Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Art. 2 Additional or Unusual Animal License

The additional or unusual animal license is established to permit the keeping or maintaining as a pet or for the personal utilization by members of the household on the premises or kept as fosters or for the purpose of adoption the following:

(a) Wild or domestic animals pursuant to 10-1-94 or animals not specifically classified which will not jeopardize, endanger or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety or general welfare;

(b) Domestic or wild animals exceeding the number permitted, or on lots or parcels of land having less than the area required, which will not be materially detrimental to the use, enjoyment or valuation of property of other persons located in the vicinity of such site.

(Ord. No. 2022-215, § 4, 6-7-22)

Any person desiring an additional or unusual animal license may file an application together with any fee established by the City of Mission Viejo, with the director, except that no application shall be filed or accepted if final action has been taken within one year prior thereto by the director on an application requesting the same, or substantially the same license.

(Ord. No. 2022-215, § 4, 6-7-22)

At the director's discretion, the animal services department may grant an additional or unusual animal license when the following criteria are met:

(a) That the requested animal or animals at the location proposed will not jeopardize, endanger or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety or general welfare;

(b) That the proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the animal or animals requested without material detriment to the use, enjoyment or valuation of the property of other persons located in the vicinity of the site;

(c) That the owner and/or custodian has complied with, and the maintenance of animals at the location proposed will comply with, any other applicable laws, including zoning regulations; and

(d) There have been no substantiated complaints regarding the proposed use and the use will not interfere with the enjoyment or valuation of property of others. The director shall deny the application where the information submitted by the applicant fails to substantiate these criteria to the reasonable satisfaction of the director.

(Ord. No. 2022-215, § 4, 6-7-22)

(a) The director, in approving an application for an additional or unusual animal license, may impose such conditions as are deemed necessary to ensure that such animals will be kept or maintained in accordance with the findings required by section 10-2-303 or the requirements of section 10-1-38.

(b) Prior to the approval of an application for additional or unusual animals, the property shall be inspected by an animal control officer to ensure compliance with the conditions established pursuant to subsection (a) and section 10-2-402 and compliance other applicable local and state laws. Random unannounced inspections may take place at the discretion of the director.

(c) Failure to allow for an inspection of a property within ten days of a request and at the discretion of the director, may result in the denial of a license pursuant to section 10-2-303 or revocation of a license pursuant to section 10-2-306.

(Ord. No. 2022-215, § 4, 6-7-22)

Each individual additional or unusual animal must be licensed under this article. An additional or unusual animal license shall specify the number and types of animals authorized to be kept on the parcel, and shall contain any conditions deemed necessary by the director.

The additional or unusual animal license is non-transferable and must be renewed annually.

Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this title, regulations promulgated by the City of Mission Viejo, or regulations promulgated by resolution of the city council of the city of Laguna Niguel, or conditions imposed by the director shall constitute cause for denial or revocation of the license.

(Ord. No. 2022-215, § 4, 6-7-22)