(A) Unless otherwise stated, no person shall keep more than a total of five dogs or cats over the age of six months per household in any residential area zone. These restrictions mean a total of five animals; for example, three dogs and two cats, or four cats and one dog, but in no event shall the total number exceed five of such animals per household.
(B) This restriction shall not apply to property which is at least one-third of an acre of real property (14,520 square feet); however, any person owning more than five of such animals must comply with provision (C) of this section.
(C) Persons desiring to have more than five animals who meet the regulation set forth in division (B) of this section must have a minimum of 1,000 additional square feet of real property for each additional animal.
(D) Exception: There shall be no violation of this section if a pet owner shows that the pet owner’s animals have been properly vaccinated, were owned by the owner prior to the effective date of this section and if the pet owner’s animals are not in violation of any other section of this chapter. Every owner maintaining a number of animals in violation of the provisions set forth in divisions (A) through (C) of this section but owned prior to the effective date of this section must register their animals exceeding the limit. To qualify as a valid registration, the following information must be filed with the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer with respect to each such animal:
(1) The name and address of the current owner or other person having control of the animal;
(2) The street address (or if none, the legal description of the property) where the animal is currently located; and
(3) A description of the animal, including the species, photograph and approximate age of the animal.
(E) It shall also be a violation of this section to be an animal hoarder as defined in this chapter.
(F) This section applies to households and not to an animal shelter, veterinary office of hospital, pet store or other legally operated and/or licensed animal related businesses.
(G) Violators of this section shall have 30 days from the date of notice of the violation to bring themselves into compliance with this section. If the violator is found to be in violation after the 30-day period, the violator shall be subject to the penalty set forth in § 90.99(B).
(Ord. 2005-21, passed 5-25-2005; Am. Ord. 2014-1, passed 2-25-2014; Am. Ord. 2016-18, passed 11-22-2016) Penalty, see § 90.99