Chapter 9.16 — DOG LICENSES1

1 Editor’s Note: For statutory provisions regarding the authority of a city to impose license fees, see Gov. Code

§ 38792.

Every person owning a dog which is harbored within the city shall obtain a license as follows:

A. Within thirty days after the dog reaches the age of four months.

B. Within thirty days of becoming a resident of the city if a license is otherwise required under this section.

(Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

The provisions of Section 9.16.010 shall not apply to any of the following:

A. Any dog brought into the city for the purpose of participating in any show, exhibition, Leld trial or competition

scheduled not more that thirty days thereafter;

B. Any dog brought into the city for the purpose of receiving veterinary care in a veterinary hospital, providing

that the dog is conLned at all times to the hospital;

C. Any dog owned or in the possession of a nonresident of the city which is to be maintained in the city for a

period not exceeding thirty days;

D. Any guide or service dog actually being used to assist a blind, hearing impaired or otherwise physically

disabled person.

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 9 Animal Regulations | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 22 of 44

(Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

The license fee and any late registration charges shall be in the amount established by city council resolution. The

license shall be issued to the dog owner upon payment of the current license fee and proof of current rabies

vaccination. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

No refunds shall be made on any dog or cat license because of the death of or other loss of the dog, or the owner

leaving the city before the expiration of the license. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

All initial licenses shall be issued for a period commencing on the date of issuance and shall expire on the

anniversary date that the rabies vaccination was administered. Renewals are due within thirty days of the

anniversary date of the rabies vaccination. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

No license shall be issued unless evidence of current rabies vaccination is presented to animal services, unless the

dog is exempted from the vaccination requirements by the laws of this state. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

A permanent metallic license tag shall be issued with the initial dog license. The tag shall bear an identiLcation

number. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

The dog owner and/or possessor shall secure the tag to a collar, harness or similar device attached to the dog for

which the license tag was issued. The dog owner and/or possessor shall ensure that the dog wears such a license

tag at all times except when the dog is being exhibited at Leld, obedience or other shows or exhibitions. (Ord.

2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 9 Animal Regulations | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 23 of 44

Whenever a license tag is lost or damaged, the owner shall apply for and secure a replacement from animal

services upon payment of the prescribed fee. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

License tags shall not be transferred from one dog to another. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

The address of the owner is presumed to be the address where the dog is kept. The owner of a licensed dog shall

report any change of address to animal services no later than thirty days following a change of address. The owner

of a licensed dog shall report the transfer of ownership or custody of the dog no later than thirty days after the

change occurs. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

The owner and/or possessor of the dog shall retain the printed dog license for the year it was issued for inspection

upon request by animal services. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

The animal control oNcer may take up and impound any dog which is oO the premises of its owner without a

current license tag on its collar, harness or other device. The animal control oNcer shall not impound any dog

which is exempted from the license/tag requirements by this Chapter 9.16. (Ord. 2185 NCS §2, 2004.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 9 Animal Regulations | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 24 of 44