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Los Angeles Overview
Los Angeles Charter and Administrative Code
Los Angeles Municipal Code
MUNICIPAL CODE
FOREWORD
CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS AND ZONING
CHAPTER 1A CITY OF LOS ANGELES ZONING CODE
CHAPTER II* LICENSES, PERMITS, BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER III PUBLIC HEALTH CODE
CHAPTER IV PUBLIC WELFARE
CHAPTER V PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTION
ARTICLE 2 POLICE AND SPECIAL OFFICERS
ARTICLE 3 ANIMALS AND FOWLS
SEC. 53.01. POUND, HOURS OPEN.
SEC. 53.02. ISSUING OF BADGES TO DEPARTMENT - DEPARTMENT MEMBERS AS POLICE OFFICERS.
SEC. 53.02.1. BOARD, DUTIES OF.
SEC. 53.03. INSPECTIONS.
SEC. 53.03.1. MINIMUM AGE - DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES.
SEC. 53.04. UNENCLOSED PREMISES, IMPOUNDING.
SEC. 53.05. IMPOUNDING. DUTY OF POLICE.
SEC. 53.06. ANIMALS AT LARGE.
SEC. 53.06.1. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DOGS AND CATS.
SEC. 53.06.2. RESTRAINT OF DOGS.
SEC. 53.06.3. TRAPPING - PERMIT REQUIRED.
SEC. 53.06.4. CERTAIN ANIMALS DECLARED TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE - SUMMARY DESTRUCTION AUTHORIZED.
SEC. 53.06.5. FEEDING OF NON-DOMESTICATED MAMMALIAN PREDATORS PROHIBITED.
SEC. 53.07. ANIMALS ON UNENCLOSED PREMISES.
SEC. 53.08. ANIMALS IN LOS ANGELES RIVER BED.
SEC. 53.09. STRAY ANIMALS. NOTICE REQUIRED.
SEC. 53.10. PERMITTING ANIMALS TO GO WITHOUT CARE - DUTY TO ENTER AND REMOVE SAME.
SEC. 53.11. ANIMALS. IMPOUNDING - SALE.
SEC. 53.12. ANIMAL SHELTER ADOPTION FEE SCHEDULE.
SEC. 53.12.1. UNCARED FOR ANIMALS - IMPOUNDING.
SEC. 53.12.2 IMPOUNDMENT OF UNALTERED DOGS AND CATS - CIVIL PENALTIES.
SEC. 53.13. REDEMPTION FEES.
SEC. 53.14. RECORDS OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.
SEC. 53.15. DOG LICENSE TAX - PENALTIES.
SEC. 53.15.1. EQUINE LICENSE FEE.
SEC. 53.15.2. BREEDING AND TRANSFER OF DOGS AND CATS.
SEC. 53.15.3. DOG LICENSE FEE.
SEC. 53.15.4. VETERINARIANS AND OTHERS AUTHORIZED TO DISTRIBUTE DOG LICENSE APPLICATIONS OR SELL DOG LICENSES.
SEC. 53.15.5. ELECTRONIC ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION DEVICE.
SEC. 53.16. LICENSES TO BE SIGNED.
SEC. 53.17. LICENSES - WHAT TO STATE.
SEC. 53.18. RECORD OF LICENSES.
SEC. 53.18.5. HEARING PROCEDURES AND LICENSE REVOCATIONS.
SEC. 53.19. CAT TAG - ISSUANCE OF.
SEC. 53.21. DOG TAGS - WEARING OF AND REGISTRY.
SEC. 53.22. DOG TAG - MUST BE OFFICIAL.
SEC. 53.23. DOG TAGS - REMOVAL OF.
SEC. 53.24. RECEIPT - CERTIFICATE - FAILURE TO EXHIBIT.
SEC. 53.25. COLLECTION - DEPOSITING OF.
SEC. 53.26. LICENSE TAXES - RIGHT TO SUE FOR RECOVERY.
SEC. 53.27. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP; NOTICE REQUIRED.
SEC. 53.28. HARBORING OF UNLICENSED DOGS.
SEC. 53.29. FEMALE DOGS AND CATS, STRAYING DURING SEASON.
SEC. 53.30. KEEPING OF DISEASED OR CRIPPLED ANIMALS.
SEC. 53.31. PUBLIC SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC.
SEC. 53.32. ANIMALS - DISPOSAL OF.
SEC. 53.33. VICIOUS ANIMALS - PRIVATE PREMISES.
SEC. 53.34. ANIMALS AT LARGE.
SEC. 53.34.1. MENACING DOGS.
SEC. 53.34.2. IMPOUNDMENT - BITING OR ATTACKING ANIMAL.
SEC. 53.34.3. RESTRICTED DOG PERMIT.
SEC. 53.34.4. DANGEROUS ANIMAL - PROCEDURES.
SEC. 53.35. ANIMALS - TRANSPORTATION OF.
SEC. 53.36. RESISTING OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES.
SEC. 53.37. DOGS - EXEMPTIONS.
SEC. 53.38. WILD ANIMALS - KEEPING - PERMIT.
SEC. 53.39. WILD ANIMALS - POWER OF DEPARTMENT OVER.
SEC. 53.39.1. WILD OR EXOTIC ANIMAL - EXHIBITION.
