Culver City Municipal Code Ch. 9.01 Animals and Fowl

General Provisions

Dogs

Cats

Adoption by Reference of Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code - “Animals”

Declawing of Animals

Abatement of Animal Public Nuisance

Sale and Use of Glue Traps Prohibited

Cross-reference:

Animals in parks prohibited, see § 9.10.055

Off-Leash Dog Park, see §§ 9.10.400 and 9.10.405

GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine, only, as set forth in § 1.01.045 of this Code, except where otherwise expressly provided in this Chapter that a violation may be charged as a misdemeanor.

B. Any violation which would otherwise be an infraction is a misdemeanor if a defendant has been convicted of three or more violations of this Chapter within the 12-month period immediately preceding the violation and such prior convictions are admitted by the defendant or alleged in the accusatory pleading. For this purpose, a bail forfeiture shall be deemed to be a conviction of the offense charged.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

Whenever in this Chapter the following terms are used, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them, unless it is apparent from the context thereof that some other meaning is intended:

ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER. The field officer(s) responsible for enforcement of City municipal codes, County ordinances and state Laws, governing the care and keeping of domestic and non-domesticated animals in the City of Culver City.

CAT. A feline of any age or gender.

DOG. A canine of any age or gender.

DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Any horse, pony, mule, jack, jenny, cow, bull, calf, heifer, sheep, goat, swine, rabbit, as well as any livestock and any other domesticated animal other than a household pet.

HOUSEHOLD PET. Any cat, dog, canary, parrot and any other animal and bird usually and ordinarily kept as a household pet, excluding any animal, fowl or reptile prohibited by California Fish and Wildlife per California Code of Regulations Title 14, § 671.

PERSON. Any natural person, individual or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other group or combination of individuals and/or groups acting as an entity.

POLICE CHIEF. The Culver City Chief of Police or designee.

POULTRY and DOMESTIC FOWL. Any pigeon, chicken, duck, goose, turkey and all other domesticated fowl other than a household pet.

UNLICENSED DOG. Any dog over four months of age for which the license for the current year has not been paid, or to which the tag for the current year provided for in this Chapter is not attached.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain, or have in possession or under control, any animals, fowl or reptiles, other than household pets, in the City, without having applied for and received a permit as hereinafter provided, which permit shall be revocable at any time it is made to appear to the Culver City Animal Services Officer that the keeping of such animals, fowl or reptiles is, or may become, detrimental to the public health, safety, and/or general welfare.

B. Each duly licensed pet or animal shop, establishment or business shall be excluded from Subsection A of this Section except to the extent that any such business shall be required annually to obtain and maintain in force a single permit for the keeping of animals, fowls, or reptiles, other than household pets. Such permit shall be issued by the County of Los Angeles under Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code. This provision shall not be construed to apply to any person, corporation or business entity other than those legally engaged in the purchase and sale of animals, fowl or reptiles to the general public.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, no person shall keep or permit to be kept on any or in any lot, building, structure or premises more than three dogs over the age of four months or more than three cats over the age of four months, without first having applied for and received a permit as provided herein.

B. For purposes of this section, a service dog as defined in Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and serving a person who is disabled within the meaning of the ADA or Government Code § 12926 is not counted toward the number of dogs kept or maintained.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. Application for permit.

1. All applications for permits to keep animals, fowl or reptiles shall be filed with the City Clerk, shall be accompanied by a fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and shall state the number and kind of animals, fowl or reptiles as well as such other information required by the Animal Services Division. Signatures of at least one adult resident of each dwelling or apartment unit within a radius of 200 feet, indicating approval or disapproval, shall be appended to such applications. Upon receipt of a complete application, the Animal Services Officer shall conduct an investigation and complete a report.

2. Upon completion of any investigation, the Animal Services Division shall cause notices to be posted within a radius of 200 feet from the address wherein said animals, fowl or reptiles are proposed to be kept, and not more than 50 feet apart. Permit will be granted providing no written objections are filed within 10 days of posting, unless the City's Animal Services Division finds that denial of the permit is in the interest of the public's health, safety and welfare. Written notice of denial of a permit shall be provided to the applicant.

