(a) No person, partnership, or corporation shall operate a commercial animal establishment or animal shelter without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this Section.
(b) The respective Town Councils shall promulgate regulations for the issuance of permits which shall include requirements for humane care of all animals and for compliance with the provisions of this Article and other applicable laws. The Town Councils may amend such regulations from time to time as deemed desirable for public health, safety and welfare and for the protection of animals, and upon recommendation from the Animal Control Officer.
(c) When a permit applicant has shown that he or she is willing and able to comply with the regulations promulgated by the Town Council, a permit shall be issued upon payment of the applicable fee.
(d) The permit period shall begin with the fiscal year and shall run for one year. Renewal applications for permits shall be made at least thirty (30) days prior to and up to sixty (60) days after the start of the fiscal calendar year. Applications for a permit to establish a new commercial animal establishment under the provisions of this Article may be made at any time.
(e) No business shall train any dog to be used as a guard dog or sentry dog without possessing a valid license. This section shall not apply to the Town government or any of its agencies. An application for a guard dog or sentry dog training license shall state the name and address of the owner and trainer, location of the facility, and the maximum number of dogs to be housed at the training facility.
(f) Annual permits for guard or sentry dog training facilities shall be issued upon payment of the applicable fee:
Kennel authorized to house fewer than six (6) dogs or cats | $150.00 |
Kennel authorized to house six (6) or more, but fewer than ten (10) dogs or cats | 200.00 |
Kennel authorized to house ten (10) or more dogs or cats | 250.00 |
Breeder permits | 50.00 |
Pet shops | 150.00 |
Riding stable | 100.00 |
Auction | 100.00 |
Zoological park | 200.00 |
Circus | 200.00 |
Grooming shops | 100.00 |
Petting zoo | 300.00 |
Guard dog training center | 300.00 |
(g) Every facility regulated by this Article shall be considered a separate enterprise requiring a separate permit.
(h) No fee shall be required of any veterinary hospital, animal shelter, or government-operated zoological park.
(i) Failure to obtain a permit before opening any facility covered in this section shall result in a fine as set forth in Section 6-89.
(j) Failure to obtain a breeders permit prior to breeding shall result in a fine as set forth in Section 6-89.
(k) Any person who has a change in the category under which a permit was issued shall be subject to reclassification and readjustment of the permit fee.
(l) No more than five dogs and/or cats combined over the age of three months may be kept on any residential, commercial or other premises within the Town unless the owner or owners of the animals provide prior notification to the Town and the same is approved by appropriate officials.
(Ord. No. 95-32, § 4, 12-12-95; Am. Ord. No. 98-04, § 3-4, 2-10-98; Am. Ord. No. 2002-09, 4-16-02; Am. Ord. No. 2008-02, § 4, 4-16-08)