Chapter 6.20
EXOTIC ANIMAL AND ANIMAL
FANCIER PERMIT

Sections:

6.20.010    Purpose of provisions.

6.20.020    Exemptions from chapter applicability.

6.20.030    Animal fancier permit – Requirements.

6.20.040    Permit – Application approval procedure.

6.20.050    Renewal of permit – Delinquency penalty.

6.20.060    Inspection of permits.

6.20.070    Rules and regulations – Animal control director authority.

6.20.010 Purpose of provisions.

The City Council finds, determines and declares that it intends to provide for the public health, safety and welfare through the regulation and control of exotic animals and household pets not otherwise regulated and controlled by federal, state, or local laws, as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.20.020 Exemptions from chapter applicability.

The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to the following:

A. Owners who use animals for diagnostic purposes or research, and who have a valid permit issued by a governmental agency, and whose animals are kept on the premises specified in the permit;

B. Owners who use animals for teaching purposes in recognized educational institutions and whose animals are kept on the premises of the institution or other authorized place;

C. Owners of establishments which treat or board animals on the premises, and which are owned or operated by a veterinarian licensed by the state;

D. Owners who are engaged in agriculture as a permitted use pursuant to the zoning ordinance, and in connection therewith on the premises affected keep animals as beasts of burden (such as horses, dairying and animal and poultry husbandry);

E. Owners of horseriding academies and public and private horse stables and premises on which they are operated, as a conditional use pursuant to the zoning ordinance; and

F. Owners of licensed pet shops. (Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.20.030 Animal fancier permit – Requirements.

A. No person shall own or keep any exotic animal or six or more household pets, provided the number of dogs does not exceed three, over 12 weeks of age without first applying to and receiving from the Administrative Services Director an animal fancier permit.

B. The application for an animal fancier permit shall include the following:

1. The applicant’s name, address and telephone number.

2. The address of the proposed location where the animals will be maintained.

3. Name, address, telephone number of the property owner of the proposed location if different from the applicant.

4. Name of educational organization and name, address, and telephone number of the project leader where applicable.

5. Name of species of animals to be maintained and the number of animals to be maintained and the number of animals.

6. Description of the housing facilities and the proposed location on the lot where the housing facilities will be placed,

7. Purpose for the keeping of such animals on the property.

8. Any other information the director deems necessary.

C. Fees for animal fancier permits shall be established by resolution of the City Council. The Administrative Services Director, upon payment of the annual fee, shall issue to the applicant a permit in such form as he may prescribe, and shall deliver a copy thereof to the animal control director. Such annual permit shall be for the calendar year, or any portion thereof, and shall be due and payable in advance.

D. The fee may cover either one animal or a collection thereof, and the maximum number of specimens permitted to be kept shall be specified in the permit. Whenever a new animal or collection is added so as to exceed the maximum number permitted, a new permit must be secured and a new fee shall be due and payable at the time of issuance of the permit.

E. Whenever, in any given permit year, there are new animals in a collection due to the reproduction of members of the collection or due to trade, exchange or replacement in the same number and of the same zoological order as the members of the collection traded, exchanged or replaced, the new animals do not require an additional permit during that year, provided the director is notified in writing of the new animals within 30 days of acquisition or birth. Exception: This provision shall not apply to household pets. An animal fancier permit shall be applied for by an owner of household pets regulated by this chapter when such household pets attain the age of 12 weeks old. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1908 § 23, 2010; Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.20.040 Permit – Application approval procedure.

A. Upon receipt of an application for an initial permit by the Administrative Services Director, he or she shall request the animal control director to make any investigation he deems proper. The director shall approve an application if he makes all of the findings specified in this section. The application may initially be forwarded to the public works, planning and public health departments of the City or Alameda County, if the animal control director, in his discretion, concludes that the assistance of such departments is necessary in order for him to approve the application. Designated employees of these departments shall ascertain and inform the animal control director whether or not the applicant’s plan is in conformity with the law administered by these departments.

B. Upon approval by such departments of the application for an initial permit or upon the receipt of an application for a renewal permit, the animal control director shall make any investigation he deems proper. He shall approve an application if he finds all of the following:

1. The keeping of the animal at the location specified in the application will not violate any federal, state or local law.

2. Odor, noise, dust and drainage from the keeping and maintenance of the animal will not contribute a nuisance or hazard to the public.

3. The keeping and maintenance of the animal will not endanger the peace, health or safety of persons in the immediate vicinity, or in the City as a whole. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1908 § 24, 2010; Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.20.050 Renewal of permit – Delinquency penalty.

A. Each succeeding year a renewal permit shall be obtained by a holder of an animal fancier permit. The fee for the issuance of a renewal permit shall be the same as that fee currently chargeable for an initial permit, and it is due and payable in advance each year on the first day of January. If, during the preceding year or years, more than one initial permit has been issued to an applicant, the former permits may be consolidated so that only one renewal permit is required.

B. A renewal fee for an animal fancier permit shall become delinquent 30 days after it becomes due and payable, and upon delinquency, an additional delinquent fee established by resolution of the City Council shall be added to the regular fee. An unpaid delinquent fee shall be added to the succeeding year’s renewal fee. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.20.060 Inspection of permits.

A. Permits issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be surrendered for inspection by the permittee upon the request of the director or an officer.

B. The premises on which an animal is maintained shall be open at any reasonable hour for inspection by an animal control officer. (Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.20.070 Rules and regulations – Animal control director authority.

The director may formulate rules and regulations in conformity with, and for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter. Compliance with such rules and regulations shall be a prerequisite to the issuance and continued validity of any permit provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)