Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 6.09 Breeder Permits

Sections: 6.09.010 Breeder permit required. 6.09.020 Breeder permit—Standards. 6.09.030 Penalty for violation. 6.09.040 Severability.

A. No person shall cause or allow any dog owned, harbored, or kept within the jurisdiction of the city to breed with the intent to sell or transfer the offspring for money without first obtaining a breeder permit, in addition to an unaltered certification pursuant to Chapter 6.07 of this code. A breeder permit is written authorization, issued by city’s director of animal control or authorized designee, giving permission to breed a dog. The breeder permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed annually prior to the expiration date. Each applicant for a breeder permit shall pay an annual fee as prescribed by the city council and set forth in the fee schedule. Under no circumstances shall a breeder permit be issued to a person who has been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect.

B. The director of animal control shall establish procedures for and administer a breeder permit program to allow the responsible breeding of unaltered dogs. In addition to the procedures set forth by the director of animal control, breeder permit holders shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

1. Any breeder permit holder who advertises to the public the availability of any dog for sale, adoption, or transfer, whether for compensation or otherwise, must prominently display the breeder permit number in any such advertisement. Further, the breeder permit holder must provide the permit number to any person

who purchases, adopts, or receives any animal from the permit holder and include the permit number on any receipt of sale or transfer document.

2. Breeder permits will not be issued for animals under twelve months of age or over seven years of age.

3. Any breeder permit holder selling or otherwise transferring a dog, whether for compensation or
otherwise, shall maintain records for a period of three years containing the name, address, and telephone
number of the animal’s new owner on a form approved by the director of animal control.

4. Any breeder permit holder which sells or otherwise transfers a dog, whether for compensation or
otherwise, shall provide to the new animal owner written information regarding the license and permit
requirements of the city; and all puppies must be microchipped or have some other form of identification
acceptable to the director of animal control and shall be licensed by city. (Ord. 5149 § 1, 2023)

A. Breeder permit holders shall:

1. Allow inspection, upon forty-eight hours’ written notice, of any animal covered by the permit or premises
on which the animal is kept;

2. Comply with all city municipal codes relating to the keeping, care or use of any animal;

3. Comply with state health or safety law or regulation regarding animal care or control;

4. Comply with any condition or requirement of the permit;

5. Properly house and care for their dog(s) as follows:

a. Provide sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water;

b. Provide shelter that will allow the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down without lying in his/
her feces;

c. Keep the area where the dog is kept clean;

d. Fully contain their dog(s) on the owner’s property and provide appropriate exercise. (Ord. 5149 § 1,
2023)

A. Any dog owner in violation of the breeder permit provisions of this chapter is subject to the following penalties:

1. First-time violators will receive a correction notice detailing the particular violations. Violators will have
thirty days from the date when the owner was first notified of the violation to correct the violations.

2. Second and subsequent violations of this chapter will be punished in accordance with Chapter 1.40 of
this code. (Ord. 5149 § 1, 2023)

The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any section, paragraph, sentence, phrase, or word of this chapter is declared invalid for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other portion of this chapter, which shall remain in full force and effect. (Ord. 5149 § 1, 2023)