Torrance Municipal Code Art. 1 Keeping of Animals

(Amended by O-3801)

a) "Animal" means any living being that is not human or vegetable.

b) "Small animal" as used in this Article means a cat, dog or rabbit.

c) "Unusual pets" as used in this Article means any animal not including cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, guinea pig, white rat, mouse, squirrel, canary, parakeet, cockatoo, or any animal usually considered a pet; provided, that farm type animals will not be considered as pets, with the exception of hens with the approval of a special animal permit as provided for in Section 41.11.010. Roosters are farm type animals and will not be considered as pets.

d) For the purpose of this Chapter, "tethering" is defined as the tying by rope or chain, or the like by which an animal is so fastened to a stake, pole, tree or otherwise, so that it can range only within certain limits.

(Amended by O-3397; O-3801)

The following uses are unlawful and a public nuisance:

a) Keeping or maintaining more than three (3) small animals of any one (1) kind or an aggregate total of four (4) small animals which are kept, harbored or maintained after the weaning period of not to exceed nine (9) weeks on property used for residential purposes except as otherwise permitted in this Code and except with a special permit from the Director of Community Development as provided in Section 41.11.010.

b) Keeping or maintaining animals which create objectionable odors or noises, if said odors or noises are substantially detrimental to adjacent residential units or properties. Such maintaining or keeping will be substantially detrimental to residential units or properties if:

1. Said odors or noises if they in fact unreasonably interfere with the comfortable or peaceful use of said property; or

2. Cause a substantial diminution to adjoining property value or prevent its development; or

3. Constitute a health hazard because of its generation, attraction or perpetuation of bacteria or vermin.

c) Keeping or maintaining farm type animals, with the exception of hens with the approval of a special animal permit as provided for in Section 41.11.010. Roosters are farm type animals and are not exempt from this provision.

(Amended by O-3825)

a) If upon investigation Animal Control or Community Development determines that a nuisance exists, as defined in Section 41.1.2, they shall notify the owner of the property by registered letter within ten (10) days of such determination that the owner must either:

1. Abate the nuisance within a time period to be specified by Animal Control or Community Development; or

2. That the owner must show cause why the nuisance should not be abated at a hearing before the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission to be specified by Animal Control or Community Development.

b) In the event the nuisance is not abated within the time period set by Animal Control or Community Development, the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission shall conduct a hearing at the time and place previously specified by Animal Control or Community Development to determine whether the use in question is a nuisance pursuant to Section 41.1.2, and whether such nuisance should be abated. At the hearing the property owner shall have the opportunity to be heard, to present evidence and to be represented by counsel if he or she chooses.

c) Upon completion of the hearing, if the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission determines that a nuisance exists, it may either:

1. Order the nuisance abated within a period of time to be set by the Commission; or

2. Set conditions, which if complied with will remove the use from being a nuisance.

No person shall harbor or keep any wild animal within the City except for the purpose of exhibition and then only with the written consent of the Poundmaster and Chief of Police and in accordance with any conditions which they deem necessary or proper therefor. If any wild animal found running at large cannot be safely taken up and impounded, such animal may be slain forthwith by the Poundmaster or any police or health officer of the City.

No person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit, or allow the same to be or to run at large upon any street, lane, alley, court or other public place, or upon any private property or premises, other than those of the person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dogs, unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person.

(Amended by O-3825)

It is unlawful and a nuisance for unusual pets to be kept, harbored or maintained within the City without the written approval of Community Development or Animal Control with right of appeal to the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission.

a) It is unlawful for the owner or person having custody of any dog to fail to immediately remove and dispose of in a sanitary manner, by placing in a closed or sealed container and depositing in a trash receptacle, any feces deposited by such dog upon public or private property not owned or controlled by the owner or person having custody of such dog.

b) Any person who has charge or control of any dog in a location other than on property owned or controlled by such person or on the property of the owner of the dog shall have in his or her possession a suitable wrapper, bag or container for the purpose of complying with the requirements of this Section. Failure of any person to carry such wrapper, bag or container when in charge or control of any dog in a location other than on property owned or controlled by said person, or on the property of the owner of the dog, shall constitute a violation of this Section. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a blind person being accompanied by a guide dog.

It is unlawful for any person to tether horses or cattle within the City.

It is declared a nuisance for any person to tether, or cause to be tethered, horses or cattle within the City.