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Maximum Number of Pets
Pet or companion animal. Any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility; an animal of a species that has been bred and raised to live in or about the habitation of humans and is dependent on people for food and shelter. The term specifically includes, but is not limited to, domesticated dogs, domesticated cats, canaries, parakeets, parrots, cockatiels and other birds commonly maintained in households in cages, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits and nutria. For purposes of this ordinance, neither "livestock" nor "fowl" as defined herein shall be considered pets or companion animals.
Section 2.103 Maximum number of pets; multiple pet permits.
Section 2.103.1 Except as specifically authorized herein, a person commits an offense if he owns or harbors, on the premises of a single residence within the City, more than five (5) pets or companion animals, as defined herein, in any combination. A person commits an offense if he owns or harbors, on the premises of a single residence within the City, in addition to the permissible number of pets or companion animals, more than one (1) litter of pets or companion animals at any given time.
Section 2.103.2 It is an exception to prosecution under this section if the owner has been issued and possesses a valid permit, issued by the Animal Control Authority, authorizing the owner to keep or harbor pets or companion animals in numbers greater than provided in Section 2.103.1 and the owner has not exceeded the permitted number of animals thereunder.
Section 2.103.3 A person desiring to keep more than five (5) pets or companion animals in any combination on the premises of a single residence shall apply to the Animal Control Authority for a multiple pet permit.
Section 2.103.4 The issuance of a multiple pet permit shall be within the discretion of the Animal Control Authority and, under no circumstances, shall a permit be issued for the keeping, on the premises of a single residence within the City, of more than ten (10) pets or companion animals in any combination. Under no circumstances shall a permit be issued for the keeping, on the premises of a single residence within the City, of more than three (3) litters of pets or companion animals at any given time.
Section 2.103.5 The Animal Control Authority shall be authorized to require the following in connection with the application for a multiple pet permit; however, nothing herein shall be construed to require the Animal Control Authority to issue a multiple pet permit and the discretion for issuance of such permit shall rest solely with the Animal Control Authority.
Section 2.103.7 Multiple pet permits are issued to specific owners of animals and for the specific premises identified therein. An application for a new multiple pet permit will be required if:
Section 2.103 Maximum number of pets; multiple pet permits.
Section 2.103.1 Except as specifically authorized herein, a person commits an offense if he owns or harbors, on the premises of a single residence within the City, more than five (5) pets or companion animals, as defined herein, in any combination. A person commits an offense if he owns or harbors, on the premises of a single residence within the City, in addition to the permissible number of pets or companion animals, more than one (1) litter of pets or companion animals at any given time.
Section 2.103.2 It is an exception to prosecution under this section if the owner has been issued and possesses a valid permit, issued by the Animal Control Authority, authorizing the owner to keep or harbor pets or companion animals in numbers greater than provided in Section 2.103.1 and the owner has not exceeded the permitted number of animals thereunder.
Section 2.103.3 A person desiring to keep more than five (5) pets or companion animals in any combination on the premises of a single residence shall apply to the Animal Control Authority for a multiple pet permit.
Section 2.103.4 The issuance of a multiple pet permit shall be within the discretion of the Animal Control Authority and, under no circumstances, shall a permit be issued for the keeping, on the premises of a single residence within the City, of more than ten (10) pets or companion animals in any combination. Under no circumstances shall a permit be issued for the keeping, on the premises of a single residence within the City, of more than three (3) litters of pets or companion animals at any given time.
Section 2.103.5 The Animal Control Authority shall be authorized to require the following in connection with the application for a multiple pet permit; however, nothing herein shall be construed to require the Animal Control Authority to issue a multiple pet permit and the discretion for issuance of such permit shall rest solely with the Animal Control Authority.
- a) the applicant must provide the complete address of the residence for which the multiple pet permit is made;
- b) the applicant must provide the Animal Control Authority with full information concerning the breed, gender and number of animals requested to be kept on the premises of the single residence;
- c) the applicant, or any member of the applicant’s household, must not have been charged with any animal control violation in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of the application;
- d) the applicant must permit the Animal Control Authority, upon reasonable notice, full access to the residence and premises for the purpose of physical inspection of the premises;
- e) the Animal Control Authority shall have the right to interview occupants of all immediately adjacent properties in connection with the request for issuance of a multi-pet permit;
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f) the premises must meet, both upon initial inspection and upon any subsequent inspection, the following minimum criteria:
- Facilities shall be of sufficient size as to allow each animal to move about freely. Size of the facility shall be in proportion to the size of each individual animal’s height and weight.
- Adequate food and water must be provided so that all animals kept shall be maintained in good health and free of malnutrition and or dehydration.
- The premises shall be kept in a sanitary condition and reasonably free of animal waste, parasites, insects, and flies that could be harmful to the animal’s health and or to the health of the general public.
- The animals and the facility must be kept free of odor or stench so as to avoid offense to a person of ordinary sensibilities.
- The animals must be maintained in a manner that does not pose a danger to the health of the animals themselves or adjacent animals.
- The animals must not cause noise that is offensive or disturbing to a person of ordinary sensibilities on adjoining or adjacent premises.
- All animals must be duly vaccinated and exhibiting vaccination tags.
Section 2.103.7 Multiple pet permits are issued to specific owners of animals and for the specific premises identified therein. An application for a new multiple pet permit will be required if:
- a) the original permitee moves to a new residence within the City and proposes to move to that new residence more than five (5) adult dogs, cats or combination thereof or more than one (1) litter of puppies or kittens; or
- b) ownership of the permitted premises changes and the new property owners propose to keep or maintain on the property more than five (5) adult dogs, cats or combination thereof or more than one (1) litter of puppies or kittens at the new residence.