Chapter 6.20
ANIMAL LICENSES
Sections:
6.20.020 Authority and enforcement.
6.20.030 Penalties – Infraction unless otherwise designated.
6.20.040 Licensing of animals.
6.20.070 Licensing procedure – Tags.
6.20.010 Licensing program.
The animal licensing program is established to administer animal licensing requirements of the City of Mountlake Terrace. Requirements of said program are established by this chapter. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.020 Authority and enforcement.
A. The Administrative Services Director is responsible for carrying out the City’s animal licensing program pursuant to this chapter.
B. Any person failing to obtain, under this chapter, a license for an animal shall be in violation of this code. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.030 Penalties – Infraction unless otherwise designated.
A violation of any provision of this chapter, unless otherwise designated herein, shall constitute a Class I civil infraction pursuant to Chapter 7.80 RCW. Issuance and disposition of infractions issued for violations of this chapter shall be in accordance with Chapter 7.80 RCW. The penalty for violation of a provision of this chapter may be set by resolution; provided, however, that a fourth and subsequent violation(s) of animal running at large in the City shall be a misdemeanor offense. Upon conviction, such person shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.040 Licensing of animals.
It shall be a civil violation for any person, firm or corporation to own, possess, or harbor any cat, dog, goat, horse, or pig over the age of three months within the City of Mountlake Terrace unless said person, firm, or corporation shall have first procured a license for such animal and paid the current fee as provided by resolution. Anyone acquiring an animal which requires a license shall apply for same within 30 days of acquisition of said animal. The license fees shall not apply to animals requiring a license owned by nonresidents temporarily within the City for a period of not more than 30 days. A license is only valid for the term that is granted and must be renewed annually as provided for in MTMC 6.20.080. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.050 Special requirements – Certificate of registration – Dangerous or potentially dangerous dog.
In addition to any license required under the provisions of this chapter, the owner(s) of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs must obtain a City of Mountlake Terrace (potentially) dangerous dog certificate of registration within 10 days of service upon an owner of a final determination that an animal is a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog under this title. The owner shall apply for such certificate upon form(s) supplied by the City Clerk, such certificate shall be issued upon payment by the owner of an annual fee of $125.00 to the City of Mountlake Terrace, which shall not be prorated for any part of the year, and upon certification by the animal control authority that the owner is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $5,000 or by 365 days in jail, or both such fine and jail. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.060 Inoculations.
Prior to the issuance of animal licenses, the City may require that the animal to be licensed has received inoculations deemed necessary by a licensed veterinarian for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Mountlake Terrace. Proof of aforesaid inoculations shall be made by certification of a licensed veterinarian. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.070 Licensing procedure – Tags.
It shall be the duty of the Administrative Services Director, or such person as the City Manager may appoint, to issue licenses to persons applying therefor, upon the first payment of the license fee. Upon issuance of a license, a permanent tag with numbers corresponding to the numbers of the application shall be furnished the applicant, who shall cause the same to be attached or affixed to the animal licensed. Tags shall not be transferable from one animal to another. The license tag issued shall be valid in subsequent years for the animal for which it was issued; provided, that the license is renewed annually as provided for in MTMC 6.20.080. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.080 License renewal.
All licenses and certificates of registration granted under this chapter shall be renewable annually for a term of one year from issuance, expiring on the last day of the twelfth month. There is no proration of any license fees. Renewal licenses shall retain the original expiration period whether renewed before, on or after their respective renewal months. (Ord. 2773 § 1, 2020; Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.090 Fee schedules.
A fee shall be imposed for animal licenses, boarding, impounds, and other related services. A fee schedule shall be established by resolution to recover the costs or portion thereof of animal control, boarding, impound, or other service fees for services that originate within the boundaries of the City of Mountlake Terrace regardless of where the services may be provided. Those services may be provided by the City, other governmental agencies or private businesses through agreements made with the City of Mountlake Terrace. (Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).
6.20.100 Fee adjustments.
Fees for animal licenses or services as set by resolution shall be adjusted periodically as needed by resolution. (Ord. 2773 § 2, 2020; Ord. 2547 § 2, 2010).