El Segundo Municipal Code Ch. 4 Licenses for Kennels and Animal Breeding Businesses

It is unlawful to operate or maintain a kennel or animal breeding business in the city without a valid kennel or breeder's license issued pursuant to this title. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

Persons wishing to obtain either a kennel or a breeder's license must file an application as follows:

A. License applications will be filed by a natural person.

B. License applications will be in a form prescribed by the director and will, at a minimum, contain all of the following information:

1. Whether the applicant is seeking a kennel or breeder's license;

2. The name, mailing address, and daytime and evening telephone numbers of the person filing the application;

3. If filing on behalf of a business, the name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number of the organization; and if requested by the director, written documentation of the authority under which the applicant is applying for the permit on behalf of the organization;

4. For a kennel license, the proposed location of the kennel. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

In addition to the information required by this chapter, applications for all licenses will include such supplemental information which the director may find reasonably necessary in order to determine whether to approve or deny a license under this chapter. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

The director will issue a kennel or breeder's license if:

A. The application was complete in accordance with this chapter;

B. There are no grounds for denying a license;

C. For a kennel license, operating the proposed kennel will not violate any state or local regulation;

D. Operating the proposed breeding business will not endanger the health, peace or safety of the community;

E. The proposed site for the proposed breeding business is clean and sanitary;

F. The applicant has not had a similar license revoked within one year before the application; and

G. Applicant accepts the permit approval or conditional approval in writing. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

A permit may be denied for the following reasons:

A. The application is incomplete;

B. The applicant failed to provide reasonable supplemental application information requested by the director;

C. Information submitted by the applicant is materially false;

D. The proposed location for a kennel does not conform with the zoning regulations of this code. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

A. Any person conducting, managing or maintaining a kennel must pay the city an annual fee for the privilege of conducting or maintaining a dog kennel. The amount of the annual fee will be set by city council resolution and entitles the kennel operator to maintain ten (10) or fewer dogs. An additional fee, set by city council resolution, must be paid by persons managing or maintaining kennels housing more than ten (10) dogs. (Ord. 1379, 1-18-2005)

B. Every person owning or operating any kennel will keep all animals therein under proper confinement on the premises and will not cause, permit or allow such animals to be or to run at large.

C. The holder of a kennel license will keep available for inspection, on the premises, a record that will show:

1. The name, current address and telephone number of the owner of each animal kept at the kennel;

2. The date such animal entered the kennel;

3. The reason for such animal being at the kennel, such as for boarding, sale, breeding or grooming;

4. The description of the animal, including its age, breed, sex and color;

5. That there exists a current, valid rabies certificate for every dog over four (4) months of age so long as such dog is kept at the kennel.

D. The provisions of this section do not apply to breeder's licenses. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

Licenses issued pursuant to this chapter will expire one year from the date of issuance. The license may be revoked or suspended for cause in accordance with this chapter before the expiration date. The license is void if the licensee changes the location of the breeding business or sells, assigns, transfers or otherwise disposes of such business or his or her interest therein for a period of thirty (30) days or more. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

Each license or permit issued under this chapter will be renewed within thirty (30) days after the expiration thereof. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

A. Any license or permit issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked or suspended if the director finds:

1. That the licensee, his or her agent or employee, has been convicted of any offense involving the violation of Penal Code sections 596, 596.6, 597, 597.1, 597.5, 598 and 599, or of any provision of this chapter;

2. That the licensee, his or her agent or employee, has, at the place for which the license was issued, failed to provide any animal in his or her possession care or control with proper and sufficient food, drink, shelter or protection, or subjected any such animal to suffering, cruelty or abuse;

3. That the licensee, his or her agent or employee, failed to maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary condition;

4. That the licensee, his or her agent or employee, has violated any rule or regulation made pursuant to the provisions of this title;

5. That the licensee has falsified facts on the license application.

B. If a license is denied or revoked for cause, the director will not accept a new application by the same person for a breeding license less than six months after such denial or revocation, unless the applicant affirmatively shows and the officer finds, by inspection or investigation, that the grounds upon which the first application was denied or the license was revoked no longer existed.

C. On revocation of a license, no part of the fee is refundable. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

Licenses issued pursuant to this chapter will be displayed in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)

A. The director may issue a breeder's license in the same manner as kennel licenses. Persons who possess a valid kennel license issued pursuant to this title need not obtain a breeder's license.

B. In addition to every other applicable requirement of this title, every licensee will comply with each of the following conditions:

1. Every puppy or kitten offered for sale must be examined by a veterinarian and be certified free of congenital defects, distemper, worms, skin disease, skin and ear mites, and other diseases or conditions which would be injurious to the animal or a potential owner.

2. Every puppy or kitten offered for sale will have been vaccinated against distemper by a veterinarian. A certificate providing the name of the veterinarian and the date and treatment must be provided to the purchaser at the time of sale.

3. No animal will be transported by a licensee unless housed in a container designed for that purpose including provisions for adequate ventilation and food and water.

4. No licensee will allow the whelping of more than one litter per female dog or cat during the license term. (Ord. 1340, 11-7-2001)