Loading...
(Amended by Ord. No. 157,035, Eff. 10/4/82.)
(a) (Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.) Any person owning or having custody or control of any dog shall pay an annual license tax of $8.50 for each dog over the age of four months. For spayed females or neutered male dogs, or any dog certified by a licensed veterinarian to be incapable of breeding or being bred, the annual license tax shall be $3.50. Such license tax shall not apply to any dog kept or maintained exclusively in any licensed dog kennel.
The license tax imposed hereunder shall be due and payable by the owner or custodian of such dog upon acquisition of said dog if the dog is four months of age or older, or once the dog reaches the age of four months, or upon expiration of any previously issued license, or upon notification by the Department that any previously issued license has expired and that such license tax is due and payable. Thereafter, except as otherwise permitted herein, such license tax shall become due and payable by such person on the date of expiration of any license previously issued for such dog. License taxes and fees shall be paid annually or every two or three years on or before the expiration date of a previously issued license. A three year license for an altered dog shall be discounted by $5.00 off the cumulative fee amount due.
The Department is authorized to issue licenses for one, two or three years. The license may have a retroactive start date in order to expire upon the expiration date of the anti-rabies vaccination. The cost of the license shall not be prorated. In the event a license has been previously issued, subsequent licenses shall expire one, two or three years from the date of expiration of such previously issued license. Licenses shall be renewable upon payment of the appropriate license tax. The owner or custodian of a dog may choose the option of paying the annual license tax for said dog for a period of one, two or three years consistent with State law if such multi-year licenses are offered by the Department.
Upon payment of the license tax, the Department shall issue a license and a metal tag with the number thereof, together with the words “L.A. Dog License” plainly inscribed thereon. No portion of the license tax shall be refunded in the event ownership, custody or control of any dog is terminated during the license period or for any other reason.
The metal tag issued with the license shall be a permanent tag and shall be replaced only upon proof of loss or change of ownership.
A written certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian, containing a full description of such dog as to its breed, color, sex, age and name, and reciting the fact that the female dog has been spayed or the male dog neutered or reciting the reasons why the veterinarian otherwise deems the dog described therein incapable of breeding or being bred, shall be exhibited to the person issuing a license in order to qualify for the lower tax and fee specified herein. The General Manager may accept other satisfactory evidence of spaying or neutering in lieu of such certificate where it is unavailable, or when provided in a manner prescribed by the Department, including but not limited to electronic transmission or facsimile, consistent with State law.
(b) The Department may issue a free license for any dog duly and properly trained to aid or assist any person who is blind, deaf or physically handicapped when the dog is actually being used to aid or assist such blind, deaf, or physically handicapped person. (Amended by Ord. No. 162,486, Eff. 7/18/87.)
(c) Provided, that the Department may transfer without charge the license for any dog exchanged through provisions of Subsection (I) of Section 53.11, unless pursuant to Subsection (a) of this section, the licensed tax charged for a dog taken in exchange for one brought back to the Department would be higher, in which case the license may be transferred only upon the payment of the additional amount. (Amended by Ord. No. 142,491, Operative 10/1/71.)
(d) (Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.) No license for a dog shall be issued unless the owner shall have paid the applicable license tax provided therefor, and shall have exhibited to an authorized employee of the Department a certificate of anti-rabies vaccination of the dog, signed by a duly licensed veterinarian, or provided other satisfactory evidence of current anti-rabies vaccination in a manner prescribed by the Department, including but not limited to electronic transmission or facsimile, consistent with State law, except as provided in Section 53.52 of this Article.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (a) of this Section, any license issued by the Department shall expire on the date upon which the anti-rabies vaccination ceases to immunize the dog for which the license has been issued. A license may be issued for one, two or three years, and commence retroactively in order to expire on the expiration date of the anti-rabies vaccination. The cost for such retroactive license shall not be prorated. In the event such immunization ceases to be effective prior to the expiration of the license, the owner shall be notified in writing that the license is not valid, at the address last known to the Department prior to the date upon which the immunization ceases to be effective. Said license may become valid for the balance of the licensing period, without payment of any additional tax, upon presentation to the Department of a new certificate of vaccination or other satisfactory evidence of a current anti-rabies vaccination showing effective immunization for the balance of such licensing period. For licenses issued before the effective date of this Subsection, in order to align the expiration date of the license and the expiration date of the anti-rabies vaccination, the Department may extend the license period for a dog license in less than a one year increment and charge a pro-rated amount therefor.
