Fillmore Municipal Code Ch. 9.13 Kennels

No person shall own, manage or operate a kennel, as defined in this chapter, within the city unless such kennel has first been licensed pursuant to this chapter and the license is currently in effect.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

"Kennel," within the meaning of this chapter, means any place or premises where at any given time five or more dogs over the age of four months are kept for commercial purposes. For the purposes of this section, "commercial purposes" includes boarding, grooming, breeding, training, sale, adoption and related purposes for which some valuable consideration is paid.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 60, 5-24-2022)

Every applicant for a license required by Section 9.13.010 shall personally appear before the animal services director or his or her designee and make a written application for such license. Such application shall contain, in addition to:

(A) The nature of the business to be conducted;

(B) The name of the licensee;

(C) The place for which the license is issued;

(D) The amount paid for the license;

(E) The date upon which the license is issued; and

(F) The date of expiration of the license, as well as the following information:

(1) The name of the kennel;

(2) The name or names of the person or persons owning, managing and/or operating the kennel;

(3) The number and approximate ages of the animals kept therein as of the date of application;

(4) The maximum number of animals over the age of four months and the maximum number of animals under such age which will be kept at the kennel at any given time during the licensing period;

(5) The purpose or purposes for which the animals are kept. Such application shall be accompanied by a certificate from the community development director stating that the operation of the kennel is a permitted use or that a special or conditional use permit has been issued by the city for such operation within the zone in which the kennel is to be located;

(6) Copy of business license/occupational permit issued by the applicable jurisdiction; and

(7) Copy of an animal evacuation plan containing the following:

• A floor plan or diagram of the kennel that clearly shows the location of all fire extinguishers, escape routes, and "safe" places to take dogs during natural disasters.

• Procedures detailing how dogs should be protected and/or evacuated during various types of emergencies.

• Plan for training all staff and volunteers.

• Animal evacuation memorandums of understanding (if applicable).

• Inventory checklists of necessary supplies for emergencies.

• Command structure identifying reporting protocol to be followed during emergencies.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 61, 5-24-2022; Ord. No. 23-953, § 1, 9-26-2023)

Upon receipt of an application satisfactory on its face, the animal services director shall cause the kennel to be inspected to determine whether it complies with the minimum standards for the operation of a kennel containing the number of animals of the various ages specified in the application as the maximum number which will be kept in the kennel at any given time during the licensing period. Such minimum standards shall be prepared by the animal services director in writing and shall be made available for inspection during regular business hours. If the animal services director determines that the kennel meets such minimum standards and that the application complies with all the requirements of this chapter, he or she shall approve the application. The animal services director shall notify the applicant of temporary or permanent approval or disapproval of the application within thirty days of the receipt thereof. The animal services director shall keep the original of the application on file in the office of the animal control department throughout the term of the license issued pursuant to such application.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 62, 5-24-2022)

Upon approval of the application, the poundmaster shall forward a copy thereof marked "Approved" to the tax collector. Upon receipt of the license fee, the tax collector shall issue the license so approved to the applicant.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

The annual license fee shall be as prescribed by resolution of the council or county board of supervisors.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 63, 5-24-2022)

Licenses issued pursuant to this chapter may not be renewed beyond the licensing period for which they are issued. Persons wishing to obtain a license for a given kennel for more than one licensing period must obtain a new license for each such period. All renewal applications are subject to the application requirements set forth in Section 9.13.030 of this Code.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 23-953, § 2, 9-26-2023)

Any license issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked by the animal services director whenever:

(1) The kennel contains a greater number of animals than the maximum number specified in the application;

(2) In the opinion of the animal services director, the kennel fails to meet any of the minimum standards mentioned in section 9.13.040;

(3) In the opinion of the animal services director, the kennel is not being maintained in a sanitary and healthful condition; or

(4) In the opinion of the animal services director, the animals confined in the kennel are not provided with adequate care and supervision.

No part of the animal license fee shall be refunded in the event of such revocation.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 64, 5-24-2022)

The provisions of this chapter are in addition to, and not in limitation of, the provisions of any applicable zoning laws or ordinances. A license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall cease to be valid whenever the operation of the kennel to which the license applies becomes a prohibited use for the zone in which it is then located.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)