Sec. 5-17. - Administrative regulations.

The director may from time to time adopt and promulgate administrative regulations in conformity with this chapter and state law for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Every proposed regulation, proposed revised regulation, or regulation proposed to be rescinded shall be posted in the office of the county clerk and on a bulletin board in a public area at the county animal shelter for at least fifteen (15) days, together with a notice that the public may submit written comments for the director's consideration not later than the 30th day following the posting of notice. Each such proposed regulation, proposed revised regulation, or regulation proposed to be rescinded and the accompanying notice shall also be mailed to any person who has filed a request with the director for notice of regulatory actions by the director. The director shall consider comments submitted and may withdraw, adopt, or repeal the regulation or revised regulation as proposed or as revised following the comment period. Adoption or rescission shall take place not less than fifteen (15) nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days following the close of the comment period, and each regulation or revised regulation adopted or rescinded shall be effective upon posting and mailing as hereinbefore provided. Such regulations shall be periodically compiled and copies thereof made available to the public for purchase at cost or review free of charge at the county animal shelter. Every regulation adopted pursuant to this section shall have the same force and effect as provisions of this chapter and compliance therewith shall be a prerequisite to the issuance and continued validity of any license or registration provided for in this chapter. Failure by any person to comply with any regulation adopted pursuant to this section shall be a violation of this chapter. This section shall not be construed to impose any new or additional notice requirements for regulations adopted by the director by any procedure prior to the effective date of this section.