CHAPTER 4
ANIMAL LICENSES
SECTION:
5-4-1: Required Age For Licensing And Penalty For Violation
5-4-5: When Provisions Nonapplicable
5-4-1 REQUIRED AGE FOR LICENSING AND PENALTY FOR VIOLATION:
A. It shall be unlawful to own or keep a dog or cat of more than four (4) months of age within the City unless the owner or custodian thereof shall have a valid animal license for each such animal.
B. A violation of this section shall constitute a civil infraction punishable as set forth in Section 1-3-1 of this code. (Ord. 3773, 12-19-83, eff. 1-1-84; amd. Ord. 4916, 9-10-01; Ord. 5508, 11-23-09, eff. 1-1-10; Ord. 5831, 1-23-17)
5-4-2 LICENSE FEES; SPECIAL RATES FOR ECONOMICALLY QUALIFIED RESIDENTS; AND EXEMPTION FOR DOG GUIDES:
A. Every owner of a dog or cat shall apply and pay for a City animal license within thirty (30) days of acquiring the animal and pay to renew such license on or before the expiration date of the license. The City may issue licenses that are valid for such duration set forth in this Chapter or in the City of Renton Fee Schedule Brochure.
B. Economically Qualified Residents: a special lifetime animal license. For the purpose of this subsection, Economically Qualified Residents are defined to include only: (1) low-income senior or disabled residents who are receiving discounted water utility rates pursuant to RMC 8-4-31 and (2) low-income senior or disabled residents who would be qualified for discounted water utility rates pursuant to RMC 8-4-31, but do not have a separate water utility account with the City. Any Economically Qualified resident shall be limited to no more than three (3) special lifetime animal licenses for any combination of three (3) cats and dogs for which they are the registered owners.
C. Owners or custodians of dog guides may request and receive an exemption from payment of licenses fees for such dog guides to the extent such waiver is required by RCW 49.60.380 or other applicable state law. (Ord. 5736, 11-3-14)
D. In the event the owner or custodian of a dog or cat fails to timely apply and pay for a required license, a late charge shall be added to the regular license fee as set forth in the City of Renton Fee Schedule Brochure. The City may require reasonable evidence to determine the date of acquisition or custody of any such dog or cat to ascertain whether a late charge shall be imposed. (Ord. 5547, 8-9-2010; Ord. 5654, 2-13-2012)
E. The Finance Administrator may impose such additional regulations and procedures as may be reasonable to carry out the provisions of this Chapter. (Ord. 3773, 12-19-83, eff. 1-1-84; amd. Ord. 5508, 11-23-09, eff. 1-1-10; Ord. 5547, 8-9-2010; Ord. 5654, 2-13-2012; Ord. 5848, 7-10-17)
5-4-3 APPLICATION; TAG:
Said license shall be obtained by making application to the Finance Administrator, or as otherwise provided for herein, upon forms approved and provided by the Finance Administrator and upon payment of the required fee; thereupon the license tag, in such form as may be approved by the Finance Administrator, will be issued to the applicant and said tag shall be attached firmly and securely to the collar worn at all times by the dog so licensed. In the event such tag has been lost or stolen, then the owner or custodian of such dog shall make prompt application unto the Finance Administrator for a duplicate tag and such duplicate tag shall be issued by the Finance Administrator upon payment of a duplicate tag fee. (Amd. Ord. 4806, 10-25-99, eff. 1-1-00; Ord. 5508, 11-23-09, eff. 1-1-10; Ord. 5547, 8-9-2010; Ord. 5654, 2-13-2012)
5-4-4 DEFINITIONS:
For the purpose of this Chapter, “owner” shall mean any person, firm or corporation owning, having an interest in, right of possession to, control, custody or possession of such an animal. (Amd. Ord. 5508, 11-23-09, eff. 1-1-10)
5-4-5 WHEN PROVISIONS NONAPPLICABLE:
The provisions relating to the licensing of animals shall not apply to such animals in the temporary custody of a veterinarian, or whose owners are bona fide nonresidents temporarily residing or visiting within the City. (Ord. 3773, 12-19-83, eff. 1-1-84; amd. Ord. 5508, 11-23-09, eff. 1-1-10)
5-4-6 ADDITIONAL ANIMALS:
The keeping of additional animals may be allowed pursuant to RMC 4-9-100. Application shall be made to the Development Services Division. Upon approval of the issuance of an Additional Animals Permit by the Development Services Director, the Finance Administrator shall be authorized to issue a license to keep additional animals to the applicant. The Additional Animals Permit shall be renewed annually upon payment of the required renewal fee and provided Animal Control and/or the Development Services Division has not revoked the permit, pursuant to RMC 4-9-100I. The first-year license fee shall be waived for those who receive an Additional Animals Permit. (Ord. 5356, 2-25-08, eff. 3-6-08; amd. Ord. 5470, 7-13-09; Ord. 5508, 11-23-09, eff. 1-1-10; Ord. 5547, 8-9-2010; Ord. 5654, 2-13-2012)