Twentynine Palms Municipal Code Ch. 8.12 Commercial Kennels and Catteries

The following words and phrases shall, for the purposes of this chapter, be defined as follows, unless it is clearly apparent from the context that another meaning is intended.

(a) "Cat" means a domestic cat of the species felis domestica, including its young or kittens.

(b) "Cattery" means a place where five (5) or more cats are kept. The term cattery shall not apply to animal shelters operated by governmental agencies nor shall it apply to veterinary hospitals.

Any cattery shall be in the proper A-1, A-2, DL, or M-1 zone. In the A-1, DL and M-1 zones, a Location and Development Application involving a public hearing before the County Planning Commission must first be filed and approved by said Commission. In A-2 zone, the cattery is considered as a permitted use, not requiring the approval of a Location and Development Application.

A cattery is subdefined as follows:

(1) "Breeding Cattery" means a cattery in which more than four (4) cats are kept for the primary purpose of breeding.

(2) "Boarding Cattery" means a cattery in which cats owned by persons other than the cattery owner/operator are being care for.

(3) "Boarding and Breeding Cattery" means a cattery in which cats are kept for boarding, breeding, marketing or other purposes.

(4) "Private Cattery" means a place wherein more than four (4) but not exceeding five (5) cats, three (3) months of age or older, all belonging to the same owner, and kept or maintained as pets within the premises or residence of the owner for his pleasure and enjoyment. No breeding in which the kittens are intended for sale or other commercial purpose must be done.

(c) "Kennel" means a place where five (5) or more dogs over four (4) months of age are kept. The term "kennel" shall not apply to animal shelters operated by governmental agencies, non-profit societies for the care of stray dogs or veterinary hospitals.

A kennel is subdefined as follows:

(1) "Breeding Kennel" means a kennel in which dogs are kept for the primary purpose of breeding.

(2) "Boarding Kennel" means a kennel in which dogs owned by persons other than the kennel owner/operator are being cared for.

(3) "Boarding and Breeding Kennel" means a kennel in which dogs are kept for boarding, breeding, training, marketing, or other purposes.

(89-69 §1)

(a) Requirement of a License. Every person, firm, or corporation engaged in the operation, control, or management of a kennel or cattery as herein defined shall obtain a license from the City Animal Care and Control Services, and shall pay an annual license fee as determined by resolution of the City Council.

(b) Regulation. All dogs or cats owned by, under the control of, or in possession of a kennel or cattery operator shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter. The City Animal Care and Control Services shall have the power, upon the giving of ten (10) days notice by united States mail or by personal delivery to any licensee under this Section, and an opportunity to be heard, to revoke any license granted to a kennel or cattery operator for violations of this Chapter.

(c) Any person convicted of any crimes against animals within the past ten (10) years will not be permitted to operate, control or manage a kennel or cattery within the City.

(d) Renewal. The license must be renewed annually.

(89-69 §2; as amd by 91-98 §2)

The following general standards shall apply to facilities under this Chapter:

(a) Housing. The facilities shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to prevent injury to animals, to contain the animals, and to restrict the entrance of other animals.

(b) Water and Electric Power. Reliable and adequate potable water shall be available.

(c) Isolation. Facilities for isolating animals under quarantine or treatment for disease shall be in a room that is separated from healthy animals.

(d) Storage. Facilities shall be provided for the storage of food and bedding in covered containers, protected against infestation or contamination by vermin. Refrigeration shall be provided for perishable items of the diet normally requiring refrigeration.

(e) Waste Disposal. Provisions shall be made for the removal and disposal of excretion, bedding, dead animals, and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so constructed and operated as to minimize vermin infestation, offensive odors, and disease hazards.

(f) Washrooms and Sinks. Facilities such as washrooms, basins, sinks, and showers shall be provided to maintain cleanliness of personnel.

(g) Heating. Facilities shall be heated when necessary to protect the animals from cold and to provide for their health and comfort.

(h) Ventilation. Facilities shall be adequately ventilated to provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times. All rooms shall be provided with fresh air by air conditioning. They shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, offensive odors, and moisture condensation.

(i) Lighting. Facilities shall have ample light by natural or artificial means, or both, of good quality and well distributed during a minimum of eight (8) hours in each twenty-four (24) hour period. Animal enclosures shall be placed as to prevent discomfort to animals.

(j) Interior Surfaces. The interior building surfaces shall be constructed and maintained so that they are impervious to moisture and may be readily sanitized.

(k) Drainage. A suitable method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water. Rooms shall be provided with drains and sloped for adequate flushing. If closed drainage systems are used, they shall be equipped with traps.

(l) Daily Needs. The needs of dogs and cats shall be attended to daily at least once.

(m) Identification. The facility operator or his or her designee shall be able to identify each animal, except for kittens and dogs under four (4) months of age which may be identified by litter.

(89-69 §3)

(a) Construction.

(1) All kennels must be constructed to keep animals dry and clean. Runs shall be constructed of concrete or other suitable non-porous material. The floors shall slope one quarter inch (¼″) per foot to a drain or to a drain way. All such drains shall be properly plumbed, trapped and vented and shall be connected to an approved underground disposal system which shall consist of a septic tank and seepage pit or leaching line as required by the Health Department. Adequate ventilation must be provided for kennels.

(2) Kennels shall not be constructed closer than three hundred feet (300′) away from any structure on adjacent property used for human habitation nor closer than forty feet (40′) to any dwelling on the premises, except that of the owner/operator's home.

(3) Provisions shall be made in boarding and breeding kennels for the separation of kennel owned dogs from those owned by other persons.

(4) A perimeter fence six feet (6′) high made of chain link or other suitable sturdy fencing is required around the kennel.

(5) Runs of chain link or block walls are required.

(6) Access to clean food and water is available.

