination must be shown before a license will be issued by the Clerk-Treasurer.
C. The annual license fees, including late penalties, are set by resolution of the City Council. The annual license period shall begin January 1st and end December 31st of each calendar year. A late penalty is charged on all licenses issued after March 1st of each year and an additional late penalty is charged on all licenses issued after May 1st of each year. A dog acquired during the year shall be licensed within 30 days from the date of its acquisition, and in such cases the late penalties are charged only on licenses issued after such 30-day period and after 90 days in which to comply with these licensing requirements.
D. When a license is obtained in the process of recovery of an impounded dog, a fee is charged for the license.
E. The license shall remain in force for the calendar year in which it is issued. A license is considered as being due on January 1st of each year.
Application for such license is made on forms provided by the City. The application shall list the name, address, and phone number of the owner, the name, breed, colors, age and sex, if any, of the dog, and such other medical and vaccination information and data as may be required. Such information is kept, indexed by the Clerk-Treasurer, together with the number of the license issued.
F. City residents 62 years of age or the owners of a service dog(s) may obtain, at the charge set by resolution, a special permanent license for the lifetime of dogs that are neutered or spayed and for which they are the registered owners when the animals are maintained at the owner’s registered address. Such residents are not required to annually obtain a new license for the lifetime of such licensed animals, except that no household shall be issued more than three special permanent animal licenses for dogs.
G. A license issued is not transferable or usable by a person, other than the person to whom it was originally issued, except as provided in subsection (J) of this section.
H. It is unlawful for an applicant to withhold or provide false information on an application.
I. Upon payment of the license fee, the Clerk-Treasurer shall furnish to the person paying the same a license tag for the dog for which such fee has been paid. The shape of such tag may be changed from year to year, and the tag shall have stamped upon it the calendar year for which the fee has been paid. All license tags issued shall be securely fastened to a collar or other like harness which shall be worn by the animal at all times when off the premises of the licensed owner.
J. Whenever the ownership of a licensed dog changes, the new owner shall notify the Clerk-Treasurer and shall pay the fee set by resolution, whereupon the Clerk-Treasurer shall change the record for the animal to show the new ownership. Permanent licenses may not be transferred.
K. An owner or keeper of a licensed dog whose current license tag has been lost may obtain a replacement tag by the payment of the fee set by resolution, whereupon the Clerk-Treasurer shall change the record of the animal to show the new tag number.
L. The above provisions of this section shall not apply to:
1. Dogs whose owners are nonresidents temporarily within the City;
2. The owners of dogs brought into the City for the purpose of participating in a dog show;
3. Veterinarians in custody of dogs;
4. The owners or operators of an animal shelter;
5. The owners or operators of a duly licensed kennel;
6. The owners or operators of a grooming parlor or pet shop.
M. It is unlawful for a person to refuse to show or exhibit at a reasonable time to an officer the license tag issued for a dog in such person’s possession or custody. (Ord. C-669 § 16, 2008)
6.02.020 License tag required.
It is unlawful for any person to use or display on an animal any license tag that belongs to a different animal. If there is a change of ownership of a licensed dog, the new owner must apply for and obtain a new license from the City. (Ord. C-669 § 17, 2008)
6.02.030 Nonapplicability to licensing.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs in the custody of a veterinarian or animal shelter. (Ord. C-669 § 18, 2008)
6.02.090 Denial of license – Appeal.
No person shall be issued a license until such applicant meets all applicable requirements established by this chapter. A decision to revoke, refusal to renew, or denial of a license under this chapter may be appealed to the Hearing Examiner. Such appeal shall be brought within 14 days of such decision and shall be filed in writing with the Clerk-Treasurer. Such written appeal must contain:
A. The names of the parties;
B. A brief statement setting forth the alleged error; and
C. The signature of the appellant(s). (Ord. C-669 § 19, 2008)