B. Appeal to Police Chief. In the event of the denial of an application, the applicant may appeal to the Police Chief by filing with the City Clerk a written request for review within 10 days from receipt of a notice of denial. Upon receipt of a timely request for review, the Chief of Police shall review the written grounds for appeal and the City's own records of the circumstances of the denial of the permit. The Chief of Police may uphold the denial of the permit, or grant such permit, if he or she determines that the denial is not warranted under a totality of the circumstances and that the keeping of the animal is not detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the community. Such determination shall be made within 30 days from the date of the filing of the appeal. A written notice of the decision shall be sent by first class mail to the appellant within 10 days of the date of the decision. The action of the Chief of Police under this section shall be final and conclusive.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to permit the transfer, disposal or otherwise surrendering of any live animal obtained from within the City to any research institution, person or other agency for experimentation, whether medical in nature or otherwise. It shall be unlawful for any person having the care, custody or possession of such animal to willfully permit the violation of this Section.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any rabbits, fowl, or birds (other than canaries, parrots or similar species), within 35 feet of any food establishment, school, church, hospital or any residence or dwelling house, apartment or hotel, or other building or structure occupied for any purpose by human beings. Nor shall any animal or fowl be kept in any sandwich packing or box lunch establishment, bakery, restaurant or lunch stand or within 35 feet of any door, window, ventilator or air shaft of such places, except as otherwise provided by state or local law.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep bees, or an apiary, unless a permit has been obtained from the Animal Services Division as set forth in § 9.01.025 herein. Nothing shall be construed herein to prohibit the keeping of bees in a hive or box located within a school house for the purpose of study or observation.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. No person shall use the public streets, alleys, or other public places of the City, or any portion thereof, as a bridle or equestrian path, or shall ride or cause to be driven any horse thereon, or shall drive any loose cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats or swine, in, upon, or along any such streets, alleys or public places, except for the Police Department, on duty law enforcement or other public safety personnel.

B. The Chief of Police may designate, by legible signs, street crossings and other locations over which horses may be ridden to allow ingress or egress to and from bridle paths. He may also issue temporary permits for the purpose of transporting horses, cattle, or other animals, from one location to another inside or outside the boundaries of the City, such permit to designate streets to be utilized with least danger or inconvenience to the public.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or manage any riding academy business, unless a permit has been obtained in the manner required for the obtaining of permits from the City generally.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

In the event of inconsistencies between this Chapter 9.01 and the adopted provisions of Los Angeles County Code Title 10 (Animals), the provisions in this Chapter 9.01 shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

DOGS

It shall be unlawful for any person to have, harbor, keep, to permit to be harbored or kept, any unlicensed dog in the City, over the age of four months.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. License fee. There shall be an annual dog license fee. The amount, time of payment, prorating schedule, if any, and penalty for late payment, if any, of said fee shall be established by resolution of the City Council.

B. Exemptions. The license fees established by Subsection A. of this Section shall not apply to any individual who qualifies for an exemption as established by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

Any person keeping or harboring any dog for 15 consecutive days shall be deemed to be the owner thereof within the meaning of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

The license provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the following:

A. Any dog found within the City when the owner thereof resides in any other municipality within the County or within the unincorporated area of the County and such dog is wearing or has attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by such municipality or County.

B. Any dog owned by or in charge of any person who is a non-resident of the City and is traveling through the City or temporarily sojourning therein for a period of not exceeding 30 days.

C. Any dog brought into the City and kept therein for not to exceed 30 days for the exclusive purpose of entering the same in any bench show or dog exhibition or field trials or competition.

D. Any dog brought or sent into the City from any point outside thereof for the exclusive purpose of receiving veterinary care in any dog hospital, in the event that such dog is kept at all times strictly confined within such hospital.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. Manner of affixing. The numbered license tag marked with "Culver City Animal License" required hereunder shall be securely affixed to a collar, harness, or other device which shall at all times be worn by each dog except while such dog remains indoors or in any enclosed yard or pen.

