Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 10.28 Other Licenses

This chapter 28 applies to licenses required for animal facilities and wild animals.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 115, 2016: Ord. 2011-0011 § 3, 2011: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 601, 1946.)

A person who seeks to operate an animal facility or to keep a wild animal under Section 10.28.060 must file an application with the Department and pay the required fee. A person who possessed or owned a wild animal or who operated an animal facility without the required license must pay the penalty owed under Section 10.90.010, in addition to the license fee. When a person applies for licenses for different purposes for animals at the same premises at the same time, the cost of the licenses will be reduced in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.90.010.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 116, 2016: Ord. 2009-0017 § 13, 2009: Ord. 2004-0036 § 8, 2004: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 602, 1946.)

Fees for animal facility licenses and wild animal licenses are not refundable.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 118, 2016: Ord. 2004-0036 § 9, 2004: Ord. 93-0002 § 6, 1993: Ord. 85-0204 § 14, 1985: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 621, 1946.)

The Director will inspect the premises and conduct an investigation, at his discretion, related to the filing of any license or renewal application. A license will be issued or renewed if the following requirements are met:

A.

The maintenance of the animal or animals at the specified location will not violate any federal law, state law, or ordinance of the County of Los Angeles, or constitute a menace to the health, peace, or safety of the community; and

B.

The applicant has received approval from the Director of the Department of Regional Planning that the maintenance of the animal or animals at the specified location will not violate a zoning ordinance or other land-use plan; and

C.

The applicant has not had an animal facility or wild animal license denied or revoked within the County of Los Angeles within the 12-month period before the date of the application. However, the Director may issue a license within that 12-month period if the applicant can show that the grounds of the denial or revocation no longer exist.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 119, 2016: Ord. 2011-0011 § 4, 2011: Ord. 2004-0036 § 10, 2004: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 623, 1946.)

A person, including a new owner of an existing organization or business, cannot conduct or operate an animal facility or keep, harbor, or maintain a wild animal within the Department's jurisdiction without first obtaining a license from the Department and any other applicable agency. The uninterrupted transit to and from locations outside of the Department's jurisdiction is not considered to be keeping a wild animal for the purposes of this section. The use, display, or presence of a wild animal for entertainment purposes or still or video photography regardless of medium, no matter how briefly, is considered to be keeping a wild animal for the purposes of this section. Failure to obtain a license for an animal facility or a wild animal is a misdemeanor. A license is not required for the keeping of the following animals as pets:

Birds, but a license is required for the keeping of more roosters than allowed in Section 10.38.010 B.

Domestic rodents (pet mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas);

Fish;

Non-venomous reptiles less than six feet in length;

Rabbits.

(Ord. 2022-0020 § 10, 2022; Ord. 2018-0035 § 4, 2018; Ord. 2016-0040 § 120, 2016; Ord. 2011-0011 § 5, 2011; Ord. 2009- 0017 § 14, 2009; Ord. 2004-0036 § 12, 2004.)

An application for an animal license or an animal facility license filed by the owner or custodian of one or more pygmy pigs will be issued if the following requirements are met:

A.

The owner or custodian of a pygmy pig kept in a residential area, as permitted in Title 22 of the Los Angeles County Code as a pet or for personal use, has provided written confirmation to the Department from a licensed veterinarian that the pig has been neutered or spayed; and

B.

The owner or custodian of the animal provides written confirmation to the Department that he or she has obtained all licenses and zoning permit required under this County Code or any other ordinance or statute.

(Ord. 2022-0020 § 11, 2022; Ord. 2016-0040 § 121, 2016; Ord. 2004-0036 § 13, 2004; Ord. 92-0110 § 2, 1992.)

Breeding of a pygmy pig is prohibited in a residential zone.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 122, 2016: Ord. 92-0110 § 3, 1992.)

The term of a license covered by this chapter is 12 months following the date of issue, unless sooner revoked or terminated by the Director, or by any of the following actions: the licensee changes the location of the animal facility or the animal for which the license was issued, or the licensee sells, assigns, transfers, or otherwise disposes of the animal facility or animal or his or her interest in the animal facility or animal.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 123, 2016: Ord. 2011-0011 § 6, 2011: Ord. 2004-0036 § 14, 2004: Ord. 10638 § 1 (part), 1973: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 607, 1946.)

The holder of an animal facility license must post the current license in a conspicuous part of the premises. The holder of a wild animal license must attach the current license to the cage or enclosure where the animal is kept. A pygmy pig license must be attached to a harness or other device and worn by the animal at all times.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 124, 2016: Ord. 92-0110 § 4, 1992: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 627, 1946.)

If a ground exists to deny a license, the Director, in his discretion, may issue the license subject to conditions instead of denying the license.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 125, 2016: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 604, 1946.)

The Director must mail a written notice to a licensee stating his intention to deny a license or grant it subject to new or additional conditions, which will be specified in the notice. The notice must also state that if the applicant wishes to appeal the Director's decision, he must submit a written request for a hearing before the Business License Commission within 14 days after the date the notice was mailed.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 126, 2016: Ord. 10638 § 1 (part), 1973: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 605, 1946.)

