Grand Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 Animal Licensing and Vaccination

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), adopted October 8, 2019, repealed and reenacted Chapter 6.08 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, Chapter 6.08, Sections 6.08.010—6.08.240 pertained to dog licensing and vaccination—rabies control, and derived from the County Code, §§ 32.021—32.029, 32.0210—32.0224; Ord. No. 1, § 1, adopted in 1978, and Ord. No. 206, adopted in 2003.

A. Every resident in the City who owns, has an interest in, houses, harbors and feeds, and/or has the care, charge, custody or possession of a dog four months of age or over, and whether such dog is confined or not, shall obtain a Dog License from the City for such a dog.

B. Each dog shall have a current rabies vaccination as evidenced by a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by the veterinarian who performed the vaccination as a prerequisite to licensing; provided, that a rabies vaccination certificate shall not be required if the license is obtained at the time the dog is vaccinated at a City or County low-cost clinic.

C. Each dog subject to licensing under this Section shall be implanted with a registered microchip as a prerequisite to obtaining a City Dog License. The owner is required to provide proof of microchip implantation, including the registered microchip number with the resident listed as the primary owner of the dog, to the City at the time of licensing and shall notify the City of any change of ownership, change of address or telephone number associated with the dog. This section does not require a dog to be microchipped if a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that the dog is medically unfit for the microchipping procedure because the dog has a physical condition that would be substantially aggravated by the procedure.

D. While a dog is being used as a guard dog within the City, it must have a Dog License from the City and the license tag must be securely fixed to the dog's collar regardless of where the owner resides and whether a license has been obtained for that jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 365, § 2, 3-11-2025; Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A. A maximum of two dogs, which are four or more months of age, and two cats shall be permitted on any property comprised of attached dwelling units.

B. A maximum of four dogs, which are more than four months of age, or four cats, or any combination of dogs and cats that total no more than a maximum of four shall be permitted on any property comprised of a detached dwelling unit.

C. A maximum of five dogs, which are more than four months of age, or five cats, or any combination of dogs and cats that total no more than a maximum of five shall be permitted on any property measuring 20,000 square feet or more and comprised of a detached dwelling unit.

D. Notwithstanding Subsections A., B. and C., a maximum of one additional dog or cat may be temporarily licensed, without payment of the licensing fee, for a period of six months, in the following circumstances:

1. To care for the dog or cat of an active military service member that has been deployed, when documentation of deployment orders is provided;

2. To care for the dog of an elderly resident that cannot care for the dog due to illness or death.

E. Where this Section is in conflict with any other provision of the Municipal Code, this Section shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

An application for a dog license shall be submitted to the City and shall include a completed written application on a form approved by the City, which shall specify the name and address of the applicant and a description of the animal, along with the appropriate fee as adopted by City Council resolution, which may be amended from time to time, and rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian or anti-rabies clinic showing a current vaccination.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A. Each application for a dog license shall be accompanied by a license fee as established by City Council resolution, provided such license is obtained:

1. Within 30 days after the dog attains the age of four months;

2. Within 30 days after purchase or obtaining control, care or custody of a dog which previously attained the age of four months; and provided further that proof of recent acquisition as indicated by the date of purchase receipt is shown at the time of application; or

3. Within 30 days after the date of establishing residency in the City provided further that the dog has a current license from another City or county and within 15 days if the dog has no current license.

B. Upon acceptance of the license application and fee, the licensing authority shall issue a durable tag, stamped with an identifying number. Tags shall be designed so that they may conveniently be fastened to the animal's collar or harness.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

Any person who obtains a license not in conformity with any of the provisions of Section 6.08.030 shall pay a penalty fee, as established by City Council resolution, in addition to the regular license fee.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A. The licensing period shall run concurrently with the rabies vaccination certificate.