B. Duplicate tags. In the event any license tag for a dog is lost or destroyed, a duplicate thereof may be procured from the agency designated by the City upon the submission to such agency of such proof as he may require and upon the payment therefor of the fee as set forth by resolution of the City Council.

C. Counterfeit tags prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to attach to any dog a counterfeit or fraudulent tag in lieu of the tag required and issued under the provisions of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

It shall be unlawful or any person to fail or refuse to exhibit any dog, certificate, license or tag when requested so to do by the person authorized to enforce the provisions of this Chapter, in the event that the same are possessed by such person.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

No person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit or allow the same to be loose on private premises, except if such premises are enclosed in such a manner as to adequately confine said dog. Electric invisible fences and/or verbal command control are not sufficient to meet the provisions of this Section.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of a dog in the City to cause, permit or allow the same to be or to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, sidewalk, median, parkway, court or other public place, or upon any private property or premises other than those of the person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dog, unless that dog be restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length, and is in the control of a competent person.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

CATS

Every person owning or having custody or control of any cat over the age of four months in the City may obtain, on a voluntary basis, a City license for each of such cats. If such license is obtained, all required license fees shall be paid as set forth in § 9.01.405 of this Subchapter. The numbered license tag will be marked with "Culver City Animal License."

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. License fee. There shall be a voluntary annual cat license fee. The amount, time of payment, prorating schedule, if any, and penalty for late payment, if any, of said fee shall be established by resolution of the City Council.

B. Term. Every license and tag issued pursuant to this Subchapter shall be for the period of 12 months, beginning on the first day of the month in which the animal is licensed, and continuing until the last day of the month 12 months thereafter.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

Any person keeping or harboring any cat for 15 consecutive days shall be deemed to be the owner thereof within the meaning of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

ADOPTION BY REFERENCE OF TITLE 10 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE - "ANIMALS"

A. The City of Culver City hereby adopts by reference Divisions 1, 2 and 3 of Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code, "Animals," encompassing §§ 10.04.010 through 10.90.010, inclusive, dated October 6, 2016, with certain amendments, additions, deletions and exceptions. The provisions of the Los Angeles County Code Title 10, as indicated above, shall be applicable in the City and referred to, together with this Chapter 9.01, as the "Animal Ordinance of the City of Culver City."

B. A copy of the Los Angeles County Code, Title 10 shall be available for public inspection in the City Clerk's office and in the Animal Services Division of the Culver City Police Department.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

The Los Angeles County Code Title 10 is hereby amended as follows:

A. Section 10.08.100 "Department" is hereby amended to mean the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control, or where applicable, the Culver City Police Department, Division of Animal Services.

B. Section 10.08.110 "Director" is hereby amended to mean the Director of the Department of Animal Care and Control, or, where applicable, the Culver City Animal Services Officer.

C. Section 10.20.010 is hereby deleted.

D. Section 10.20.030 is hereby deleted.

E. Section 10.20.038 is hereby deleted.

F. Section 10.20.045 is hereby deleted.

G. Section 10.20.050 is hereby deleted.

H. Section 10.20.185 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Microchipping of dogs required. A dog four months or older must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The owner or custodian is required to provide the microchip number to the City and to the applicable national microchip registry of a change of ownership of the dog, or the owner's change of address or telephone number.

I. Section 10.20.190 is hereby deleted.

J. Section 10.20.220 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Vaccination Requirements. A person keeping or harboring a dog over four months of age in the City must have the dog vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian on or before 15 days after the dog turns four months old.

K. Section 10.20.350 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Mandatory Spaying or Neutering of Dogs.

1. A person may not own, keep, or harbor a dog four months or older in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must meet one of the criteria set forth in Section 10.20.355 (Unaltered Dog License Requirements) and pay the fee established by City Council resolution.