SEC. 53.40. BULL FIGHTS.
SEC. 53.41. ANIMALS - FOOD POISONING.
SEC. 53.42. ANIMALS, SALE OF - AS NOVELTIES - ON STREETS.
SEC. 53.43. PIGEONS - FEEDING - RESTRICTED AREA.
SEC. 53.44. VETERINARIES - NOTICES OF DEATH OF ANIMALS.
SEC. 53.45. VETERINARIES - RETENTION OF DEAD ANIMALS.
SEC. 53.46. WILD BIRDS - IMPOUNDING - CRATING.
SEC. 53.47. BREEDING ANIMALS - ENCLOSURES.
SEC. 53.48. SONG BIRDS - KILLING.
SEC. 53.49. DOGS - DOG DEFECATION TO BE REMOVED BY OWNERS.
SEC. 53.50. PERMITS.
SEC. 53.51. VACCINATION OF DOGS REQUIRED.
SEC. 53.52. EXEMPTIONS.
SEC. 53.53. DUTY OF VETERINARIANS PERFORMING VACCINATIONS.
SEC. 53.54. VACCINATION CERTIFICATES, PROOF OF STERILIZATION AND OTHER PROOF TO BE RETAINED BY OWNER.
SEC. 53.55. DOGS ON BEACHES PROHIBITED - EXCEPTION.
SEC. 53.56. IMPORTED DOGS.
SEC. 53.57. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION - CERTIFICATES.
SEC. 53.58. RULES AND REGULATIONS.
SEC. 53.59. ANIMALS - DISTANCES - SEPARATION FROM DWELLING.
SEC. 53.60. CARRIER AND HOMING PIGEONS - PERMITS.
SEC. 53.62. ANIMALS; BURIAL OF.
SEC. 53.63. BARKING DOG NOISE.
SEC. 53.64. REGULATION OF SENTRY DOG SERVICES.
SEC. 53.65. MAIMING, INJURING OR KILLING ANIMALS DURING PERFORMANCE.
SEC. 53.66. GUARD DOGS.
SEC. 53.67. ANIMAL SACRIFICE.
SEC. 53.68. FEES FOR SERVICES TO SUBDIVIDERS.
SEC. 53.69. FEES FOR TRAP RENTAL.
SEC. 53.70. CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF DOGS.
SEC. 53.71. ROOSTERS - LIMIT.
SEC. 53.72. DECLAWING OF CATS OR OTHER ANIMALS - PROHIBITION.
SEC. 53.73. SALE OF COMMERCIALLY BRED DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS IN PET STORES - PROHIBITION.
SEC. 53.74. BULLHOOKS - PROHIBITION ON USE.
SEC. 53.75. PROHIBITION TO SELL, TRADE, OR DISTRIBUTE FUR PRODUCTS.
SEC. 53.76. POSTING OF PET LAWS AT CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS.
ARTICLE 3.5 PURCHASE OF ANIMALS FROM CITY ZOO
ARTICLE 4 LIABILITY FOR VIOLATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE AND SUBSTANCE CONTROL LAWS.
ARTICLE 5 FIREARMS - DANGEROUS WEAPONS
ARTICLE 6 PUBLIC HAZARDS
ARTICLE 6.1 PROTECTION OF PEACE AND SECURITY AT MEDICAL FACILITIES
ARTICLE 6.5 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALLS
ARTICLE 7 FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION (FIRE CODE)
ARTICLE 8 NUISANCES
ARTICLE 9 NOTICES RELATED TO SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
CHAPTER VI PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY
CHAPTER VII TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER VIII TRAFFIC
CHAPTER IX BUILDING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER X BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER XI NOISE REGULATION
CHAPTER XII THE WATER CONSERVATION PLAN OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CHAPTER XIII THE EMERGENCY ENERGY CURTAILMENT PLAN OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CHAPTER XV RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE
CHAPTER XVI HOUSING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER XVII RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF THE LOS ANGELES AIRPORTS
CHAPTER XVIII EMPLOYEE WAGES AND PROTECTIONS
CHAPTER XIX ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
CHAPTER XX COVID-19 PROTECTION AND RECOVERY*
TABLES
Los Angeles Planning and Zoning
Chapter 1A City of Los Angeles Zoning Code
Table of Amending Legislation for Chapter 1A
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SEC. 53.06. ANIMALS AT LARGE.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 160,401, Eff. 11/1/85.)
 
