Chapter 6.15
COMMERCIAL KENNELS
Sections:
6.15.020 Commercial kennel license – Requirements.
6.15.025 Commercial kennel license – Application.
6.15.030 Commercial kennel license term and fee schedule.
6.15.035 Commercial kennel construction and inspection standards.
6.15.040 Commercial kennel license – Inspection of facilities.
6.15.045 Commercial kennel license – Display.
6.15.050 Commercial kennel occupancy restrictions.
6.15.055 Humane condition requirements for commercial kennels.
6.15.060 Commercial kennel license – Revocation, denial, or refusal to renew.
6.15.065 Commercial kennel license – Records required.
6.15.070 Vaccination is required.
6.15.010 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions in TMC 6.05.010, the following definitions also apply to this chapter:
A. “Kennel” means any buildings, animal runs, enclosures, and/or any other facilities used for the keeping or housing of dogs over three months of age, sufficient to secure the dogs on the premises.
B. “Commercial kennel” means the business, whether for profit or not, of boarding, breeding, letting for hire, selling, bartering, or giving away dogs. For this chapter, a person selling more than two litters of offspring produced by one or more dogs on an annual basis shall be construed as a commercial kennel. This definition excludes an individual who owns multiple dogs for personal pleasure. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.015 Enforcement agents.
The city manager has designated the Yakima Humane Society as the animal control authority and may designate other agencies to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the appropriate administrative, clerical staff and law enforcement officers of the city and by the animal control officers of the agency designated by the city manager. Law enforcement officers and animal control officers shall have concurrent jurisdiction to effect such enforcement. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.020 Commercial kennel license – Requirements.
It is unlawful for any person to own, maintain or operate a commercial kennel unless such person has obtained the applicable license as provided hereinafter. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.025 Commercial kennel license – Application.
A person may apply for a commercial kennel license by completing and submitting an application form provided by the city. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.030 Commercial kennel license term and fee schedule.
A. A commercial kennel license shall be annual from January 1st until December 31st each year. Each kennel license renewal is due January 1st of each year. Each kennel license renewed after January 31st of each year shall be assessed a late fee. Kennel license fees shall be established by resolution of the city council, as amended from time to time.
B. Commercial kennel licenses are not transferrable between owners.
C. The commercial kennel license required by this chapter is in addition to the business license required under TMC Title 5. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.035 Commercial kennel construction and inspection standards.
A. All commercial kennels shall adhere to the construction and inspection standards enumerated in this section.
1. All facilities shall be so constructed and maintained to provide comfort and safety for animals. All areas of the premises shall be maintained in a clean and orderly condition, free of objectionable odors. All facilities shall comply with applicable state and municipal laws, ordinances, and regulations.
2. Adequate heating and cooling shall be provided for the comfort of the animals, and the facility shall have sufficient ventilation in all areas. Kennels and animal shelters must provide for a minimum of three air changes per hour.
3. Proper lighting shall be provided in all rooms utilized for the care and confinement of animals. Outside lighting shall be adequate to identify the building and to assist the animal caregivers and clients.
4. Potable water shall be provided at all times. The water source shall be fresh and free of contaminants or harmful substances.
5. Any equipment, instruments, or facilities used in the confinement and treatment of animals shall be clean and sanitary at all times to protect against the spread of diseases, parasites, and infection.
6. Covered waste containers, impermeable by water, shall be used for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, animal tissues, debris, and other waste. Disposal facilities shall be so operated as to minimize insect or other vermin infestation, and to prevent odor and disease hazards or other nuisance conditions.
7. Any facility confining animals shall have individual cages, pens, exercise areas, or stalls to confine said animals in a comfortable, sanitary, and safe manner.
8. All runs and exercise pens shall be of adequate size to allow comfort and exercise. Runs and exercise pens shall provide and allow effective separation of adjacent animals and their waste products and shall be constructed in such a manner as to protect against escape or injury. Floors of runs shall be of impervious material.
B. The facility shall use refrigeration and employ a procedure for the prompt, sanitary, and aesthetic disposal of dead animals which complies with all applicable state, county, and municipal laws, ordinances, and regulations. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.040 Commercial kennel license – Inspection of facilities.
A. Upon application for a commercial kennel license, the city shall cause an inspection of the subject facilities to occur to determine if they may be properly licensed. The Yakima Humane Society is hereby authorized to conduct commercial kennel inspections on behalf of the city.
B. The commercial kennel facilities shall be subject to an annual inspection by the city animal control officer during normal business hours. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.045 Commercial kennel license – Display.
The license issued for a commercial kennel shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the premises where such kennel is located. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.050 Commercial kennel occupancy restrictions.
A. Individual dogs kept in a commercial kennel for 30 days or less are exempt from the licensing requirements in TMC 6.05.020.
B. Individual dogs kept in a kennel for more than 30 days shall be licensed pursuant to TMC 6.05.020. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.055 Humane condition requirements for commercial kennels.
Pursuant to Chapter 16.52 RCW, the owner of a commercial kennel shall maintain humane and sanitary conditions. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.060 Commercial kennel license – Revocation, denial, or refusal to renew.
A license for any commercial kennel may be revoked, denied, or not renewed for failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter, and such action by the city shall be final and conclusive unless within 20 days of written notification thereof an appeal is received by the city. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.065 Commercial kennel license – Records required.
Each commercial kennel shall prepare, maintain, and make available to the city a current record of all dogs auctioned off, sold, let, or otherwise disposed of, proof of vaccination, and a current record of all dogs born within such facility or acquired from other sources. Such records shall include the origin, the age and type of dog, and the name and address of the transferee or transferor. A commercial kennel shall have available for inspection at any time all required records, tags or tattoos, or microchip numbers for each dog. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).
6.15.070 Vaccination is required.
Each commercial kennel owner shall cause or otherwise require each dog over three months of age to be boarded, given away, owned, or sold by it, to receive a current and proper rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination records shall be kept and made available upon request. (Ord. 2022-03 § 1, 2022).