Chapter 7.08 LICENSES AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Chapter 7.08
LICENSES AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

7.08.010 Cat and dog licenses.

7.08.020 Rabies vaccination verification.

7.08.030 Cat and dog license procedure.

7.08.040 Commercial pet facilities, grooming parlors and animal welfare facilities.

7.08.050 Hobbyist.

7.08.060 Grooming parlors (Repealed)

7.08.065 Enthusiast.

7.08.070 Revocation of commercial pet facility, hobbyist, and enthusiast licenses.

7.08.010 Cat and dog licenses.

(a) Licenses. All adult dogs and cats shall be licensed within thirty calendar days from the date the owner acquires the animal or takes up residence in the county. Licenses may be obtained for one-year, three-year or lifetime durations. License fees shall be collected for unlicensed cats and dogs with all interactions with the animal control authority.

(b) License Expiration. Lifetime licenses never expire and run the lifespan of the animal. For one- or three-year licenses, they shall expire either one calendar year or three calendar years from the date of issuance.

(c) Cat and Dog License Fees. License fees shall be established no more often than once annually by resolution of the board of county commissioners. This may occur concurrently with the contract with the animal control authority.

(d) Exemptions from License Fees. The following are exempt from license fees:

(1) Cats and dogs in the temporary custody of a veterinarian or animal welfare organization whose owners are unknown;

(2) Cats and dogs owned by the owner or operator of a licensed commercial pet facility or hobbyist facility; or

(3) Service dogs.

(Ord. 510 (2013) § 3, 2013: Ord. 266 (2002) § 3, 2002: Ord. 127-A (1999) § 4, 1999: Ord. 127 (1989) § 5, 1989)

7.08.020 Rabies vaccination verification.

Rabies vaccination verification shall be required with all licenses and renewals. This verification may take the form of written verification, a signed affidavit by the owner or other legal method to ensure compliance.

(Ord. 510 (2013) § 4, 2013: Ord. 127 (1989) § 6, 1989)

7.08.030 Cat and dog license procedure.

(a) Issuance of Licenses. The county auditor, animal control authority, or the authorized agents thereof shall issue licenses pursuant to Section 7.08.010, as specified in this section.

(b) Contents of License. The license shall contain the following:

(1) Date of issuance and date of expiration;

(2) A serial number;

(3) Type of animal, its name, age, color(s), sex, breed/mix, distinguishing characteristics, and whether the animal is spayed or neutered;

(4) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the animal;

(5) Permanent identification number or marking, such as microchip implant, if applicable;

(6) The corresponding microchip identification number, if applicable.

(1) With each license, the owner shall receive a license tag that shall contain the serial number that corresponds to the serial number on the license and the date of license expiration; provided, lifetime licenses shall not include an expiration date.

(2) The license tag shall be worn at all times except during a hunt or sanctioned cat or dog show or while engaged in formal, recognized training.

(d) Transferability of Licenses. Licenses are not transferable from one cat or dog to another, but may be transferred from an original owner to a new owner; provided, that the new owner records the transfer with the licensing agent within fourteen calendar days and assumes responsibility for all future license fees while maintaining ownership of the cat or dog.

(e) Lost Tags. Lost license tags may be replaced by a substitute license or tag upon application to the county auditor, the animal control authority, or their authorized agents thereof and payment of a replacement charge to be established by resolution of the board of county commissioners.

(Ord. 510 (2013) § 5, 2013: Ord. 266 (2002) § 4, 2002: Ord. 127-A (1999) § 5, 1999: Ord. 127 (1989) § 7, 1989)

7.08.040 Commercial pet facilities, grooming parlors and animal welfare facilities.

(a) License Required. Commercial pet facilities, grooming parlors, and animal welfare facilities shall be licensed annually or no less than thirty calendar days prior to commencement of operation.

(b) License Expiration. Licenses issued under this section shall expire one calendar year from the date of issuance.

(c) License Fees. License fees shall be established no more often than once annually by resolution of the board of county commissioners. This may occur concurrently with the contract with the animal control authority.

(d) Additional License Fee. Additional license fees shall be established no more often than once annually by resolution of the board of county commissioners. This may occur concurrently with the contract with the animal control authority. If all license requirements are not met by the designated renewal date, there shall be an additional license fee per location for commercial pet facilities and grooming parlors.

(e) License Application. A license applicant shall provide the following to the animal control authority for each commercial pet facility, grooming parlor, or animal welfare facility location:

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the owner or operator of the facility and the name and address of the facility;

(2) The type of license sought and a brief description of the magnitude and nature of the contemplated operation; and

(3) A written statement from the county’s department of community development or other satisfactory proof that the contemplated operation conforms to the county’s zoning regulations.