When an applicant requests a hearing, the Director will prepare and file an accusation as described in Section 7.10.210 of this code, relating to business licenses. The parties will be notified and a hearing will be held by the Business License Commission under Sections 7.04.280 and 7.10.200 through 7.10.390 of this code. All parties will be given an opportunity to provide documentary evidence and witness testimony at the hearing. The Business License Commission will determine whether the license should be issued, issued subject to conditions, or denied.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 127, 2016: Ord. 10638 § 1 (part), 1973: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 606, 1946.)

An animal facility licensee is required to apply for a renewal license and to pay the fee under Section 10.90.010 before the license expires. A licensee who has not applied for a renewal within 30 days after the license has expired must obtain a new license and pay the applicable fees and penalties.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 129, 2016: Ord. 2009-0017 § 15, 2009: Ord. 2004-0036 § 17, 2004: Ord. 87-0036 § 15, 1987: Ord. 85- 0204 § 16, 1985: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 6937 § 4, 1956: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 608, 1946.)

Every license is granted and accepted by the parties with the express understanding that the Director may suspend or revoke the license if warranted, in accordance with the procedure described in Section 10.28.140. If the Business License Commission finds that any ground for revocation exists, it may revoke or suspend the license. The Director may suspend the license for up to 60 days before the hearing is held and the decision is made by the Business License Commission.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 130, 2016: Ord. 10638 § 1 (part), 1973: Ord. 10087 § 1, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 8613 § 1 (part), 1964: Ord. 8043 § 10 (part), 1961: Ord. 7829 § 4 (part), 1960; Ord. 7351 § 3 (part), 1958: Ord. 6937 § 6, 1956: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 610, 1946.)

If an initial license or renewal fee has been paid within the preceding 12 months, and a re-inspection is necessary to determine compliance with all licensing requirements, or requested for any reason, a re-inspection fee will be charged.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 131, 2016: Ord. 2009-0017 § 16, 2009: Ord. 2004-0036 § 18, 2004.)

A license may be suspended or revoked on any one or more of the following grounds:

A.

Denial of the license would be authorized under existing facts;

B.

The licensee, or any agent or employee of the licensee, has violated a municipal ordinance or a state or federal law or regulation relating to the operation of an animal related business. C. The licensee obtained the license by misrepresentation(s).

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 132, 2016: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 613, 1946.)

A.

The Director may impose or amend license conditions if grounds exist for the revocation of the license. The Director will give written notice to the licensee of his intention to impose or amend conditions. Within 14 days after the notice is mailed, the licensee may submit a written request for hearing before the Business License Commission.

B.

The Business License Commission may impose or amend conditions based on evidence presented at the hearing.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 135, 2016: Ord. 10638 § 1 (part), 1973: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 611, 1946.)

The Director may grant or deny all or part of a licensee's application to change license conditions as warranted by the facts.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 136, 2016: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 612, 1946.)

The license must state the name and residence address of the licensee, the address where the animals will be kept, the amount paid for the license, the date the license was issued, and the expiration date.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 138, 2016: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 618, 1946.)

If the Director has not received a complaint regarding the issuance or renewal of an animal facility license, he may issue or renew the license for the location stated on the license, without a report from the Director of the Department of Regional Planning , or other applicable zoning authority. If a complaint has been received, approval from the Director of the Department of Regional Planning is required to confirm that keeping the animal(s) at the location will not violate any provision of the applicable zoning ordinance or official plan for land use.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 139, 2016: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 6 § 619, 1946.)

A.

The purpose of the Animal Facility Grade Card is to provide notice to the public of the grade earned by an animal facility at the time of the most recent inspection of the facility. The grading standards are stated in the Animal Facility Inspection Report, which is available upon request from any County animal care center.

B.

The letter grade reflected in the Animal Facility Inspection Report is based on the facility's level of compliance with applicable state statutes, local ordinances, and policies relating to the care of animals. The grade is based on the animal facility's final score:

Grade of A: 90% and above;

Grade of B: 80% to 89%;

Grade of C: 70% to 79%. A score of 70% is the minimum grade required to maintain a license in good standing. A score of less than 70% will result in recommendations by the Department regarding licensing or legal action to be taken as set forth in Section 10.28.290.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 141, 2016: Ord. 2004-0036 § 19, 2004.)

A.

The facility is required to post the Animal Facility Grade Card at the animal facility as follows:

Posted in the front window of the facility within five feet of the front door or;

Posted in a display case mounted on the outside front wall of the facility within five feet of the front door; or

Posted in a location as directed and determined in the discretion of the Director to ensure proper notice to the general public and to patrons.

B.

If an animal facility is operated in the same building or space or shares a common customer entrance as a separately licensed or permitted business, the facility must post the Animal Facility Grade Card(s) in the initial customer contact area, or in a location determined by the Director.

C.

The Animal Facility Grade Card must not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden, or removed. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, it is unlawful to operate an animal facility unless the Animal Facility Grade Card is displayed as required by this Section. A violation of this subsection C is a misdemeanor punishable under Penal Code Section 19.

D.

The Director may waive posting of the Animal Facility Grade Card when the animal facility consists of animals maintained solely as personal pets that are not used to breed, show, sell, adopt, or transfer ownership or custody of the animals by any other method.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 142, 2016: Ord. 2004-0036 § 20, 2004.)

The Department will take one or more of the following actions if an animal facility does not earn a score of at least 70%:

Deny, revoke, impose conditions on, or not renew the animal facility license.

Refer the matter to local prosecuting authorities for criminal prosecution under local ordinances or state statutes.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 143, 2016: Ord. 2004-0036 § 21, 2004.)