Chapter 6.12 — ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS GENERALLY
Norwalk Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Norwalk
Sections in this part
Article I
Animals Running at Large
§ 6.12.010. Running at large prohibited.¶
No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be off the premises of its owner, unless such dog is securely restrained by a strong leash not exceeding six feet in length, securely and continuously held by a competent person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having charge, care, control, custody or possession of such dog, or unless such dog is confined within an enclosed vehicle. The above section shall not apply to any dog being used for law enforcement purposes by any law enforcement agency. (Prior code § 6-6.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.020. Giving notice of captured animals.¶
Any person who captures an animal at large shall, within 24 hours, give notice to the Executive Director. Such notice shall include the following:
A. The fact that he or she has such animal in his or her possession;
B. A complete description of such animal;
C. The license number of such animal, if any, and by what County or City issued, or the fact that such animal has no license;
D. The place where such animal is confined and may be taken into custody by the Executive Director.
(Prior code § 6-6.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.030. Running at large—Other animals.¶
No person owning or having control of any horse, miniature horse, pony, donkey, mule, cattle, pig, miniature pig, sheep, llama, and alpaca shall:
A. Permit such animal to run at large; or
B. Cause or permit any such animal to be pastured, herded, staked or tied in any street, lane, alley, park or other public area; or
C. Tie, stake, pasture or permit the tying, staking or pasturing of any such animal upon any private property without the consent of the owner or occupant of such property, or in such a way as to permit any such animal to trespass upon any street or public place or upon any private property; or
D. Permit any such animal to be or remain during the night time secured by a stake, or secured in any manner other than by enclosing such animal in a pen, corral or barn sufficient and adequate to restrain such animal, or by securely fastening such animal by means of a rope or chain of sufficient size, strength and weight to effectively restrain such animal; or
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City of Norwalk, CA
ANIMALS
§ 6.12.030
§ 6.12.040
E. Fail to provide the necessary sustenance, drink, shelter or protection from the weather or otherwise for such animal.
(Ord. 08-1603 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.040. Running at large—Fowl and rabbits.¶
It is declared to be a nuisance and no person shall suffer or permit any rabbits and/or permitted birds and/or fowl, owned or controlled by him or her, to run or fly at large or to go upon the premises of any other person in the City.
(Prior code § 6-6.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
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City of Norwalk, CA
ANIMALS
§ 6.12.050
§ 6.12.100
Article II Sanitation and Sales
§ 6.12.050. Dog feces.¶
No owner or person having charge, custody or control of any dog shall permit, either wilfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to defecate, or to allow such feces thereafter to remain, on any public sidewalk or park or any other public property, or on any improved private property other than that of the owner or person who has custody or control of such dog.
(Prior code § 6-9.2; amended during 1999 codification; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.060. Artificial treatment.¶
No person shall dye, color or otherwise treat any rabbit, baby chick, duckling or other fowl, or any and all other animals.