(f) License Issuance. The animal control authority shall issue the license or renewal thereof if the license fee is paid, if the application meets the requirements of subsection (e) of this section, and if, upon inspection, the operation or contemplated operation meets or will meet the requirements of subsection (g), (h) or (i) of this section as appropriate. The license shall contain its date of expiration and shall be prominently displayed at the place of operation. For license renewals, the license applicant shall meet the above requirements no less than thirty calendar days prior to the date of expiration of the existing license.

As part of a commercial pet facility license, the licensee shall receive a license tag for each adult dog, adult cat, juvenile dog, and juvenile cat owned by the licensee or possessed by the licensee for resale. No further licensing is required for such pets. It is the responsibility of the licensee to transfer to the licensing agent the new owner information at the time of sale.

(g) Operation Requirements for Commercial Pet Facilities and Animal Welfare Facilities.

(1) Adequate food and water for each species, pursuant to Section 7.04.020(1), and proper habitat and medical attention, if needed, shall be provided during normal business hours and when the facilities are not open for business;

(2) Food shall be stored in a fashion that prevents contamination or infestation;

(3) The facilities shall be maintained and operated in a healthful and sanitary manner, free from disease, infestation, and foul odors;

(4) Sick animals shall be isolated from healthy ones in quarters adequately ventilated to prevent contamination of healthy animals;

(5) Sick or injured animals shall receive appropriate medical treatment by or under the auspices of a licensed veterinarian. Sick or injured animals shall not be sold, bartered, or otherwise transferred from a commercial pet facility to a new owner until the illness or injury is substantially healed, unless such transfer is to an animal welfare organization that assumed all responsibility for providing the appropriate medical treatment;

(6) Cats and dogs shall receive age-appropriate vaccines and anthelmintics;

(7) Medical records shall be maintained for all dogs and cats bred or obtained by the facility for a minimum of two years after the animal’s birth or acquisition. These records shall include documentation of all surgeries, known illnesses, medical treatments, medications administered, and the identity of the treating veterinarians or clinics. For dogs and cats acquired from other sources, the facility must maintain documentation of the name, organization, address, and contact information of that source. A dog’s or cat’s medical and acquisition records must be made available to all potential customers prior to sale of the animal, and to the animal control authority or the health district upon request.

(h) Facility and Individual Housing and Habitat Requirements for Commercial Pet Facilities and Animal Welfare Facilities.

(1) Indoor and outdoor animal housing facilities shall be in good repair, protect the animals from injury, and shall provide sufficient security to contain the animals while preventing entry by unwanted animals. Also, the habitat shall provide species-specific requirements including, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, and light.

(2) Indoor facilities shall:

(a) Provide the animal with adequate space for movement and ability to sit, lie, stand, and stretch without touching the sides or top of housing;

(b) Be heated or cooled to protect the animals from temperatures to which they are not acclimated;

(d) Have interior walls, ceilings, and floors that are sealed and are resistant to absorption of moisture or odors;

(e) Have flooring with a surface that can be sanitized and treated to minimize growth of harmful bacteria;

(f) Have a waste collection and removal system that facilitates cleaning and permits maintaining the facility in a sanitary condition; and

(g) Have available a washroom with sink for hot and cold running water.

(3) Outdoor facilities shall:

(a) Provide adequate shelter and protection from adverse weather;

(b) Provide sufficient room for adequate exercise and movement; and

(i) Have flooring with a surface that can be sanitized and treated to minimize growth of harmful bacteria;

(ii) Have a waste collection and removal system that facilitates cleaning and permits maintaining the facility in a sanitary condition; and

(iii) Have available a washroom with sink for hot and cold running water.

(i) Operation and Facility Requirements for Grooming Parlors. Grooming parlors shall:

(1) Not board animals;

(2) Provide restraining straps for animals to prevent injury while being groomed;

(3) Sterilize grooming equipment after each use;

(4) Not leave animals unattended when placed before a dryer;

(5) Not prescribe or administer treatment or medicine or otherwise engage in veterinary practice as defined in RCW 18.92.010;

(6) Not confine more than one animal in the same cage unless so requested by the owner of the animals;

(7) Be structurally sound and in good repair, designed to protect the animals from injury, and provide sufficient security to contain the animals while preventing entry by unwanted animals;

(8) Have grooming and animal containment areas with walls, ceilings and floors that are sealed and resistant to absorption of moisture and odors; and

(9) Be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.