(7) Floors shall be constructed to prevent injuries to animals; wire and mesh which allow animals' feet to pass through shall not be used.

(8) If dogs are housed in rooms, pens, or runs, a minimum of eight (8) square feet of floor space shall be provided for each dog measuring two feet (2′) or less in length; a minimum of twelve (12) square feet of floor space for each dog measuring more than two feet (2′) in length. No more than five (5) dogs may be housed in one (1) pen or run.

(9) A dog shall not be housed in a cage unless the interior height of such cage is six inches (6″) or more in excess of the height of the dog as measured from the floor to the apex of its shoulders while in a standing position, and the width and depth are six inches (6″) or more in excess of the length of the dog as measured from the end of its nose to the base of its tail. No more than one (1) dog or five (5) puppies shall be housed in any one (1) cage.

(b) Operation.

(1) All dogs eight (8) weeks of age must receive a series of puppy vaccinations as directed by the local veterinarian. All adult dogs must receive all annual boosters required for prevention of contagious disease.

(2) All dogs four (4) months of age or older shall be currently vaccinated against rabies with chick embryo modified live virus rabies vaccine. State requires that a licensed veterinarian give all rabies vaccinations.

(3) All dogs shall be individually vaccinated and have a current City dog license attached to their collar.

(4) Records of all dogs and their vaccinations must be kept and made available to the Animal Care and Control Services upon request.

(5) All kennels, runs, buildings and other equipment and facilities used for the care of dogs shall be cleaned daily and shall be disinfected as necessary to prevent the spread of disease. Boarding kennels shall disinfect all facilities used in the care of dogs between each separate usage.

(6) All droppings shall be removed from the kennel daily. Soiled papers and bedding materials shall be removed from the kennel as frequently as necessary to maintain the kennel in a clean, sanitary manner. All such waste material shall be disposed of in a manner satisfactory to the Animal Care and Control Services.

(7) When any dog is sold, the purchaser shall be provided with a copy of the "Certificate of Vaccination" issued by the veterinarian and shall be advised to secure a dog license or have the license transferred to their name within thirty (30) days from the date of purchase.

(8) Dead animals shall be disposed of under San Bernardino Code Section 32.015, as adopted by reference.

(89-69 §4)

(a) Construction and Maintenance.

(1) Enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space for the animal to make normal postural adjustments with adequate freedom of movements and to remain dry and clean. Interior height of cages shall be at least two feet (2′) and a minimum of three (3) square feet of floor space shall be provided for each adult cat. No more than two (2) adult cats shall be housed in any cage. If cats are housed in pens or runs, a minimum of three (3) square feet shall be provided for each cat. The maximum cats housed in a pen shall not exceed five (5).

(2) All cats shall be confined and not allowed to run at large.

(3) Adequate housing shall be provided for the protection of cats from the elements.

(4) The building within which cats are to be housed shall be provided with adequate ventilation and lights, and shall be constructed so as to be easily kept clean and sanitary at all times. Adequate ventilation shall be that which minimizes drafts, avoids offensive odors, and prevents moisture condensation. Cat odors shall not be allowed to persist inside the building.

(5) Adequate heating shall be provided for in the winter.

(6) Cat cages shall be within an enclosed building and shall be of suitable construction, e.g., fiberglass or stainless steel or other material that will prevent the escape of the animal through destruction of material of which the cage is made of, and at the same time permits easy cleaning. The minimum floor space of each cage shall be three (3) square feet for each adult cat. Each cage shall be at least two feet (2′) in height. No more than two (2) adult cats used for breeding shall be placed inside each cage.

(7) Inside runs shall be so constructed that a minimum space of three (3) square feet is provided per cat, and that the maximum number of cats to be housed in each pen shall not exceed five (5). Wire netting used between pens shall be such that the cats cannot put their feet through the wire netting spaces. If dividers are of solid construction, this shall be of uniform material and make. Enclosures shall be constructed so as to enable the animals to remain dry and clean.

(8) Each pen shall be provided with a cat scratching post.

(9) Cat resting or sleeping shelves shall be provided and shall be of uniform and approved construction.

(10) All cats shall be provided with sufficient clean litter to contain excreta and these shall be disposed of daily in a manner approved by the Health Officer. Adequate provision shall be made for the disposal of dead animals which shall be satisfactory to the Health Officer.

(11) Boarded cats shall be caged or penned individually and separated by a floor to ceiling solid partition, unless they belong to the same owner, in which case they may stay together provided there is adequate space.

(b) Operation.

(1) The operator of every cattery shall be responsible to take the appropriate preventive measures to preclude outbreaks of infectious and contagious diseases, as well as external parasites, among the cats.

(2) Adequate disinfection shall be provided. Beddings shall be cleaned and laundered at the end of each boarding period prior to use by another cat.

(3) Provisions shall be made for convenient access to clean food and water. Food and water containers shall be kept clean and sanitary. Animal feed shall be properly stored and protected from contamination and vermin infestation.

(4) All cats are required to have annual vaccinations against all infectious diseases, including rabies. Kittens must have a series of vaccinations. Proof of vaccinations must be made available upon request of the Animal Control Officer.

(89-69 §5)

The license fees for kennels and catteries shall be determined by the City Council by Resolution.

(89-69 §6)

This Chapter shall be effective thirty (30) days from the date of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this Chapter. For kennels or catteries already licensed, these requirements will be effective upon the renewal date of the license; provided, however, that the operator may be granted a reasonable time by the Community Development Director to meet additional requirements imposed by this Chapter. This Chapter shall apply to all new applications or to requests for expansions or additions.

(89-69 §7)

The provisions of San Bernardino County Code Sections 32.031-32.036 and 32.121-32.127 are hereby repealed in their entirety.

(89-69 §8)