(Prior code § 6-9.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.070. Sanitary maintenance of animals.¶
Every person owning or occupying premises where any animal, fowl or bird is kept shall keep the stable, barn, stall, pen, coop, building or place in which such animal is kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(Prior code § 6-9.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.080. Manure bins and removal of manure.¶
Every person owning or occupying premises where manure from any horse, pony, mule, cow, pigeon, fowl, rabbit or other animal accumulates shall provide for the removal of such manure daily. Unless all manure accumulated on any premises is removed daily, boxes, bins or receptacles of a design and construction acceptable to the Health Officer shall be provided by the owner or occupant of such premises, and such boxes, bins or receptacles shall be used only for the purpose of containing the accumulation of manure, and in no instance shall manure be so placed in such boxes or receptacles in such a manner as to prevent the tight closing of the lid; provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall apply to manure which is spread as fertilizer over and around cultivated plants, vines, vegetables, lawns, bushes or trees, or to manure kept by any nursery for commercial fertilizer purposes, unless such manure creates a nuisance either from fly breeding or excessive obnoxious odors. These boxes, bins or receptacles shall be constructed of brick, stone, concrete, metal, wood lined with metal or other sound material, and shall be proof against access to the contents by flies. The contents of such boxes, bins or receptacles shall be removed at least once a week. (Prior code § 6-9.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.090. Order to clean premises and manure bins.¶
No person who is ordered by the Executive Director or the Health Officer to clean or disinfect any stable, barn, corral, stall, pen, coop, building or place in which any horse, pony, mule, cow, fowl, bird or other animal is kept, or who is ordered by such officer to clean or disinfect any box, bin or receptacle used for the accumulation of manure shall fail, neglect or refuse to clean and disinfect such stable, barn, corral, stall, pen, coop, building, place, box, bin or receptacle. (Prior code § 6-9.7; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
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City of Norwalk, CA
ANIMALS
§ 6.12.100
§ 6.12.160
§ 6.12.100. Veterinarians' notice of death of animals.¶
Every person owning or operating any veterinary hospital or other establishment for the treatment of animals shall give written notice to the owner of any animal left in the hospital or institution for treatment, in the event of the death of such animal; provided, the name and address of the owner has been filed with the office of the establishment. (Prior code § 6-9.8; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.110. Carcass of animal.¶
It is declared to be a nuisance and no person shall cause, suffer or permit the carcass of any animal to remain upon any lot, premises or place owned, controlled or occupied by him or her for a period of more than 24 hours, or to be buried upon any premises owned, controlled or occupied by him or her.
(Prior code § 6-9.9; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.120. Animals in stores or conveyances.¶
No person shall bring any dog, cat or other live animal, or permit any dog, cat or other live animal to be brought into or remain in any room or place, other than a private home where food is not handled for commercial purposes, in which meat, fish, game, poultry, fruit, vegetables, bakery goods or any other food or food product is stored, kept, held, prepared, exposed, offered for sale or sold for human consumption, or permit any dog, cat or other live animal to ride upon or get into or upon any wagon or other vehicle in which any such articles offered or to be offered for sale for human consumption are being kept or transported; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to a dog trained to guide the blind. (Prior code § 6-9.10; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.130. Transporting animals in motor vehicles.¶
No person shall transport any animal on the running board of any motor vehicle or outside the passenger compartment, tonneau or body thereof, unless such animal is protected by a framework or other device which will prevent such animal from falling, jumping or being thrown from such motor vehicle, whether in motion or not. (Prior code § 6-9.11; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.140. Keeping diseased animals prohibited—Exception.¶
No person shall keep any animal which is known or believed by him or her to be infected with any dangerous or communicable disease, or which is afflicted with any painful disease believed by him or her to be incurable, without a permit to do so from the Health Officer or other person designated by the City.
(Prior code § 6-9.12; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.150. Proximity to certain structures.¶
No person shall keep any animal, fowl or bird, wild or domestic, other than dogs, cats, canaries and birds of the psittacidae family, within 35 feet of any inhabited structure, school or hospital. (Prior code § 6-9.13; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
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City of Norwalk, CA § 6.12.160
NORWALK CODE
§ 6.12.180
§ 6.12.160. Noisy animals.¶
It is declared to be a nuisance, and no person shall keep, maintain or permit upon any lot or parcel of land under his or her control, any animal or animals, including any fowl, which by any sound or cry shall interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by any individual. (Prior code § 6-9.14; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.170. Traps prohibited.¶
No person shall set or use any spring steel trap, No. 1 size or larger, except that the use of gopher traps is not prohibited.
(Prior code § 6-9.15; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.180. Slaughter of animals prohibited— Exceptions.¶
No person shall, within this City, wilfully slaughter or cause to be slaughtered any cattle, calf, horse, mule, sheep, swine or goat or any other animal. This section shall not apply to the slaughter of such animals within an educational institution, physician's office or laboratory for medical research or other scientific purposes, nor to the slaughter of such animals by a person licensed by the State of California to practice veterinary medicine or by any commercial establishment duly licensed by the City and the United States Department of Agriculture as a slaughterhouse.
