Santa Clara Municipal Code Ch. 6.40 Dangerous and Exotic Animals

(a) No person shall keep, have, maintain, sell, trade or let for hire a dangerous or exotic animal without first obtaining a permit from the Administrator. The application for a permit, permit conditions, inspection, denial, revocation and appeal shall be the same as set forth in SCCC § 6.35.020, § 6.35.030 and § 6.35.050 through § 6.35.090.

(b) No permit shall be required of any zoo, university, college, governmental research agency, duly incorporated Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), humane society or animal control agency under the direction of the City, or other bona fide scientific institution, as determined by the Administrator, engaging in scientific or public health research. For the purposes of this title, a zoo shall be considered any organization that exhibits animals to the general public at regular specified hours, equaling at least thirty (30) hours a week for thirty-six (36) weeks a year, and whose animals, whether maintained for exhibit purposes or not, are not for sale to private individuals.

(c) The owner of a dangerous or exotic animal shall post at the entrances to the property where the animal is kept with a legible sign at least twelve (12) inches square, warning persons of a dangerous animal.

(Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-2011)

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Administrator may deny or revoke a permit to keep or maintain any dangerous or exotic animal when, in his or her opinion:

(1) Any such animal may not be kept or maintained without endangering the safety of any person(s) or property; or

(2) The keeping of the animal would constitute a public nuisance; or

(3) The animal would be subject to suffering, neglect, cruelty or abuse.

(b) The Administrator, in his/her discretion, may require any such animal to be properly caged, tethered or restrained in zoo-type facilities that meet or are in addition to, or more restrictive than, State guidelines issued under the provisions of Section 671.3 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations and Federal standards issued under Chapter 1 of Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the keeping of dangerous or exotic animals where zoning provisions or State law would prohibit such keeping.

(Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-2011)

The fee for a permit to keep or maintain one or more dangerous or exotic animals shall be set by the City Council and shall be valid for a twelve (12) month term. The permit shall expire and be renewable as set forth in SCCC § 6.35.040.

(Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-2011)