(j) Inspections. The animal control authority shall inspect existing or proposed commercial pet facilities, animal welfare facilities, and grooming parlors in connection with its licensing investigation and when inspections are necessary to ensure compliance with this title. Such inspections shall be made during regular business hours.

(Ord. 575 (2019) § 2, 2020: Ord. 510 (2013) § 6, 2013: Ord. 266 (2002) § 5, 2002: Ord. 127-A (1999) § 6, 1999: Ord. 127 (1989) § 8, 1989)

7.08.050 Hobbyist.

(a) License Required. Hobbyists shall be licensed annually or within thirty calendar days of when the number of cats and/or dogs maintained at the same place or residence exceeds four adult cats and/or four adult dogs.

(b) License Expiration. Hobbyist licenses issued under this section shall expire one calendar year from the date of issuance.

(c) License Fee. License fees shall be established no more often than once annually by resolution of the board of county commissioners. This may occur concurrently with the contract with the animal control authority.

(e) License Application. An application for a hobbyist license shall be made to the animal control authority and shall contain the following:

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of applicant;

(2) A description of the uses to which the properties surrounding the proposed hobbyist facility are devoted; and

(3) The maximum number and breed of cats or dogs for which the license is sought.

(f) License Issuance. The animal control authority shall issue the license or renewal thereof if the license fee is paid, if the application meets the requirements of subsection (e) of this section and if the existing or proposed hobbyist facility is not unreasonably incompatible with the uses of property in the surrounding area, would not create a burdensome annoyance to those in the vicinity, and would not cause a significant risk to human or animal health. For license renewals, the license applicant shall meet the above requirements no less than thirty calendar days prior to the date of expiration of the existing license.

In the application of the foregoing standards, the animal control authority may consider such things as the layout and construction of the hobbyist facility including, but not limited to, setbacks, fencing, screening and soundproofing, as well as the number of animals, breed and risk to human or other animal health. A license may be issued subject to conditions in the nature of physical alterations and improvements if such would bring the hobbyist facility within the foregoing standards. As part of a hobbyist license, the licensee shall receive a license tag for each adult cat and adult dog, and each juvenile cat and juvenile dog owned by the licensee. No further licensing is required for such cats and/or dogs.

(g) Requirements for Hobbyists Participating in Breeding. Each hobbyist participating in breeding must:

(1) Provide verification of all age-appropriate vaccines and anthelmintics, with an agreement to accept back any animal found to be unhealthy or defective; provided, that the animal is examined by a licensed veterinarian within seventy-two hours of transferred ownership, and to provide a full refund for the cost of the unhealthy or defective animal;

(2) Maintain medical records for all dogs and cats bred or obtained by the facility for a minimum of two years after the animal’s birth or acquisition. These records shall include documentation of all surgeries, known illnesses, medical treatments, medications administered, and the identity of the treating veterinarians or clinics. For dogs and cats acquired from other sources, the facility must maintain documentation of the name, organization, address, and contact information of that source. A dog’s or cat’s medical and acquisition records must be made available to all potential customers prior to sale of the animal, and to the animal control authority or the health district upon request.

(3) Obtain no convictions for animal cruelty and/or neglect pursuant to Chapter 16.52 RCW;

(4) Refrain from engaging in the sale to the public of more than twenty cats, dogs, or combination thereof, during a consecutive twelve-month period;

(5) Advise new owner at time of sale of county licensing requirements.

(h) Operation and Facility Requirements for Hobbyists. Hobbyists shall:

(1) Provide adequate food and water, proper habitat and appropriate medical attention for each animal. Food shall be stored in a fashion that prevents contamination or infestation;

(2) Maintain and operate breeding facilities in a healthful and sanitary manner; and

(3) Meet all county licensing requirements.

(i) Limitation Upon Number of Cats and Dogs. No hobbyist shall have more than ten adult cats and/or dogs without the written consent of the animal control authority. A person desiring more than ten adult cats and/or dogs must seek permission therefor in writing from the animal control authority. In considering such a request, the animal control authority may consider the characteristics of the breed and the layout and surroundings of the hobbyist facility. Permission to have more than ten adult cats and/or dogs may be granted unless such increased number would make the hobbyist facility unreasonably incompatible with the uses of property in the surrounding area, and as long as the license applicant has met all of the requirements of subsections (e) through (h) of this section.