(e) The owner of any dog found without a current active license or without a certificate of rabies vaccination indicating such dog is immune to rabies as required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Amended by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
(f) The Department shall issue one license at 50% of the current altered license tax for one dog to any disabled individual or to any individual 62 years of age or older who owns and maintains said dog, provided that the combined adjusted gross income of all members of the household in which such individual resides is less than the “very low income” limitation for residents of the City of Los Angeles, as determined by the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, using the figure in effect on the preceding first day of April as published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
For the purpose of this Subsection, an individual shall be considered to be disabled if the individual meets the definition promulgated by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act or by the United States Department of Labor.
The dog for which application for a discounted license is made must be a spayed female, a neutered male, or a dog certified by a licensed veterinarian to be incapable of breeding or being bred. Evidence that a dog is spayed or neutered, or incapable of breeding or being bred shall be provided by the owner to the Department in the same manner and form as it is specified in Subsection (a) of this Section.
No individual may apply for, be issued, or possess more than one discounted license provided for by this Subsection at any given time, and no more than one discounted license per household shall be issued. The provisions of this Subsection shall not eliminate the duty of any individual to apply for and obtain a license for each dog owned by said individual.
Any individual who is entitled to a discounted license under the provisions of this Subsection may file an application with the Department for such a license. The license shall be automatically rendered invalid by any change in ownership of said dog. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to knowingly receive the benefits of the discounted license provided for by this Subsection when the basis for such a discounted license either does not exist or ceases to exist.
(g) Puppy certificate. For a dog under the age of four months old, the Department shall, in addition to any other fees charged at the time the dog is adopted by the Department, charge an amount equal to the annual license tax and fee for a spayed or neutered dog and issue a puppy certificate for such dog. The puppy certificate shall expire when the dog is four months old. Within 45 days of the expiration date of the certificate, if the Department is provided with satisfactory evidence that the dog has been sterilized and has received an anti-rabies vaccination, the owner shall be provided with a valid license at no extra charge. The one year license shall expire on the expiration date of the anti-rabies vaccination. Any person adopting or purchasing a dog from any other source may also purchase a puppy certificate from the Department or from any person or organization authorized by the Department to issue a puppy certificate. (Added by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
(h) Late fee. If the license tax imposed hereunder is not paid within 45 days of the time a previously issued license is to be renewed, a late fee equal to 25% of the cost of the license or such other amount as determined by the Board of Animal Services Commissioners and approved by the City Council, shall be due and payable in addition to any other civil or criminal penalties imposed by this Article. A $25.00 field collection fee or such other amount as determined by the Board of Animal Services Commissioners and approved by the City Council, shall be due and payable when the tax for a license is collected at the property where the dog or dogs are maintained. Payment collected at the property shall only be by check, debit card or credit card. (Added by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
(i) The owner of any dog that has not been spayed or neutered and meets one of the exemptions in Section 53.15.2(b)(2) shall pay a license tax equal to that of an intact dog. In the absence of such immediate proof of exemption, the owner shall enter into an agreement with the Department to provide proof that the dog is exempt and is or will be in compliance with Subdivisions (3) and (4) of Section 53.15.2(b), or have the dog spayed or neutered and provide satisfactory proof to the Department within 60 days that the dog is exempt in compliance with Section 53.15.2(b) or that the dog has been spayed or neutered. Failure to provide the required proof shall subject the dog owner or custodian to the penalties enumerated in Section 53.15.2(b)(7). The license shall not be valid until such satisfactory proof is provided to the Department. No portion of the license tax shall be refunded in the event the dog is spayed or neutered during the license period. (Added by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
(j) The late fees codified in Subsection (h) above and the administrative penalty codified in Section 53.15.3(b) will become effective after March 31, 2012. (Added by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
(Amended by Ord. No. 144,751 Eff. 7/1/73.)
(a) Equine Defined. As used in this section, the word “equine” shall mean any horse, pony, donkey, burro, or mule, twelve months of age or older. (Amended by Ord. No. 144,751, Eff. 7/1/73.)
(b) License Fee. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,380, Eff. 2/28/13.) Any person owning or having custody of any equine shall pay for the privilege of keeping such equine a license fee of $14.00 per year, as discounted herein. The Department shall also issue multi-year licenses. The licensing fee shall be discounted 20% for a two-year license, 30% for a three-year license, 40% for a four-year license and 50% for a five-year license. The license fee for the selected period shall be paid in advance to the Department and shall be due and payable on or before the expiration date of the license.
A renewal license may have a retroactive start date in order to expire upon the anniversary of the expiration date of the previously issued license. The cost of the license shall not be prorated. In the event a license has been previously issued, subsequent licenses shall expire on the anniversary date of the expiration of such previously issued license.
(c) Fee Modification. The license fee may be modified by the City Council, by ordinance, based on recommendations of the Finance and Revenue Committee of the Council, which shall hold hearings at which equine-related organizations may attend and present information relative to the determination, of a proper fee. (Amended by Ord. No. 161,728, Eff. 12/8/86.)