2. The owner or custodian of a dog that cannot be spayed or neutered without a likelihood of serious bodily harm or death due to age or illness must obtain written confirmation from a licensed veterinarian. The confirmation must also state when the dog may be safely spayed or neutered. If the dog cannot be spayed or neutered within 30 days of the issuance of the written confirmation of a likelihood of serious bodily harm or death, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog or cat license.

L. Section 10.20.357 is hereby deleted.

M. Section 10.32.010 is hereby deleted.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

DECLAWING OF ANIMALS

A. No person, licensed medical professional or otherwise, shall perform or cause to be performed an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure by any means on any animal within the City, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose. THERAPEUTIC PURPOSE means the necessity to address the medical condition of the animal, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition in the claw that compromises the animal's health. THERAPEUTIC PURPOSE does not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal. In the event that an onychectomy or flexor tendonectomy procedure is performed on any animal within the City in violation of this Section, each of the following persons shall be guilty of a violation of this Section:

• 1. The person or persons performing the procedure;
• 2. All persons assisting in the physical performance of the procedure; and
• 3. The animal guardian that ordered or requested the procedure.

B. Any violation of this Section shall constitute a misdemeanor. However, at the discretion of the City Attorney, any violation may be prosecuted as an infraction.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

ABATEMENT OF ANIMAL PUBLIC NUISANCES

The disturbance caused by excessive, unrelenting or habitual noise of any animal is disruptive of the public's peace and tranquility and represents an unwanted invasion of privacy of the residents of the City and a public nuisance. It is declared to be in the public interest to promote the health and welfare of the residents of the City by providing an administrative proceeding for the abatement of such nuisances.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

For the purpose of this Subchapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given herein:

ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER. That person or designee who is authorized by the City Manager to hear testimony from witnesses including complainants, peace officers, Animal Services Officers or other parties including the owner or person having charge, custody or control of the animal allegedly causing the nuisance, to determine whether the maintenance of the animal is a public nuisance and to order the abatement of such nuisance by taking such actions as set forth in this Chapter.

COMPLAINING PARTY. That person or those persons who contact the Culver City Animal Services Division to report a noisy animal or noisy animals.

DECLARANT. That person or those persons who contact the Culver City Animal Services Division to report a noisy animal or noisy animals and complete the Declaration of Animal Public Nuisance Form.

NOISY ANIMAL. Any animal or animals maintained on the same premises or location whose excessive, unrelenting or habitual barking, howling, crying, whining or making other sounds common to their species annoy or become offensive to a resident or residents in the vicinity thereby, disturbing the peace of the neighborhood or causing excessive discomfort to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity hearing such sounds.

RESPONSIBLE PARTY. That person or those persons in charge of the premises or location where any noisy animal is located and may include any of the following:

• 1. The person or persons who own the property where the noisy animal is located;
• 2. The person or persons in charge of the premises where the noisy animal is located;
• 3. The person or persons occupying the premises where the noisy animal is located;
• 4. The owner of the noisy animal.

If any of those persons are minors, the parent or parents or a guardian of such minor shall be the responsible party.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person owning, keeping, harboring or having in his or her care, custody or control any animal, to cause or suffer, or permit to be made or caused by such animal, barking, howling, crying or making of any noises or other sounds common to their species, so as to annoy and become offensive to a resident or residents in the vicinity in which the animal is kept, thereby disturbing the peace of the neighborhood or causing excessive discomfort to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the area, unless such noise or sound is made by an official police dog while on duty.

B. If, in violation of the provisions of this Subchapter, any person who owns, maintains, harbors, keeps or has any animal which persistently emits any noises or sounds in such manner as to annoy and become offensive to a resident or residents in the vicinity in which the animal is kept, the maintenance of such animal may be declared a public nuisance by the Animal Services Division by written notice to the owner or person in charge, custody or control of the animal. If after the issuance of such notice, the person owning, keeping, harboring or having in such person's care or custody any animal has not abated the noise, such person shall be subject to enforcement of the provisions of this Code.

