San Clemente Municipal Code Ch. 6.10 Animal Licenses

Every person who resides with the jurisdiction of the city who owns or has custody of any dog four months of age or older shall ensure said dog is licensed with the authority pursuant to this chapter. Guard (sentry) dogs are not excepted. Each such guard (sentry) dog must be individually licensed and each dog shall be wearing its license securely fastened to a collar or harness whether or not the dog is kenneled within the cities served by the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Application for licensing must be made within 30 days after taking possession of a dog that is four months of age or older, or within 30 days of establishing residence within the cities served by the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

No dog shall be licensed without proof of approved rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination certificates must be signed by licensed veterinarian and be valid for the entire registration period.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Licenses shall be issued for a period of one, two or three years. The license period shall not extend beyond the remaining period of validity for the current rabies vaccination and, if a dog is exempted from the vaccination requirement, the license period shall not extend beyond one year.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

A fee not to exceed the cost of authority services relating to dogs, shall be paid to the authority for each license required by this title as provided by resolution of the city councils served by the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

No license fee shall be required for the following:

A. Guide dogs for the blind;

B. Dogs honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States;

C. Dogs in the care, custody and control of nonresidents who are traveling through, or temporarily staying in the city for a period not exceeding 30 days, or dogs temporarily brought into the city for the purpose of being entered in a dog show or exhibition, provided such dogs are so entered and not kept elsewhere;

D. Dogs used in crime detection or apprehension by police officers;

E. Dogs housed in duly licensed animal shelter or commercial animal rescue shop prior to adoption; or

F. Dogs maintained in an approved research institution or kennel, provided said dog is owned by the owner or operator of said research institution or kennel.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

The owner shall state at the time application is made, and upon standard printed forms of application provided for such purpose, his or her name, address, telephone number, and the name, breed, color, age and sex of each animal for which application is made.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Upon collection of the license fee, a dated receipt shall be issued stating the name, address and telephone number of the owner, tag number, description of the animal, and the expiration date of the rabies vaccination, together with a license tag stamped with a serial number and name of the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Each dog required to be licensed shall wear at all times the current license tag assigned to that dog, except when the dog is: (a) physically confined within the premises of the owner or other person authorized to have custody; (b) confined in a vehicle or cage; (c) participating in any dog exhibition, field trial or competition; or (d) confined in a licensed kennel or veterinary hospital, in which case the license tag number shall be recorded and placed nearby so that it is readily identifiable with the dog to which it belongs; or if not licensed, that fact shall be clearly indicated on the facility's records. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be construed to relieve the necessity of having a current tag for each dog.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

A license tag shall not be removed from any dog without the consent of the owner thereof.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

In case any license tag is lost or destroyed, replacement may be obtained upon showing such proof as may be required and upon payment of the replacement fee.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Licenses not purchased or renewed within 30 days after expiration, or the date on which they become due, shall be considered delinquent and a late fee as determined by the authority shall be added to the cost of the new license. An additional fee may be added by the general manager should the license be delinquent by over 180 days. The general manager or authorized agent may waive the above late fee if he or she determines the applicant made a reasonable effort to comply with the above deadline.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Cats over four months of age may, but are not required to, be licensed with the authority in the same manner in which dogs are licensed. Cats must have current rabies vaccination valid for the entire one year registration period. The obtaining of such a license shall be optional on the part of the owner.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Every person shall, upon demand by any person charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter, exhibit any current rabies vaccination certificate or dog or cat license tag issued to said person pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Animal licenses are not transferrable or refundable.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

No person shall make use of or have in his or her possession a stolen, counterfeit or forged dog or cat license receipt, dog or cat license tag, rabies vaccination certificate, anti-rabies inoculation-deferment form, or other form issued in accordance with this title.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

It is unlawful for any person to attach any current license tag to any dog or cat, which tag was not issued for said dog or cat, or to counterfeit or imitate a dog tag, or to attach a counterfeit or imitation tag to any dog or cat; and it is unlawful for any person to make any false statement as to any fact required in connection with the securing and issuance of a dog or cat tag.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

The most current poster provided by the authority communicating the requirement of dogs to be licensed pursuant to Section 6.10.010 shall be posted in a prominent and conspicuous location for view by customers in any fixed commercial establishment where goods or services are specifically provided to dogs, including, but not limited to, veterinary offices, veterinary hospitals, day or overnight boarding, dog wash, dog grooming, dog training, and pet stores.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)