§ 6.04.080. Dog permits.

A.

Except as permitted by this section, and other than legal uses in existence upon enactment of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to own or possess more than six dogs which are over the age of four months on any lot, premises, dwelling, building, structure, vessel, or living accommodation.

B.

Dog hobbyist and ranch dog owner permits. Every dog hobbyist and ranch dog owner shall obtain a permit from the animal regulation unit. The supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) may issue a dog hobbyist or ranch dog permit upon the receipt of an application and payment of a fee. The supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) may issue a dog hobbyist permit or ranch dog permit subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined to be appropriate, including but not limited to, proof of current rabies vaccination for each dog, the number of dogs which may be permitted, and such other terms and conditions as may be necessary to provide for the humane care and treatment of the dogs covered by the permit. The permit period shall be for one year. Issuance of a dog hobbyist or ranch dog owner permit does not exempt the holder thereof from any applicable zoning, use permit, building, or other land use requirements or restrictions which may apply pursuant to law. It is unlawful for a dog hobbyist or ranch dog owner to not have a valid and current permit.

C.

Non-commercial dog sanctuary permit. It is unlawful for any person to operate or maintain a non-commercial dog sanctuary without first obtaining a valid current permit therefor. The supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) may issue a non-commercial dog sanctuary permit upon receipt of an application and payment of a fee. The supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) may issue the permit subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined to be appropriate, including but not limited to, proof of current rabies vaccination for each dog, the number of dogs which may be permitted, and such other terms and conditions as may be necessary to provide for the humane care and treatment of the dogs covered by the permit. The permit period shall be for one year. Issuance of a non-commercial dog sanctuary permit does not exempt the holder thereof from any applicable zoning, use permit, building, or other land use requirements or restrictions which may apply pursuant to law.

D.

Commercial animal establishment permit. It is unlawful for any person to operate or maintain a commercial animal establishment without first obtaining a valid current permit therefor. The supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) may issue a commercial animal establishment permit upon receipt of an application and payment of a fee. The supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) may issue the permit subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined to be appropriate, including but not limited to, proof of current rabies vaccination, the number of animals which may be permitted, and such other terms and conditions as may be necessary to provide for the humane care and treatment of the animals covered by the permit. The permit period shall be for one year. Issuance of a commercial animal establishment permit does not exempt the holder thereof from any applicable zoning, use permit, building, or other land use requirements or restrictions which may apply pursuant to law.

E.

No permit issued pursuant to this section shall be granted for the purpose of breeding, keeping, or training dogs or other animals for use in fighting events.

F.

Any permit issued pursuant to this section may be revoked by the supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) under any of the following circumstances:

1.

The permit holder has been convicted of any violation of this chapter or any law pertaining to the care of animals,

2.

The permit holder is in violation of any zoning, health and safety, land use, or building laws relating to the keeping of animals or relating to the site where the dogs are kept,

3.

The permit holder has been determined pursuant to section 6.04.040 to own or possess a potentially dangerous of vicious dog, or

4.

The permit holder has violated a term or condition of the permit.

G.

An applicant for a permit or a permit holder may appeal to the sheriff any determination made by the supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit (or, subject to the terms and conditions of the county's contract with the contract agency, made by the chief executive officer of the contract agency or his/her designee) regarding the issuance, revocation, or terms and conditions of a permit issued pursuant to this section. The decision of the sheriff shall be final. (Ord. 98-9 § 1 (part), 1998)

(Ord. No. 2011-02, § 1, 7-19-2011)