San Clemente Municipal Code Ch. 6.44 Private Kennels, Animal Refuges, Animal Rescue Operations, and Specialty…

A permit is required of any person owning or having custody of:

A. Four or more licensed dogs or cats four months of age or older;

B. Any specialty animal; or

C. Any combination thereof.

Such persons shall file an application for a private kennel/cattery/animal refuge permit with the authority in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Any permit issued under this chapter is subject to compliance with all applicable state statutes and regulations.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Specialty animals, in addition to any other requirements of this title, shall be subject to the following:

A. The lot on which specialty animals are kept complies with the minimum lot size for the Zoning Code within which it is located and any other applicable zoning requirements, including, but not limited to, those found in section 17.16.060 of this code;

B. Specialty animals are kept secured on-site under humane and sanitary conditions with adequate food, water, and shelter; and

C. Pens, roosts, hutches, etc., for the animals are located at least 100 feet from the nearest adjacent structure.

(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 chapter as provided by resolution of the city council served by the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

The holder of a private kennel/cattery or animal refuge shall keep available for inspection his or her permit and a record of all animals by name, breed, sex, color and age. In addition, he or she shall post in a visible place the name, address and telephone number of a family member with a different address, a veterinarian, or other party who can be contacted in case of emergency, to assume the care of the animals on the premises.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Each application for a private license or permit required by this chapter shall be in writing upon a form to be furnished by the authority, and shall contain such information as the authority shall require.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Registration privileges for private kennels/catteries/animal refuges shall be revoked in all cases whose registrants are found guilty by a court of:

A. Inhumane and cruel treatment of animals;

B. Violations of health and sanitation codes;

C. Willful failure to notify owners of presence of their lost animals, to check for identification marks such as registered tattoos, refusal to return duly identified animals to their rightful owners;

D. Failure to comply with mandatory vaccination or neutering provisions or implementation of other approved birth control measures for any animals prior to their release to new owners;

E. Violation of noise and nuisance ordinances; or

F. False statement(s) on their application forms.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Compliance with this chapter is required, regardless of prior status under this title or any other city ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation. All animals lawfully licensed and maintained under the provisions of this chapter shall be permitted to live out their natural lifespan at the permitted location, except for good cause shown. The general manager shall have the authority, in his or her sole discretion, to grant a grace period to any person or entity that was in compliance with previous versions of this title of up to one year from the date this provision becomes effective for compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)