B. Where this Section is in conflict with any other provision of the Municipal Code, this Section shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

When an original license tag is lost, a duplicate tag shall be obtained from the City. An applicant shall submit a completed application to the City on a form approved by the City. The cost of each duplicate tag shall be as established by City Council resolution, which may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

It shall be the responsibility of every person who owns, houses, harbors, cares for or has in custody a licensed dog within the City's jurisdiction, to securely attach or fasten the license tag to the dog's collar or harness so that such tag is worn by the dog at all times except while such dog remains indoors or in any enclosed yard or pen where the dog cannot escape.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

It is unlawful for any person to place upon or attach to a dog any false, counterfeit or unauthorized tag for the purpose of evading the provisions of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A. It is unlawful to attach a license tag on a dog for which the tag was not originally issued.

B. It is unlawful to attach a license tag to any dog that does not have a current rabies vaccination.

C. It is unlawful for unauthorized person to remove from any dog, any collar or harness or other device to which is attached a City license tag for the current year or remove such tag therefrom.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A. Subject to approval by City Council resolution, the City may issue a license without payment of the required license fee to an owner or custodian of a guide dog and the owner is visually impaired and can submit proof that such dog has been successfully trained to lead a visually impaired person as a guide dog. Such exemption is good only while the dog is in possession of the visually impaired person.

B. Dogs belonging to the Police Department and used for law enforcement activities shall be exempt from license fee payment.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A license is not required for the following categories of dogs; however, they must have a current rabies vaccination:

A. Any dog within the City when the owner thereof resides in any municipality outside the City, and such dog is wearing or has attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by such municipality;

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

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

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. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

If, during the licensing year, a licensed dog is sold or title to the dog is otherwise transferred to a new owner, such new owner may apply to the City for a transfer of such dog's tag and license and pay a transfer fee as established by City Council resolution. Upon receipt of such application fee the City shall issue a certificate of transfer of such tag and the name and addresses of the owner and new owners.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

Each City dog license shall expire on December 31 of each year and shall be renewed prior to expiration or within a period of 30 days after expiration. The procedure for the renewal of such license shall be conducted in the same manner as the issuance of the original license.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A. Any rabies vaccination certificate issued for a vaccinated canine hybrid (i.e., wolf hybrid) must identify the animal as a "domestic-wild animal hybrid".

B. The licensing fee for all canine hybrids shall conform with that of the City's domestic dog licensing program.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

Upon request of any animal control officer, peace officer or other agent of the City, an owner of a dog for which a license is required shall present to such officer a currently valid certificate of vaccination or license tag for such dogs.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

A. An owner of a cat may be issued a license, including microchip, for such cat upon presentation to the City of a certificate of vaccination signed by a veterinarian certifying that such a cat has been vaccinated, and upon payment of a license fee of such amount as may be established from time to time by City Council resolution.

B. No more than two cats are permitted per household.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

It is unlawful for any person within the City to own, have an interest in, house, harbor and feed, or have the care, charge, custody or possession of a dog over the age of four months, whether such dog is confined or not, unless such dog has a current vaccination with rabies vaccine approved by the California State Department of Public Health and is officially licensed and tagged as provided for in this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

The rabies vaccination shall be performed only by a veterinarian who is duly licensed to practice in the State of California.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, a dog may be exempted from rabies vaccination if such vaccination would jeopardize the health of such dog due to infirmity or other disability provided the owner has in his possession a written certification from a licensed veterinarian attesting to such infirmity or disability. The owner or custodian of such dog shall, within ten days after the termination of such infirmity or disability, cause such dog to be vaccinated and licensed. Any such dog with infirmity or disability shall be securely confined within its owner's or harborer's premises so that it does not come in contact with any other animal or person.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

Any person whose duty it is to enforce the provisions of this Chapter may enter upon private property with the consent of the property owner, tenant or occupier, or by authority of a warrant, or without consent of a warrant if exigent circumstances exist.

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)

Violations of this Chapter shall be punished in accordance with Chapter 1.16 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code."

(Ord. No. 326, § 3(Exh. 2), 10-8-2019)