(Prior code § 6-9.16; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
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City of Norwalk, CA
ANIMALS
§ 6.12.190
§ 6.12.200
Article III Kennels
§ 6.12.190. Breeding of cats or dogs and cat or dog kennels.¶
No person shall keep or maintain or permit to be kept or maintained, upon any premises owned or controlled by him or her, any cat or dog kept mainly for breeding purposes, except within industrially zoned property and then only in a kennel approved by the Executive Director. (Prior code §§ 6-10.1, 6-10.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.200. Cat or dog breeding permit.¶
Any person owning or having control, custody, charge or possession of any cat or dog for breeding purposes shall secure a cat or dog breeding permit approved by the City and issued by the Executive Director and pay the required fee. Any kitten or puppy sold from a litter for a profit over and above the cost of advertising, if any, shall be prima facie evidence of cat or dog breeding.
(Prior code § 6-10.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
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City of Norwalk, CA
ANIMALS
§ 6.12.210
§ 6.12.220
Article IV Sales of Fowl
§ 6.12.210. Sale or display prohibited.¶
No person shall display, sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any baby chicks, rabbits, ducklings or other fowl as pets or novelties, whether or not dyed, colored or otherwise artificially treated.
(Prior code § 7-11.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
§ 6.12.220. Prohibition limited.¶
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the display or sale of natural chicks, rabbits, ducklings or other fowl in proper facilities by dealers, hatcheries, producers or stores engaged in producing, distributing or selling the same to be consumed or raised for food purposes, and nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the exhibition of any fowl or animal at any fair, show or exhibit where such fowl or animals are displayed for commercial purposes and in the interests of improving agriculture or industry.
(Prior code § 7-11.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
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City of Norwalk, CA
ANIMALS
§ 6.16.010
§ 6.16.040
CHAPTER 6.16 LICENSES
Article I Dogs
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- Title 1
- Title 2
- Chapter 2.08 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.09 — CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS AND STAT…
- Chapter 2.10
- Chapter 2.12 — OFFICERS BONDS
- Chapter 2.16 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.18 — HOUSING AND BUILDING LOCAL APPEALS BOARD
- Chapter 2.20 — EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Chapter 2.24 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
- Title 3
- Chapter 3.16 — PURCHASING SYSTEM
- Chapter 3.28 — Chapter 3.32 UNIFORM LOCAL SALES AND USE UNIFOR…
- Chapter 3.04 — FISCAL PROCEDURES AND BUDGETING
- Chapter 3.08 — FUNDS
- Chapter 3.12 — CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST CITY
- Chapter 3.16 — PURCHASING SYSTEM
- Chapter 3.17 — PUBLIC PROJECTS
- Chapter 3.20 — BIDDING PROCEDURES
- Chapter 3.21
- Chapter 3.24 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 3.28 — UNIFORM LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.30 — TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.32 — UNIFORM TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.40
- Chapter 3.42 — APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS
- Title 5
- Chapter 5.60 — MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS REGULATIONS
- Chapter 5.04 — INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 5.08 — BUSINESS LICENSES GENERALLY
- Chapter 5.12 — AMUSEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT
- Chapter 5.16 — AUTOMOBILE REPOSSESSION
- Chapter 5.20 — BINGO
- Article I — General Provisions
- Article II
- Article III — Open Video Systems
- Article IV
- Article V — Definitions
- Article VI
- Chapter 5.28 — SPECIAL EVENTS AND BUSINESS EVENTS
- Chapter 5.32 — ESCORT BUREAUS
- Chapter 5.40 — MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION
- Chapter 5.44
- Chapter 5.48 — PUBLIC DANCING, DANCE HALLS AND DANCE CLUBS
- Chapter 5.52
- Article I — Purpose and Definitions
- Article II — Massage Establishment Permit
- Article III — Massage Technician Permit
- Article IV
- Chapter 5.56 — VEHICLES FOR HIRE
