(A) Limit on number of dogs. No owner, as defined below, of a dog nor any person who owns, leases, or is otherwise in control of any premises within the city, shall keep dogs or permit dogs to be kept within the city except in compliance with the following:
(1) Not more than two dogs may be kept in or about the premises of a dwelling unit in a duplex, apartment, condominium, or other multiple family dwelling unit.
(2) Not more than three dogs may be kept in or about the premises of any single family dwelling.
(3) No dog may be kept in or about the premises other than occupied dwelling units except upon application filed with the Director of Public Works setting forth in detail the request and the reasons therefor. The Director of Public Works may grant written approval upon finding that a valid reason exists for granting the request and that the granting of the request will not have an adverse effect on neighboring properties or on the general public. If approval is denied, the applicant may appeal the decision of the Director of Public Works to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Both the Director of Public Works and the Zoning Board of Appeals are authorized to place conditions on any approval which is granted.
(4) Dogs born to a female dog kept in compliance with the provisions of this section may be kept on the premises with said female dog for a period of not more than six months following the date of birth, notwithstanding the provisions of divisions (A)(1) and (A)(2) above.
(B) Limit on number of cats. No owner, as defined below, of a cat nor any person who owns, leases, or is otherwise in control of any premises within the city, shall keep cats or permit cats to be kept within the city except in compliance with the following:
(1) Not more than two cats may be kept in or about the premises of a dwelling unit in a duplex, apartment, condominium, or other multiple family dwelling unit.
(2) Not more than three cats may be kept in or about the premises of any single family dwelling.
(3) No cat may be kept in or about the premises other than occupied dwelling units except upon application filed with the Director of Public Works setting forth in detail the request and the reasons therefor. The Director of Public Works may grant written approval upon finding that a valid reason exists for granting the request and that the granting of the request will not have an adverse effect on neighboring properties or on the general public. If approval is denied, the applicant may appeal the decision of the Director of Public Works to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Both the Director of Public Works and the Zoning Board of Appeals are authorized to place conditions on any approval which is granted.
(4) Cats born to a female cat kept in compliance with the provisions of this section may be kept on the premises with said female cat for a period of not more than six months following the date of birth, notwithstanding the provisions of divisions (B)(1) and (B)(2) above.
(C) Definition of owner. When applied to the proprietorship of an animal, OWNER means every person having a right of property in the animal and every person who keeps or harbors the animal or has it in his or her care and every person who permits an animal to remain on or about the premises occupied by him or her. For purposes of this section, any person keeping or harboring any animal for seven consecutive days shall be deemed the owner thereof within the meaning of this chapter.
(Ord. effective 9-16-2023)