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Title 6 — ANIMALS

Chapter 6.08 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

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

6.08.010 Animal center established.

An animal center, which shall be located at a place to be designated from time to time by the city manager, is hereby authorized and established.

(Ord. 2669 § 6 (part), 1972: prior code § 18.02)

6.08.020 Badge of animal control officer - Interference with animal control officer.

(a) Animal control officers appointed by the city manager shall possess, while engaged in the discharge of their duties, badges plainly designating their office; except, that when any police officers act as an animal control officer his badge as police officer shall be sufficient.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to hinder, molest, resist or interfere with the animal control officer in the performance of his official duties or to physically attempt to release the animals in his custody.

(Ord. 3257 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 6 (part), 1972: prior code § 18.03)

6.08.030 Enforcement.

Upon the issuance of an animal control officer badge, the recipient thereof shall be duly sworn in as a public officer or employee of the city, as authorized by the Penal Code, and is charged with the duty of enforcing this code and all ordinances of the city and the penal laws of the state relating to the care, treatment or impounding of dumb animals or for the prevention of cruelty thereto. Such recipient shall not be deemed to be a member of the police department of the city but shall function under the direction and supervision of the superintendent of the animal center.

(Ord. 3257 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 6 (part), 1972: prior code § 18.04)

6.08.040 Authority to enter premises.

For the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by Section6.08.030, animal control officers and the police of the city are authorized and directed to enter upon and inspect. in accordance with the procedures provided by law, any premises upon which any animal is kept or harbored, and to demand the person owning or having charge or control of the animal to exhibit such animal and its license tag, rabies certificate, or permit if a license, certificate, or permit is required by this title.

(Ord. 3257 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 2669 § 6 (part), 1972: prior code § 18.05)

6.08.050 Impoundment duties.

It shall be the duty of animal control officers and of the police officers of the city when the animal control officers are not on duty, to take up and immediately deliver to the animal center those animals which are directed to be taken up and impounded by this title or which are found or kept contrary to the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 2669 § 6 (part), 1972: prior code § 18.06)

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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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