- Article I — Alcoholic Beverages
- Article II — Billiard Rooms and Pool Halls
- Article IV — Cocktail Lounges and Bars
- Article V — Handbill Distribution
- Article VI — Fortunetelling Activities
- Chapter 5.64 — SIDEWALK VENDING
- Title 6
- Chapter 6.12 — ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS GENERALLY
- Chapter 6.04 — INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 6.08 — DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
▸Chapter 6.12 — ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS GENERALLY
- Chapter 6.28 — DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS ANIMALS
- Title 8
- Chapter 8.52 — WATER CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 8.04 — COUNTY HEALTH CODE ADOPTED
- Chapter 8.08 — PUBLIC HEALTH LICENSES REGULATION ADOPTED
- Chapter 8.12 — ABANDONED AND INOPERABLE VEHICLES
- Chapter 8.16 — CAPPING OF ABANDONED WELLS
- Chapter 8.24 — GRAFFITI REMOVAL
- Chapter 8.28 — LITTER AND WEED CONTROL
- Chapter 8.32 — OBSCENE FILMS AND MOTION PICTURES
- Chapter 8.36 — PROPERTY NUISANCES
- Chapter 8.40 — SHOPPING CART IMPOUND
- Chapter 8.44 — PROHIBITION ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC RECREATIONAL A…
- Article I — In General
- Article III — Collector Agreement
- Article IV — Rates
- Article VII
- Article VIII — Residential Collection and Recycling
- Article IX — Commercial/Industrial Collection
- Article X
- Chapter 8.50 — ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
- Chapter 8.52
- Chapter 8.56 — VACANT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND SECURITY REQUIR…
- Chapter 8.60
- Title 9
- Chapter 9.04 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY
- Article II — Gambling and Certain Games
- Article IV — Fees for the Use of Sheriff Personnel
- Article V — Peddling Near Schools
- Article VI — Newsracks
- Chapter 9.08 — OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY
- Chapter 9.12 — CONSUMER PROTECTION
- Chapter 9.14 — GRAFFITI REDUCTION AND PREVENTION
- Chapter 9.16 — OFFENSES BY OR AGAINST MINORS
- Chapter 9.20 — CURFEW
- Chapter 9.24 — WEAPONS
- Chapter 9.26 — BAN ON SELF-SERVICE TOBACCO DISPLAYS
- Chapter 9.28
- Chapter 9.29 — CITY SKATE PARK FACILITIES
- Chapter 9.30 — SPEED CONTESTS OR EXHIBITIONS OF SPEED
- Chapter 9.31
- Title 10
- Chapter 10.12 — RESIDENTIAL PREFERENTIAL PARKING
- Chapter 10.16 — VEHICLE IMPOUND AND STORAGE FEES
- Chapter 10.04 — COUNTY TRAFFIC CODE ADOPTED
- Chapter 10.08 — PARKING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.09 — PARKING REGULATIONS FOR RECREATIONAL VEHICLES …
- Chapter 10.10
- Chapter 10.12 — RESIDENTIAL PREFERENTIAL PARKING
- Chapter 10.16 — VEHICLE IMPOUND AND STORAGE FEES
- Title 12
- Chapter 12.24 — NEWSRACKS
- Chapter 12.04 — IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS
- Chapter 12.08 — CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
- Article II — Alterations
- Article III — Painting Street and House Numbers
- Chapter 12.16 — OBSTRUCTIONS
- Chapter 12.20 — ENCROACHMENTS
- Chapter 12.24 — NEWSRACKS
- Chapter 12.28 — STREET VACATION
- Chapter 12.32 — TREES AND SHRUBS
- Chapter 12.36 — PARADES, ATHLETIC EVENTS AND ASSEMBLIES
- Chapter 12.40 — RECREATION AND PARKS
- Chapter 12.44 — CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 12.48
- Title 13
- Chapter 13.12 — COUNTY SANITARY SEWER AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE ORD…
- Article I — Administration of City Water Department
- Article II — Application for Water Service
- Article III — Installation, Maintenance and Inspection
- Article IV
- Article V
- Chapter 13.08 — CROSS CONNECTIONS
- Chapter 13.12
- Chapter 13.16 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY FACILITIES
- Article I — General Provisions and Definitions
- Article III
- Chapter 13.24 — REIMBURSEMENT FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
- Title 15
- Chapter 15.04 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
- Chapter 15.04 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.06 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 15.08 — FIRE CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
- Chapter 15.12 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 15.16 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.20 — SWIMMING POOL CODE
- Chapter 15.24 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.26 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 15.28 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.30 — GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15.32 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Chapter 15.36 — HOUSE NUMBERING