C. It is unlawful for the responsible party, after being informed in writing that such person's animal has been declared a noisy animal and that the maintenance of a noisy animal is a public nuisance, to fail, refuse or neglect to take whatever steps or use whatever means are necessary to assure that such animal does not again disturb residents in the vicinity in which the animal is kept.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. When an Animal Services Officer is notified or alerted of a possible animal which may constitute a nuisance and has personally confirmed the existence of a potential nuisance, or has received a written complaint under penalty of perjury of such noisy animal signed by the complaining party, the Animal Services Officer shall issue an Initial Warning - Animal Nuisance Complaint Notice to the responsible party. Such notice shall specify that the continued barking, howling or other noise or sounds of such animal is in violation of this Code and that the animal noise must be abated forthwith to avoid further enforcement action. Such notice shall be served upon the responsible party or, if such service cannot be safely made, posted at the premises upon which the animal is located. A copy of the Initial Warning Animal Nuisance Complaint Notice shall be filed with the Culver City Animal Services Division. The Culver City Animal Services Officer shall, within 10 days of the issuance of said warning notice, make a reasonable attempt to speak personally or by telephone with the responsible party concerning the matter, including what efforts have been made to abate the nuisance. If no one is available at the time of the visit, a warning notice and educational materials will be issued. The responsible party will be granted a 10-day period to resolve the issue.

B. If within 10 days of the issuance of the Initial Warning Animal Nuisance Complaint Notice, the Culver City Animal Services Division determines that the barking, howling or other sound or cry was provoked or that such barking, howling or other sound or cry was not excessive, unrelenting or habitual, the Culver City Animal Services Division shall cause the Initial Warning Animal Nuisance Complaint Notice to be voided.

C. The original nuisance animal complaint will remain on file and active for 30 days after the initial 10 day correction period. If a second complaint is not received from the original complainant in 30 days, the complaint shall expire and the complainant must begin the process again if another allegation of nuisance is made regarding the same animal.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. When the Culver City Animal Services Division receives a subsequent verbal or written complaint concerning a noisy animal at the same location within 30 days after the issuance of an Initial Warning Animal Nuisance Complaint Notice, the Culver City Animal Services Division shall determine whether the Initial Warning Animal Nuisance Complaint Notice went unheeded. If the determination is made the noise was not abated, the Culver City Animal Services Division will give or send a Declaration of Animal Public Nuisance and Petition for an Administrative Hearing to the complaining party for completion.

B. The Declaration of Animal Public Nuisance and Petition for an Administrative Hearing shall be completed under penalty of perjury by the complaining party and returned to the Culver City Animal Services Division. If not returned within a 30-day period and no further complaints are received, no action will be taken by the Culver City Animal Services Division.

C. Declarations under penalty of perjury must be filed with the Culver City Animal Services stating in detail all of the following:

1. That Declarant is a resident of a residential home located within two hundred yards of the premises where the noisy animal is located;

2. Within the past month Declarant has heard the noisy animal bark, howl, whine or makes other sounds common to their species in a continuous or untimely fashion and for a substantially long period to the extreme annoyance of the Declarant;

3. That Declarant has had deterioration of emotional health from the barking, howling, whining or making other sounds common to their species;

4. That Declarant requests that the noisy animal either be removed from the premises or be confined indoors during specified hours;

5. That Declarant has mailed a copy of the declaration, certified mail, to the owner of the noisy animal.

D. The Culver City Animal Services Division, upon timely receipt of an executed Declaration of Animal Public Nuisance and Petition for an Administrative Hearing, shall set the case for hearing before the Administrative Hearing Officer. The hearing shall be set at least 10 and not more than 60 days from the date the Declaration is received. The Culver City Animal Services Division shall serve a notice, either personally or by first-class mail, to the complaining party and responsible party, of the date, time, and place for the hearing. The notice of hearing shall advise the complaining party and responsible party that they may present evidence at the hearing through witnesses, audio or video recordings or any other documentary evidence. The notice of hearing shall be accompanied by a copy of the Declaration of Animal Public Nuisance and Petition for an Administrative Hearing. If the notice cannot be safely served by personal service, then it may be posted upon the premises where the animal is kept and sent by first-class mail.

