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Title 6 — ANIMALS

Chapter 6.04 — DEFINITIONS

Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Palo Alto

6.04.020 Animal.

6.04.110 Unlicensed dog.

  • Editor's Note: This chapter was derived from prior code § 18.01, as originally adopted by Ordinance No. 1278.

6.04.010 Definitions generally.

For the purpose of this title, the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as set out in this chapter unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended. The present tense includes the past and future tense; each gender includes the other. The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.

(Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.020 Animal.

"Animal" means any animal, mammal, bird, reptile, fish, or any other dumb creature or any live vertebrate creature other than a human being.

(Ord. 3983 § 2, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.030 Animal center.

"Animal center" means the animal services and placement center.

(Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.040 Animal control officer.

"Animal control officer" means the superintendent of animal services and any employee of the city having custody and control of animal services and placement center and of animals therein and whose duties relate to the enforcement of the ordinances concerning animals.

(Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.050 Bird.

"Bird" means any bird of any age of either sex, including any exotic or domestic bird.

(Ord. 3983 § 3, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981)

6.04.060 Cat.

"Cat" means any cat of any age of either sex.

(Ord. 3983 § 4, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.070 Dog.

"Dog" means any dog of any age of either sex.

(Ord. 3983 § 5, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.080 Impounded.

"Impounded" means having been received into the custody of the animal center, animal control officer or any authorized agent or representative thereof, or any police officer of the city.

(Ord. 3983 § 6, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.090 Pet shop.

"Pet shop" means any person, firm, or corporation operating an establishment where live animals are kept for sale, for hire, or sold.

(Ord. 3983 § 7, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.100 Superintendent.

"Superintendent" means the superintendent of the animal services division or any person authorized to act in his behalf.

(Ord. 3983 § 8, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

6.04.110 Unlicensed dog.

"Unlicensed dog" means any dog over the age of four months upon which the current plate or tag provided for in this title is not attached.

(Ord. 3983 § 9, 1990: Ord. 3257 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 5 (part), 1972)

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▸Contents — Palo Alto Municipal Code
Palo Alto Municipal Code
  1. Article VIII — A. Board of Education
  2. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Title 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  4. Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
  5. Title 5 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  6. ▸Title 6 — ANIMALS
    Overview
    1. 6.04 Definitions
    2. 6.08 Administration and Enforcement
    3. 6.12 Impoundment
    4. 6.16 Dogs
    5. 6.20 Care and Keeping of Animals
    6. 6.22 Reserved
    7. 6.24 Stables
    8. 6.28 Dangerous and Wild Animals
    9. 6.32 Diseased and Crippled Animals
    10. 6.36 Sale of Animals
    11. Chapter 6.04 — DEFINITIONS
    12. Chapter 6.08 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
    13. Chapter 6.12 — IMPOUNDMENT
    14. Chapter 6.16 — DOGS
    15. Chapter 6.20 — CARE AND KEEPING OF ANIMALS
    16. Chapter 6.22 — RESERVED
    17. Chapter 6.24 — STABLES
    18. Chapter 6.28 — DANGEROUS AND WILD ANIMALS
    19. Chapter 6.32 — DISEASED AND CRIPPLED ANIMALS
    20. Chapter 6.36 — SALE OF ANIMALS
  7. Title 8 — TREES AND VEGETATION
  8. Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY
  9. Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
  10. Title 11 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROCEDURE
  11. Title 12 — PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
  12. Title 13 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
  13. Title 15 — FIRE PREVENTION
  14. Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  15. Title 17 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
  16. Title 18 — ZONING
  17. Title 19 — MASTER PLAN
  18. Article 7 — AUTHORITY FOR AND SCOPE OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLANS.
  19. Article 8 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLAN.
  20. Chapter 19.06 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  21. Chapter 19.10 — COORDINATED AREA PLANS
  22. Title 20 — PRECISE PLANS
  23. Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND
  24. Title 22 — PARKS

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