San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code Ch. 9.03 Dogs and Cats

(a) All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip.

(b) This provision shall not apply to:

(1) Dogs or cats for which a veterinarian licensed to practice within the state of California has issued a certificate indicating that such procedure would pose a serious risk to the health or life of the animal. Such certificate shall be issued in a form as prescribed by the division.

(2) Dogs or cats over eight years of age on January 1, 2022.

(c) Any dog or cat without a microchip impounded by the division shall be microchipped prior to redemption or adoption.

(Ord. No. 3498, 11-7-23)

(a) Except as provided by Section 9.03.003, no person may keep, harbor, or maintain more than three dogs, nor more than three cats, over the age of four months on any single lot, premises, dwelling, or living accommodation located within the county, nor may any person allow to be kept, harbored, or maintained more than three dogs, or more than three cats, over the age of four months on any single lot, premises, dwelling, or living accommodation controlled by them and located within the county.

(b) This section shall not apply to any duly permitted commercial animal operation.

(Ord. No. 3498, 11-7-23)

(a) The division may issue a permit for a variance to the limitations on animal keeping as established by Section 9.03.002. The issuance of such a permit shall be at the discretion of the chief animal control officer taking into consideration the following:

(1) The type and characteristics of the animals to be kept,

(2) The type and quality of housing or confinement provided for the animals,

(3) The ability of the owner to maintain the animals in a manner which minimizes undue impact on adjacent neighbors,

(4) Laws, ordinances, regulations and rules applicable to the keeping of animals at the subject location and

(5) Documentation or awareness of prior animal welfare problems or adverse neighborhood impacts related to the keeping or management of animals by the permit applicant.

(b) Permits for a variance to animal keeping limitations shall be issued for the calendar year, or any part thereof, for which the variance is sought. Each permit shall expire on December 31 of the current year, provided that such permit may be renewed without penalty on or before January 1 of the next year.

(c) The division may assess a fee for the issuance or the annual renewal of a permit for variance. No proration of the fee shall be made for new permit or renewal applications submitted after January 1, provided that permits issued for new applications submitted after October 1 shall be valid until December 31 of the following year.

(d) A penalty fee may be assessed for permit renewal applications submitted after January 31.

(Ord. No. 3498, 11-7-23)

(a) No person shall permit any unaltered cat owned, harbored, or controlled by him to roam at large.

(b) Any person finding a cat roaming at large may, at their own expense, have that animal spayed or neutered by a veterinarian.

(Ord. No. 3498, 11-7-23)

(a) No person shall permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be in or upon any public roadway, walkway, park or other public area unless securely restrained by a leash and under the direct control of a person competent to exercise full care, custody, and charge over such dog, or unless the dog is at a "heel" beside a person and obedient to that person's command.

(b) No person shall permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to trespass or be upon the private property of another without the express prior consent of the property owner or possessor.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable:

(1) To any dog actively engaged in the herding of livestock or hunting provided it is obedient to the commands of the person controlling them during these activities;

(2) Within the boundaries of any park or other public area specifically designated and authorized by the controlling agency as an off-leash recreational area for dogs; or

(3) Any registered service dogs or dogs associated with search and rescue or law enforcement.

(Ord. No. 3498, 11-7-23)

It shall be the duty of the division to seize and impound, in a lawful manner and subject to the provisions of this title, any dog found running at large.

(Ord. No. 3498, 11-7-23)

The owner or possessor of any private property may take up and deliver to the division, or detain for the division to pick up, any dog found running at large upon that property.

(Ord. No. 3498, 11-7-23)