San Bernardino County Municipal Code Ch. 12 Catteries

For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall be used:

CAT. All domesticated felines belonging to the genus Felis catus.

CATTERY. A place where five or more cats are kept. The term CATTERY shall not apply to animal shelters operated by governmental agencies, nor shall it apply to veterinary hospitals. Any CATTERY shall be in the proper A-I, A-2, DL, or M-I zone. In the A-I, DL and M-I zones, a location and development application involving a public hearing before the County Planning Commission must first be filed and approved by said Commission. In A-2 zone, the cattery is considered as a permitted use, not requiring the approval of a Location and Development Application. A CATTERY is subdefined as follows:

(1) BREEDING CATTERY. A cattery in which more than four cats are kept for the primary purpose of breeding.

(2) BOARDING CATTERY. A cattery in which cats owned by persons other than the cattery owner/operator are being cared for.

(3) BOARDING AND BREEDING CATTERY. A cattery in which cats are kept for boarding, breeding, marketing or other purposes.

(4) PRIVATE CATTERY. A place wherein more than four but not exceeding five cats three months of age or older, all belonging to the same owner and kept or maintained as pets within the premises or residence of owner for his pleasure and enjoyment. No breeding in which the kittens are intended for sale or other commercial purpose must be done.

HEALTH OFFICER. The San Bernardino County Health Officer, or any other person duly authorized to act on his or her behalf.

(Ord. 1868, passed - -1973; Am. Ord. 3908, passed - -2004; Am. Ord. 4473, passed - -2024)

Every person, firm, or corporation engaged in the operation, control, or management of a cattery as herein defined, shall obtain a permit to operate from the County Health Officer, and shall pay an annual fee as follows: For a cattery having the number of cats indicated, the fees shown in the County Fee Schedule shall apply for the following types and sizes of catteries:

(Ord. 1868, passed - -1973)

(a) All cats in a private or commercial cattery shall be confined and not allowed to run at large.

(b) Adequate housing shall be provided for the protection of cats from the elements.

(c) The building within which cats are to be housed shall be provided with adequate ventilation and lighting, and shall be constructed so as to be easily kept clean and sanitary at all times. Adequate ventilation shall be that which minimizes drafts, avoids offensive odors, and prevents moisture condensation. Cat odors shall not be allowed to persist inside the building.

(d) Adequate heating shall be provided for in the winter.

(e) Cat cages shall be within an enclosed building and shall be of suitable construction, e.g. fiberglass or stainless steel or other material that will prevent the escape of the animal through destruction of material of which cage is made of, and at the same time permits easy cleaning. The minimum floor space of each cage shall be three square feet for each adult cat. Each cage shall be at least two feet in height. No more than two adult cats used for breeding shall be placed inside each cage.

(f) Inside runs shall be so constructed that a minimum space of three square feet is provided per cat, and that the maximum number of cats to be housed in each pen shall not exceed five. Wire netting used between pens shall be such that the cats cannot put their feet through the wire netting spaces. If dividers are of solid construction, this shall be of uniform material and make. Enclosures shall be constructed so as to enable the animals to remain dry and clean.

(g) Each pen shall be provided with a cat scratching post.

(h) Cat resting or sleeping shelves shall be provided and shall be uniform and approved construction.

(i) All cats shall be provided with sufficient clean litter to contain excreta and these shall be disposed of daily in a manner approved by the Health Officer. Adequate provision shall be made for the disposal of dead animals which shall be satisfactory to the Health Officer.

(j) Boarded cats shall be caged or penned individually and separated by a floor to ceiling solid partition, unless they belong to the same owner, in which case they may stay together provided there is adequate space.

(k) The operator of every cattery shall be responsible to take the appropriate preventive measures to preclude outbreaks of infectious and contagious diseases as well as external parasites, among the cats.

(l) Adequate disinfection shall be provided. Beddings shall be cleaned and laundered at the end of each boarding period prior to use by another cat.

(m) Provisions shall be made for convenience access to clean food and water. Food and water containers shall be kept clean and sanitary. Animal feed shall be properly stored and protected from contamination and vermin infestation.

(Ord. 1868, passed - -1973; Am. Ord. 4473, passed - -2024)

Catteries in operation prior to adoption of this Chapter, whether operated in conjunction with a dog kennel or not, shall be subject to the provisions of these regulations immediately upon adoption or this Chapter.

(Ord. 1868, passed - -1973)

The Health Officer shall have the authority to enter upon any area or premises in which a cattery is located, for the purposes of investigating a violation or suspected violation as well as for enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter.

(Ord. 1868, passed - -1973)

The Health Officer shall have the power, upon giving of ten days’ notice by United States mail to any permittee under this Chapter, to revoke any permit granted to a cattery operator for any violation of this Chapter. The permittee may within said ten-day period, demand a hearing for reconsideration of the revocation. The reconsideration shall be determined by a different deputy from the deputy who first acted upon the revocation.

(Ord. 1868, passed - -1973)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than 100 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. 1868, passed - -1973)