Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Art. XI Additional or Unusual Animal License

The additional or unusual animal license is established to permit the keeping or maintaining as a pet or for the personal utilization by members of the family residing on the premises the following:

(a) Wild or domestic animals not specifically classified which will not jeopardize, endanger or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety or general welfare, subject to any land use limitations, restrictions, or requirements imposed by Title 9 of this Code; and

(b) Domestic or wild animals exceeding the number of animals specified in Section 5.12.360 and 5.12.410, and except as may otherwise be restricted by Title 9 of this Code, which will not be materially detrimental to the use, enjoyment or valuation of property of other persons located in the vicinity of such site.

(Ord. No. 16-09, § 1, 1-11-2017)

Any person desiring an additional or unusual animal license may file an application, together with any fees established by the City of Mission Viejo, with the Director, except that no application shall be filed or accepted if final action has been taken within one year prior thereto by the Director on an application requesting the same, or substantially the same license.

(Ord. No. 16-09, § 1, 1-11-2017)

The Director shall grant an additional or unusual animal license when the following criteria are met:

(a) That the requested animal or animals at the location proposed will not jeopardize, endanger or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety or general welfare;

(b) That the proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the animal or animals requested without material detriment to the use, enjoyment or valuation of the property of other persons located in the vicinity of the site; and

(c) That the owner and/or custodian has complied with, and the maintenance of animals at the location proposed will comply with, any other applicable laws, including without limitation Title 9 of this Code.

The Director shall deny the application where the information submitted by the applicant fails to substantiate these criteria to the reasonable satisfaction of the Director.

(Ord. No. 16-09, § 1, 1-11-2017)

The Director, in approving an application for an additional or unusual animal license, may impose such reasonable conditions as are deemed necessary to ensure that such animals will be kept or maintained in accordance with the findings required by Section 5.12.1120 or the requirements of Section 5.12.060.

(Ord. No. 16-09, § 1, 1-11-2017)

(a) Each individual additional or unusual animal must be licensed under this Article. An additional or unusual animal license shall specify the number and types of animals authorized to be kept on the parcel, and shall contain any conditions deemed necessary by the Director.

(b) The additional or unusual animal license is non-transferable and must be renewed annually.

(c) Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this Chapter, regulations promulgated by the City of Mission Viejo, or conditions imposed by the Director shall constitute cause for denial or revocation of the license.

(Ord. No. 16-09, § 1, 1-11-2017)