E. The complaining party may be informed that further action may not be warranted if the animal is controlled, but in any case, no further action can be taken until the completed Declaration of Complaint and Petition for an Administrative Hearing form is received by the Culver City Animal Services Division.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

At least one Initial Warning - Animal Nuisance Complaint notice and one Declaration of Animal Public Nuisance must be issued for each premise or location for the noisy animal(s) before procedures provided for hereinafter are implemented.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

The hearing before the Administrative Hearing Officer shall be open to the public. Administrative hearings are informal, and formal rules of evidence and discovery do not apply. Each party shall have the opportunity to present evidence in support of his or her case, and to cross-examine witnesses. The complainant bears the burden of proof at an administrative hearing to establish a violation of this animal nuisance abatement code. The evidence submitted in the hearing before the Administrative Hearing Officer may be either in the form of written declarations or by way of oral testimony. All written declarations shall be made under penalty of perjury in compliance with § 2015.5 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. The Administrative Hearing Officer shall use preponderance of the evidence as the standard of evidence in deciding the issues. The Administrative Hearing Officer may admit all relevant evidence, including incident reports, audio or video recordings, and affidavits of witnesses. The Administrative Hearing Officer may decide all issues even if the responsible party for the animal fails to appear at the hearing. The Administrative Hearing Officer may find, upon a preponderance of the evidence, that the animal is a nuisance animal and the maintenance of such animal is a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

Within 15 days after the conclusion of the hearing conducted pursuant to Section 9.01.730, the Administrative Hearing Officer shall notify the responsible party by first class mail of the Administrative Hearing Officer's determination and any orders issued. If the Administrative Hearing Officer determines that the animal is a nuisance animal and the maintenance thereof, a public nuisance, the responsible party shall comply with the Administrative Hearing Officer's order within 10 days after the date of mailing of the determination and order.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. The Administrative Hearing Officer shall make findings within the "Administrative Order" regarding the existence of the violation(s) specified in this chapter. If the Administrative Hearing Officer concludes that the animal in question constitutes a nuisance, the Administrative Order shall set forth a schedule for correction (i.e., whether the nuisance animal should be removed from the residence or whether the nuisance animal should be confined indoors for a specified schedule, and any other steps that may be taken to abate the nuisance).

B. The Administrative Hearing Officer may, as part of his/her determination that the animal is a nuisance animal and a public nuisance, direct the responsible party to perform one or more of the following actions (this list is illustrative rather than comprehensive):

1. Containment of the animal within an enclosed building on the premises of responsible party;

2. Require that the animal wear a noise suppression device obtained at the expense of the responsible party to reduce or eliminate the noise creating the nuisance;

3. Require that the animal undertake obedience training designed to abate the nuisance problem when appropriate and under the conditions imposed by the Administrative Hearing Officer and at the expense of the responsible party;

4. Restrict the time of day, days of the week and duration when the animal may be placed out-of-doors on the premises of the responsible party;

5. Require the animal to be debarked at the expense of the responsible party;

6. Require the responsible party to permanently remove the animal from said property and outside the City limits;

7. Any other reasonable means to accomplish the abatement.

C. If the Administrative Hearing Officer determines that the animal in question does not constitute a nuisance, all proceedings regarding the violation(s) shall immediately cease. However, this does not preclude other persons or Declarants from reinstituting proceedings against the owner of the same nuisance animal.

D. The Administrative Order has the discretion to impose administrative penalties as provided in § 9.01.745, and administrative costs as provided in § 9.01.750.

E. The Administrative Order shall become final on the date of service, and shall notify the responsible person of his right to appeal as provided in § 9.01.755. The Administrative Order shall set a deadline for compliance with its terms in the event that the responsible person fails to file an appeal.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

A. The Administrative Hearing Officer may assess against the responsible person an administrative penalty for any violation found to exist, or for any violation which was not timely corrected. The penalty shall be in the amount established by resolution of the City Council. Because a new and separate offense occurs each day during which a violation of any provision or requirement of this code is committed, the Administrative Hearing Officer may further assess a penalty for each day from the date the compliance order was issued until the date the violation is corrected as determined by the Administrative Hearing Officer. The Administrative Order shall specify the date by which the penalty must be paid.

