South Lake Tahoe Municipal Code Art. VI Kennel Regulations

No person shall own or operate a kennel unless and until a permit therefor, as required by the terms hereof, has been obtained and is held in full force and effect. Such permit requirement shall be in addition to any and all other permits and licenses required by the terms of this code.

(Ord. 467 § 3; Code 1997 § 6-42)

Application for a kennel permit shall be made to the director of health services. Such application shall contain the following information, together with any further information which the director may require:

A. A copy of a properly issued use permit.

B. A plan of the proposed kennel, including but not limited to a description of animal rooms and cages, a description of animal runs and a description of the fencing proposed for use.

C. An identification of the supervisory personnel to be responsible for the management of such facility and a description of the background and experience of such personnel in the operation of a kennel or related facility.

(Ord. 467 § 3; Code 1997 § 6-43)

Each applicant for a permit hereunder shall be accompanied by a fee, established pursuant to SLTCC § 4.05.080, which shall be nonrefundable.

(Ord. 467 § 3; Ord. 692 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-44)

The director of health services shall authorize the issuance of or deny the issuance of any permit applied for on or before the thirtieth day from the date of application. The director shall issue a permit in the event that it is determined that the operation of a kennel as proposed would comply with each of the terms of SLTCC § 4.05.630 and would meet the minimum standards for animal rooms and cages as established by the director. If, on the other hand, it is determined that such proposed operation would fail to comply with the terms of SLTCC § 4.05.040 or would not meet the minimum standards for animal rooms and cages as established by the director, the director shall deny the issuance of such permit. In addition to those grounds for denial set forth herein, such director shall deny the issuance of any permit sought pursuant to an application which contains false or misleading information. Further, such director shall deny the issuance of any permit to a person who has been guilty of the criminal charge of cruelty to animals.

(Ord. 467 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-45)

The director of health services shall revoke any permit held by a person who is found to have violated the terms of SLTCC § 4.05.630. Further, such director shall revoke any permit held by a person who is found to be guilty of the criminal charge of cruelty to animals.

(Ord. 467 § 3; Code 1997 § 6-46)

No person shall apply for the issuance of a permit hereunder within a period of six months following the date of denial or revocation of a kennel permit.

(Ord. 467 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-47)

No person shall operate a kennel unless:

A. The kennel structure is maintained in a sound condition.

B. The kennel structure is maintained in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition.

C. All animals in such kennel are maintained in a clean condition.

D. All animals in such kennel are supplied with wholesome food and water often as the habits of the respective animals required.

E. All animals in such kennel are apparently healthy and free from any communicable disease.

F. The kennel structure is properly ventilated and heated.

(Ord. 467 § 3; Code 1997 § 6-48)

The director of health services or the director's agent shall have the right to inspect the premises of any kennel permitted to operate hereunder. Refusal by a permit holder to permit inspection of such premises shall constitute grounds for the revocation of any permit issued.

(Ord. 467 § 3; Code 1997 § 6-49)

No person shall keep, maintain or allow to be kept or maintained livestock, including but not limited to cattle, sheep or domestic fowl on any premises or property within the city unless fencing in and upon such property is adequate, in the judgment of the animal control officer, to keep such animals from straying or escaping onto public property within the city from the private property upon which they are located. Such a judgment on the part of the animal control officer does not constitute architectural or design approval for such fencing if otherwise required by city code.

(Ord. 548 § 6; Code 1997 § 6-49.1)

Any person violating any provision of this chapter is guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine as set forth below:

A. Upon conviction of the first offense in one year, $50.00.

B. Upon conviction of a second offense in the same year, $100.00.

C. For the conviction of a third offense and all subsequent offenses in any one year, $200.00.

Every person violating any provision or provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion thereof during which such violation or violations continues, and each such violation or violations shall be punishable as provided above.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Ord. 467 § 4; Ord. 548 § 7; Code 1997 § 6-50)

A. Recipients of notice to appear citations issued for violation of SLTCC § 4.05.230 relating to stray animals shall have the right to request a trial by written declaration through the El Dorado County municipal court to avoid the necessity of a personal appearance in court in the event they choose to contest the citation.

B. In any case where such a request is made, the defendant shall obtain the requisite request form(s) from the municipal court clerk and shall post the bail imposed through issuance of the citation at the time the form is submitted to the court.

C. The court shall review all written statements and evidence submitted, will render its decision and will notify the defendant of the verdict rendered.

D. Bail posted pursuant to subsection (B) of this section shall be refunded in the event a not guilty verdict is rendered. In the event a guilty verdict is rendered, bail shall be applied to the fine imposed.

E. All trial by written declaration proceedings shall be subject to the rules of court established by El Dorado County and/or the state of California, which may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. 802 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-51)