Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 8.10 Dogs and Cats 1

1For statutory provisions regarding the authority of the city to impose license fees, see California Food and Agricultural Code § 30804 and California Government Code § 38792.

Except as provided hereinbelow, every person owning a dog over four months of age which is kept within the city shall obtain a license for such dog from the animal care and control officer, and shall pay the annual fee as set by the city council. This license shall be obtained within 30 days after the dog reaches the age of four months or within 30 days of becoming a resident of the city if a license is otherwise required under this chapter. Every dog license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be annual, expiring 12 months following the date of rabies vaccination. The procedure for renewal of a dog license shall be the same as for obtaining an original license. If the owner of any dog fails to make application for the renewal of a dog license prior to its expiration, such owner shall pay a penalty for late renewal, the amount of which shall be established by resolution of the city council.

A city license shall not be required:

A. For any dog having a valid license issued by another city or county when its owner has moved to the city of Sonoma in the preceding 12 calendar months; or

B. Any dog owned or in possession of a nonresident of the city which is to be maintained in the city for a period not exceeding 30 days; provided, that such dog has been vaccinated consistent with the requirements of this chapter and its owner presents proof of such vaccination upon demand. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).

A. No more than three dogs or three cats over the age of four months shall be permitted at a dwelling unit. Dogs or cats in greater numbers may be kept only in kennels lawfully established and maintained in places permitted by the zoning ordinance or in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to subsection (B) of this section.

B. Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, the chief of police may, after investigation of the circumstances, grant a permit to keep one dog or cat in addition to three dogs or three cats over the age of four months if he or she finds that the keeping of such additional dog or cat will not result in violation of other provisions of this title, or amount to a nuisance, or otherwise tend to impair the objectives of this title. This permit may be subject to conditions as deemed appropriate by the chief of police.

1. Applicants must submit a permit application to the chief of police and may submit additional documents or information in support of their application request.

2. If after investigation the chief of police denies the permit to keep an additional dog or cat, the reasons for denial will be provided in writing to the requesting party, who may appeal that decision. The appeal must be filed with the city clerk within seven calendar days after the denial of such permit. The appeal may be in the form of a letter or similar writing, and should contain specific statement of the ground(s) upon which the appeal is made.

3. All permits granted for more than three dogs or cats over the age of four months may be accompanied by such conditions as the chief of police may prescribe and may be revoked by the chief of police upon determination by the chief of a violation of any permit condition after notice and hearing pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8.04 SMC.

4. Requests for permits under this section filed after the additional animals in question are already in residence at the premises in question must be accompanied by a fee to be set by city council. In lieu of paying such fee, the owner of the animals may remove the additional animals from the premises or consent to the impoundment of the additional animals at the owner’s expense pending completion of the permitting process. This section does not apply in situations where the owner moved into the city of Sonoma within the preceding 12 calendar months and can show proof that four or more dogs or cats were properly licensed in the jurisdiction in which they previously lived.

5. Any appeal of the decision to deny a permit application or to revoke an existing permit shall be heard by the animal hearing officer. Upon receipt of an appeal, the animal hearing officer shall hold a public hearing in accordance with the notice and hearing provisions of Chapter 8.04 SMC. All determinations of the animal hearing officer shall be final. The filing of appeal shall stay all administration action, except in cases where life or property is endangered. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).

Pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30801) of Division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the animal care and control officer is designated to issue dog licenses under this chapter. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).

A prerequisite to the issuance of a dog license under this chapter is the presentation of a certificate of vaccination signed by a veterinarian showing one of the following for the dog to be licensed:

A. That such dog has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine and the period of time from the date of vaccination to the date of expiration of the license being issued does not exceed the interval of time prescribed by the State Department of Health for revaccination.

B. That such dog should not be vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine because such vaccination may jeopardize the health of the dog due to infirmity or other disability. Where a certificate of vaccination shows that a dog should not be vaccinated due to infirmity or other disability, the nature of the infirmity or other disability and the estimated date of termination thereof shall be shown on the face of the certificate to the satisfaction of the animal services director or his designee. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).

A. An annual dog license fee set by resolution of the city council shall be imposed upon every dog four months and older which is kept in the city by any person who is the owner as provided in SMC 8.10.010. If a certificate is presented from a licensed veterinarian that the dog has been spayed or neutered, the annual license fee shall be reduced by 50 percent. The license fee is due and payable on the day upon which the dog is four months old, or as otherwise provided in SMC 8.10.010.

B. If the owner of any dog fails to make application for a dog license within 30 days after receipt of notice from the animal care and control officer to obtain a license, such owner shall pay a penalty for late licensing; the penalty amount shall be established by city council resolution. The penalty shall be paid in addition to the license fee required in this section. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).

A. License fees shall be waived for any guide or service dog in service to a specific disabled person; provided, however, that a license tag is required to be worn by all such dogs to aid in reuniting them should they become lost, strayed or stolen. License fees shall be waived for police dogs owned and used by police department or law enforcement officers exclusively for police work if all other requirements for licensing under this chapter are met.

B. License fees may include a reduced rate for dogs owned by persons 62 years of age or older if all other requirements for licensing under this chapter are met. This section shall apply to the first dog license issued to the applicant.

C. The animal care and control officer shall require such proof of qualification as deemed necessary prior to waiving or reducing the license fee for any dog. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).

The dog owner shall secure the tag to a collar, harness or similar device attached to the dog for which the license tag was issued. The dog owner shall ensure that the dog wears such a license tag at all times in the city, except when the dog is confined to the owner’s property, in a commercial kennel, hobby kennel, or veterinary facility, or the dog is being exhibited at a show, field trial or other competition. The identification tag shall be shown by the owner at any time upon demand by the animal care and control officer. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by Chapter 1.12 SMC. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).

In case the metallic dog license tag for any dog licensed under this chapter is lost or destroyed, a replacement tag for such dog shall be procured from the animal care and control officer within 30 days after the loss or destruction. Upon receiving proof of loss, made in writing, and upon payment of a replacement fee, which shall be set by resolution of the city council, the animal care and control officer shall issue a replacement tag to the owner. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by Chapter 1.12 SMC. (Ord. 05-2012 § 2, 2012).