(A) Unless an owner possesses a current excessive animal permit obtained from the Finance Department, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any one home or parcel within the city more than six animals total of the following types of animals: dogs, cats, and/or ferrets. This limitation applies to animals that are more than four months old or animals that are from more than one liter that are more than three months old. This limitation shall not apply to any person licensed to operate a kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, boarding kennel, commercial kennel, commercial breeder operation, veterinary hospital, zoological garden, circus, carnival, educational or medical institution, or research facility as defined by state law, and said person is in compliance with the zoning ordinance of the city.
(B) It is unlawful for any person to harbor more pets than can be reasonably maintained in healthful or sanitary conditions for the humans or animals occupying the premises, or create any other conditions constituting a nuisance. If such a condition exists, the Animal Protection Officer or his or her designee is authorized to make investigation and remove animals if deemed unsafe or unsanitary.
(C) Indoor pets such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, birds, fish, snakes and reptiles, and similar animals normally maintained as pets in an enclosure inside of a dwelling are not proscribed by this section unless specifically regulated by other sections.
(D) If a person has seven or more animals at the time of implementation of this section, the animals may remain at the home as long as city license is up to date and the location is registered with the city. The registration entails a one time excessive numbers permit with a fee of $10. This is a one- time fee, but annual renewal is required at no cost.
(E) If a person is found to be keeping more than six animals without the registration required by this section, the owner will be given seven days to license the animals and register the animals with the city. If this requirement is not adhered to, the excessive number of animals may be removed from the property and impounded in aggravating circumstances. Any costs for impounding the animals will be assessed to the owner.
(Ord. 2485, passed 11-27-2012; Ord. 2657, passed 10-13-2020; Ord. 2746, passed 6-11-2024)
Penalty, see § 10.99