   No person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any animal, except cats which are not in heat or season, shall cause, permit or allow the animal to stray, run, or in any manner to be at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk or park, except as otherwise expressly provided in section 63.44 of this Code, or in the bed of the Los Angeles River or upon any unenclosed lot or land.
 
   A municipality may, under its police power, enact Ordinances prohibiting animals from running at large.
   Amyx J. Tabor C 1863 23 C 370.
 
 
SEC. 53.06.1. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DOGS AND CATS.
   (Added by Ord. No. 186,864, Eff. 1/21/21.)
 
   (a)   Dogs. No person shall keep or maintain more than three (3) dogs over four (4) months of age at any premises, including any Dwelling Unit as defined in Section 12.03, or at any lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises that does not constitute a Dwelling Unit.
 
   (b)   Cats. No person shall keep or maintain more than five (5) cats over four (4) months of age at any premises, including any Dwelling Unit as defined in Section 12.03, or at any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises that does not constitute a Dwelling Unit. Any person who keeps or maintains more than three (3) cats at any such location shall comply with the following requirements:
 
   1.   Notwithstanding Section 53.15.2(b)(1), all cats shall be kept solely indoors;
 
   2.   All cats shall be spayed or neutered, unless exempt under Section 53.15.2(b)(2)E.;
 
   3.   All cats shall be implanted with an animal identification device, such as a microchip, identifying the owner of the cat; and
 
   4.   The location where the cats are kept or maintained shall be registered with the Department of Animal Services using a Department approved form that specifies the name of the cat owner, the address of the location, the number of cats at the location, and any other information the Department deems necessary.
 
   (c)   Exceptions. The restrictions in this section shall not apply to any premises operating as a Pet Shop, Dog Kennel, or Cat Kennel pursuant to a valid permit issued by the Department.
 
 
SEC. 53.06.2. RESTRAINT OF DOGS.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 160,401, Eff. 11/1/85.)
 
   (a)   Every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall keep such dog exclusively upon the person’s own premises provided, however, that such dog may be off such premises if it be under the control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length, or under the control of a competent person on a dog exercise or training area established pursuant to section 63.44 of this Code.
 
   (b)   (Deleted by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
 
   This section is not unconstitutional and is substantially and fundamentally different from Ordinance No. 55,665.
   People v. Barnsdall 1945, CR A 2103.
 
   “Whatever may be said about the affection which mankind has for a faithful companion, modern city conditions no longer permit dogs to run at large.”
   Brotemarkel v. Snyder 1950, 99 CAC 388, 390.
 
 
SEC. 53.06.3. TRAPPING – PERMIT REQUIRED.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 170,644, Eff. 9/14/95.)
 
   (a)   No person shall set, or cause to be set, any trap to catch any animal, other than rats, mice, pocket gophers, ground squirrels and moles, without having first obtained a permit therefor from the Department prior to the setting of any such trap.
 
   (b)   The Department shall charge and collect for issuance of a permit to trap a coyote a fee of $200.00.
 
   (c)   The Department shall establish conditions which the applicant for a permit to trap a coyote must satisfy prior to the issuance of any such permit. If the General Manager or the General Manager’s designee determines that the applicant has satisfied the conditions, then the Department shall issue a permit to trap a coyote. The Department shall further ensure that those conditions will be maintained and that the permittee shall inform neighboring residents, located within a distance established by the Department, that coyote trapping will be occurring in their area.
 
   (d)   No person shall set, or cause to be set, any snare, body gripping trap, body crushing trap, deadfall trap, leg hold trap, or any trap or snare that captures an animal other than rats, mice, pocket gophers, ground squirrels and moles, by gripping or snaring any part of the animal including its body, head, neck or limb, or that maims or causes the inhumane death or suffering of any animal. (Added by Ord. No. 183,001, Eff. 5/28/14.)
 
   (e)   The Department shall promulgate rules and regulations which are reasonably necessary to minimize the suffering of animals trapped in humane traps such as box, culvert or cage traps. These rules and regulations may include the placement of the traps and visitation schedules, identification and contact information for the trap, the type and use of permissible bait, and the treatment of the trapped animals. (Added by Ord. No. 183,001, Eff. 5/28/14.)
 
 
SEC. 53.06.4. CERTAIN ANIMALS DECLARED TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE – SUMMARY DESTRUCTION AUTHORIZED.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
 
   When any of the following described animals are found to be at large upon any public property, street, highway or alley, or are found to be at large upon private property and molesting, injuring, damaging or threatening to injure or damage any persons or property such animals may be taken up by the General Manager or the General Manager’s authorized representative and summarily destroyed: Badgers, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, opossums, foxes, raccoons, poisonous reptiles, skunks, or weasels.
 
 
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