- Chapter 15.40 — STREET DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 15.44 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM
- Chapter 15.48 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 15.52 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS
- Chapter 15.54 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Title 16
- Chapter 16.01 — ADMINISTRATION
- Article II — Enforcement
- Article III — Vesting Tentative Map
- Article I — Exemptions and Waivers
- Chapter 16.03 — DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Article V
- Article VI — Voluntary Lot Mergers
- Article VII — Required Merger of Parcels
- Article I — Definitions and General Provisions
- Article I — Exemptions and Waivers
- Article II — Tentative Maps, Filing and Review Procedures
- Article III — Vesting Tentative Map
- Article IV — Final Maps
- Article V — Lot Line Adjustment
- Article VII — Required Merger of Parcels
- Article I — Dedications
- Title 17
- Chapter 17.05 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Article VI
- Chapter 17.06 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
- Chapter 17.07 — MANUFACTURING ZONES
- Chapter 17.08 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES
- Chapter 17.09 — SPECIFIC PLAN AREAS
- Article I — Specific Plan Area No. 1
- Article XII
- Article XIV — Specific Plan Area No. 14
- Article XV — Specific Plan Area No. 15
- Chapter 17.01 — ADMINISTRATION
- Article II — Establishment of Zones, and Limiting the Uses of …
- Article III — Permits, Licenses and Violations
- Article IV — Nonconforming Buildings and Uses
- Article I — Procedure, Hearing, Notices
- Article II — Consistency with Hazardous Waste Management Plan
- Article III — Acquisition and Use of Public-Owned Property
- Article IV — Administrative Approvals and Permits
- Article V — Discretionary Approvals and Permits
- Chapter 17.03 — DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Article II — Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements
- Article III — Signs
- Article IV — Structural and Site Requirements
- Article 0
- Article I — Specific Uses in Any Zone
- Article II — Specific Uses in Commercial and/or Manufacturing …
- Article III — Specific Uses in Residential Zones
- Article IV — Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
- Article V — General Standards
- Article VI — Mixed Use Developments
- Chapter 17.05 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Article II — R-2 Zone, Multi-Family Medium Density Residential…
- Article III — R-3 Zone, Multi-Family High Density Residential …
- Article IV — R-H Zone, Residential Horse Property Zone
- Article V — R-4 Zone, Multi-Family High Density Residential Zone
- Chapter 17.06 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
- Article II — C-3 Zone, General Commercial Zone
- Article III — C-M Zone, Commercial Manufacturing Zone
- Article IV — C and O Zone, Commercial and Office Zone
- Article V — P/O Zone, Professional/Office Zone
- Chapter 17.07 — MANUFACTURING ZONES
- Article II — M-2 Zone, Heavy Manufacturing Zone
- Chapter 17.08 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES
- Article II — P-F Zone, Public Facilities Overlay Zone
- Article III — O-S Zone, Open-Space Zone
- Article IV — I Zone, Institutional Zone
- Article V — L-W Overlay Zone, Live-Work Overlay Zone
- Article I — Specific Plan Area No. 1
- Article II — Specific Plan Area No. 2
- Article III — Specific Plan Area No. 3
- Article IV — Specific Plan Area No. 4
- Article V — Specific Plan Area No. 5
- Article VI — Specific Plan Area No. 6
- Article VII — Specific Plan Area No. 7
- Article VIII — Specific Plan Area No. 8
- Article IX — Specific Plan Area No. 9
- Article X — Specific Plan Area No. 10
- Article XI — Specific Plan Area No. 11
- Article XII — Specific Plan Area No. 12
- Article XIII — Specific Plan Area No. 13
- Article XIV — Specific Plan Area No. 14
- Article XV — Specific Plan Area No. 15
- Chapter 17.10 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT ZONES
- Article II — Planned Unit Development Zone No. 1
- Article III — Planned Unit Development Zone No. 2
- Article IV — Planned Unit Development Zone No. 3
- Chapter 17.11 — ZONING APPENDICES
- Title 18
- Chapter 18.04 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
- Title PCT
- Title OL