(j) Inspections. The animal control authority reserves the right to inspect the premises of a hobbyist facility during regular business hours upon receipt of a written complaint alleging that the hobbyist facility is out of compliance with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 575 (2019) § 3, 2020: Ord. 510 (2013) § 7, 2013: Ord. 266 (2002) § 6, 2002: Ord. 127-A (1999) § 7, 1999: Ord. 127 (1989) § 9, 1989)

7.08.060 Grooming parlors (Repealed)*.

* Editor’s Note: Section 7.08.060, Grooming Parlors, was repealed by Section 7 of Ordinance 266 (2002). Relevant provisions have now been incorporated into Section 7.08.040.

7.08.065 Enthusiast.

(a) License Required. Enthusiasts shall be licensed annually or within thirty calendar days of when the number of cats and/or dogs maintained at the same place or residence exceeds four adult cats and/or four adult dogs.

(b) License Expiration. Enthusiast licenses issued under this section shall expire one calendar year from the date of issuance.

(c) License Fee. No fee if licensed pursuant to the timelines established in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, except applicable service charge(s).

(e) License Application. An application for an enthusiast license shall be made to the animal control authority and shall contain the following:

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of applicant;

(2) A description of the uses to which the properties surrounding the proposed facility are devoted; and

(3) The maximum number of cats and/or dogs for which the license is sought.

(f) License Issuance. The animal control authority shall issue the license or renewal thereof if the license fee is paid, if the application meets the requirements of subsection (e) of this section, if all cats and/or dogs owned by applicant are licensed as required by Section 7.08.010, and if the existing or proposed enthusiast facility is not unreasonably incompatible with the uses of property in the surrounding area, would not create a burdensome annoyance to those in the vicinity, and would not cause a significant risk to human or animal health. For license renewals, the license applicant shall meet the above requirements no less than thirty calendar days prior to the date of expiration of the existing license.

In the application of the foregoing standards, the animal control authority may consider such things as the layout and construction of the enthusiast facility including, but not limited to, setbacks, fencing, screening and soundproofing, as well as the number of animals, breed, and risk to human or other animal health. A license may be issued subject to conditions in the nature of physical alterations and improvements if such would bring the enthusiast facility within the foregoing standards.

(g) Operation and Facility Requirements for Enthusiasts. Enthusiasts shall:

(1) Provide adequate food and water, proper habitat and appropriate medical attention for each animal. Food shall be stored in a fashion that prevents contamination or infestation;

(2) Maintain facilities in a healthful and sanitary manner;

(3) Alter all animals; and

(4) Meet all county licensing requirements.

(h) Limitation Upon Number of Cats and Dogs. No enthusiast shall have more than ten adult cats and/or dogs without the written consent of the animal control authority. A person desiring more than ten adult cats and/or dogs must seek permission therefor in writing from the animal control authority. In considering such a request, the animal control authority may consider the characteristics of the breed, and the layout and surroundings of the enthusiast facility. Permission to have more than ten spayed or neutered adult cats and/or dogs may be granted unless such increased number would make the enthusiast facility unreasonably incompatible with the uses of property in the surrounding area, and as long as the license applicant has met all of the requirements of subsections (e) through (g) of this section.

(i) Inspections. The animal control authority reserves the right to inspect the premises of an enthusiast facility during regular business hours upon receipt of a written complaint alleging that the enthusiast facility is out of compliance with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 510 (2013) § 8, 2013: Ord. 266 (2002) § 8, 2002)

7.08.070 Revocation of commercial pet facility, hobbyist, and enthusiast licenses.

(a) The animal control authority may revoke a commercial pet facility, hobbyist, or enthusiast license, under the following circumstances:

(1) An owner or operator has been found guilty of any criminal offense listed in Section 7.14.010;

(2) An owner or operator has been found to have committed two or more civil infractions listed in Section 7.14.030, during a single calendar year;

(3) The animal control authority has observed, documented, and provided written notification to the licensee, of an ongoing violation of an applicable license requirement in Section 7.08.040, 7.08.050 or 7.08.065, and the licensee has failed to cure that ongoing violation within ten days of receiving the notification; or

(4) The animal control authority has observed, documented, and provided written notification to the licensee of any violation of the applicable license requirement in Section 7.08.040, 7.08.050 or 7.08.065 (regardless of whether the violation is ongoing and curable), which the animal control authority reasonably believes presents a substantial risk to the health or safety of any animal.

(b) The animal control authority shall provide the licensee with a written decision describing the grounds for revoking the license, via certified mail sent to the licensee at the address contained in the most recent application. The revocation decision shall be final unless review is sought by filing an action in a court of competent jurisdiction within twenty days of the animal control authority’s decision.

(Ord. 575 (2019) § 4, 2020)