The procedures for obtaining a wild or exotic animal permit are listed as follows.
(A) The person desiring a permit must file an application with an animal control officer and pay an application and administrative fee as set by resolution.
(B) An administrative hearing before the Exotic Animal Permit Review Committee is scheduled by the City Clerk’s office.
(C) (1) Notice of administrative hearing on the application is published at least one week prior to the meeting of the Exotic Animal Permit Review Committee during which the application will be heard. The publication costs will be paid by the applicant prior to receiving a permit.
(2) At least ten days prior to the date of the hearing, notice of the application and the time and date of the administrative hearing shall be given by the applicant to occupants of residences and managers of multi-family dwellings within 300 feet of the location for which the permit is requested. Prior to the administrative hearing, each applicant shall file in the City Clerk’s office a written statement declaring that proper notices have been given as required in this section.
(D) If it appears to a majority of the Exotic Animal Permit Review Committee following an administrative hearing that the following conditions are met, then in such event the Exotic Animal Permit Review Committee shall grant a permit to the applicant:
(1) Granting of the permit would not create a nuisance or cause for public safety or concern;
(2) The applicant is a fit and proper person or entity to maintain, keep and hold the wild or exotic animal(s) which the applicant seeks to own or possess; and
(3) The premises of the applicant are such as to safely maintain the wild or exotic animal(s).
(E) Any applicant, or any person opposed to the granting of a permit, may appeal the decision of the Exotic Animal Permit Review Committee to the City Council. The City Council shall conduct a hearing on the permit and after such hearing shall either confirm or reverse the decision of the Exotic Animal Permit Review Committee. The hearing before the City Council shall not require further publication or notice other than as a regular Council agenda item.
(Prior Code, § 90.061) (Ord. 97-16, passed 8-4-1997; Ord. 01-42, passed 8-2-2001; Ord. 04-03, passed 1-5-2004; Ord. 05-10, passed 3-7-2005; Ord. 07-22, passed 11-19-2007)