B. Administrative penalties assessed by the Administrative Hearing Officer are a debt owed to the City.

C. Any person who fails to comply with the requirements and/or restrictions provided in any such hearing shall constitute a violation of this chapter. Such violation or violations shall be subject to the remedies procedure delineated in Culver City Municipal Codes Chapters 1.01 and 1.02.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

The Administrative Hearing Officer may assess against the responsible person administrative costs for any violation found to exist, or for any violation which was not timely corrected. The administrative costs include any and all costs incurred by the City in connection with prosecuting the violation, including but not limited to costs of investigation, staffing costs in preparation for the administrative hearing and for the hearing itself, and costs for all inspections necessary to enforce the compliance order and the Administrative Order. The Administrative Order shall specify the date by which the costs must be paid to the city.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

Within 20 days after service of the Administrative Hearing Officer's Administrative Order upon the responsible person, he or she may seek review of the Administrative Order by filing an appeal with the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The responsible person shall serve upon the city clerk either in person or by first class mail a copy of the notice of appeal. If the responsible person fails to timely file a notice of appeal, the Administrative Order shall be deemed confirmed.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

Failure to comply with an Administrative Order after it becomes final is a misdemeanor. Filing a criminal misdemeanor action does not preclude the city from using any other legal remedy available to gain compliance with the Administrative Order.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

In the event any person shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with an Administrative Order of the Administrative Hearing Officer within the time specified in said order and the public nuisance continues to exist, nothing herein precludes civil action to obtain the abatement of such public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

The provisions of this chapter are to be construed as an added remedy of abatement of the nuisance hereby declared and not in conflict with or derogation of any other actions or proceedings or remedies otherwise provided by this title or other state or local law.

(Ord. No. 2017-011 § 2)

SALE AND USE OF GLUE TRAPS PROHIBITED

The purpose of this subchapter is to prohibit the sale and use of glue traps which are designed to capture animals and subject them to a slow, cruel, inhumane death.

(Ord. No. 2025-014, § 1)

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ANIMAL. Any vertebrate or invertebrate animal, such as birds, rodents, reptiles, and insects.

GLUE TRAP. A device that is designed to, or is capable of, being used to capture any animal by means of an adhesive substance or similar viscid substance.

PERSON. A natural person.

REGULATED ENTITY. Any business (regardless of whether it consists of a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or any other manner of organization) or association, group or organization (regardless of the manner of organization and regardless of whether conducted on a profit or not-for profit basis).

SELL or SALE. Any transfer, exchange, barter, gift, offer for sale or distribution for a commercial purpose in any manner or by any means whatsoever.

(Ord. No. 2025-014, § 1)

A. It is unlawful for any regulated entity or person to sell, offer for sale, or display for sale, glue traps within the city.

B. It is unlawful for any regulated entity or person to set, place, or otherwise use a glue trap or permit another person or regulated entity to set, place, or use a glue trap to capture or kill any animal within the city.

(Ord. No. 2025-014, § 1)

A. A violation of any of the provisions of this subchapter shall be deemed a misdemeanor, subject to the penalties as set forth in § 1.01.040 of this code.

B. Nothing in this subchapter shall prevent the City Attorney from prosecuting a violation of this subchapter as an infraction, at their discretion, as set forth in § 1.01.035.B. of this code subject to the penalties as set forth in § 1.01.040 of this code.

C. Nothing in this subchapter shall prevent the City Attorney from bringing civil action, at their discretion, for violations of the provisions of this subchapter, as set forth in § 1.01.050 of this code.

D. A violation of any of the provisions of this subchapter may be enforced through the administrative citation process set forth in chapter 1.02 of this code.

(Ord. No. 2025-014, § 1)