(d) Annual Fee Administration. (Amended by Ord. No. 165,487, Eff. 3/5/90.) Receipts of the license fees collected pursuant to Subsection (b) of this section shall be deposited in the Equestrian Facilities Trust Fund.
The Department, however, may enter into a contract that provides for a contractor to collect equine license fees, to remit all its fee collections to the Department for deposit in the City Treasury, and to be paid for its services a sum equivalent to a percentage of the collected fees as agreed to in the contract. In the event of such a contract and upon receipt of such collected equine license fees, the Department shall (1) cause a portion of such fees equal to the contract amount due the contractor for its collection services to be deposited into the General Fund, (2) cause the contractor to be paid for its services in said amount, and (3) cause the remaining balance of the collected fees received by the Department to be deposited into the Equestrian Facilities Trust Fund.
(e) Identification Tags. (Amended by Ord. No. 151,852, Eff. 2/19/79, Oper. 3/1/79.)
1. The Department shall keep a record of the name and address of the person to whom each identification tag is issued, the number of such tag, and date of issuance thereof and a description of the equine for which issued.
2. Each equine identification tag shall consist of a metal tag with the number affixed together with the words “L.A. City.”
3. No unauthorized person shall remove from any equine any identification tag issued by the Department of Animal Services.
4. No person shall attach to or keep upon any equine, or make or have in their possession any counterfeit or imitation of any tag provided for in this article except that the Department may, upon statement of loss and receipt of $1.00 issue a replacement equine license number and tag. (Amended by Ord. No. 157,035, Eff. 10/4/82, Oper. 11/1/82.)
(f) Exceptions: (Amended by Ord. No. 144,751, Eff. 7/1/73.)
1. This fee shall not apply to persons who bring equines into the City for a period of less than 30 days.
2. This fee shall not apply to any equine maintained in any boarding stable, riding academy, livery stable, pony ring, pony ride, horse market or mule market under permit from the Department so long as such equine is the property of the permit holder.
(g) Penalty. In the event any license fee required by this section is not paid within 30 days after the date of expiration of any previously issued license, or within 30 days after the date of mailing of notice to secure a license to the owner or custodian of any previously unlicensed equine, a late payment collection fee of $5.00 shall be charged in addition to such other fee. (Added by Ord. No. 161,728, Eff. 12/8/86.)
(Amended by Ord. No. 173,168, Eff. 5/18/00, Oper. 11/15/00.)
The City Council finds that there exists a serious pet overpopulation problem within the City, that has resulted in a threat to public safety and health, inhumane treatment of animals, mass euthanasia of dogs/cats at the local animal shelters and escalating costs for animal care and control. Further, the Board of Animal Services Commissioners has found that uncontrolled breeding is the cause and, without action aimed at the source, this problem and its serious consequences will remain unabated. Council finds that part of the solution is for all dogs and cats over the age of four months to be spayed or neutered, unless their owners purchase the appropriate licenses/permits for the privilege of maintaining the animal intact and allowing it to breed. Council also finds that an increase in the license fee for unaltered dogs will encourage the owners to spay/neuter their dog(s), in order to qualify for the much lower altered dog license fee. Further, Council finds that tighter regulation of the transfer of dogs and cats will help alleviate the City’s pet overpopulation crisis by allowing increased City control over the transfer of dogs and cats.
(a) Animal Ownership:
Animal Owner, for purposes of this section, shall mean any person harboring, keeping or providing care or sustenance to a domestic animal for 30 or more consecutive days on property which the person owns, rents or leases. Such a person shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter. This definition does not apply to government agencies, animal rescue organizations which have demonstrated to the Department that they have implemented an ongoing spay/neuter program as well as an adoption program, or humane societies or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals if such societies are incorporated under the provisions of California Corporations Code Section 10400 and the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law in Part 2 of the California Corporations Code, beginning at Section 5110 and successor sections.
(b) Intact Dogs and Cats: (Amended by Ord. No. 179,615, Eff. 4/8/08.)
(1) No person who owns a cat over the age of four months shall cause, permit, or allow the cat to be in a public place unsupervised, unless the cat is spayed or neutered. The term public place shall include, but not be limited to, streets, highways, sidewalks, carnivals, shopping malls, flea markets, boardwalks, and areas in front of commercial establishments. This requirement applies to all unaltered cats, whether or not their owner(s) have obtained breeding permits pursuant to Subsection (c), below.
(2) No person, within the City of Los Angeles, shall own a dog or cat over the age of four months that has not been spayed or neutered, unless valid written documentation is provided to show proof that the animal is exempt from the requirement to be spayed or neutered by reason of one of the following, and is in compliance with Subdivisions (3) and (4) below:
A. The dog or cat is a breed approved by and registered with a national or international breed registry or association which, at a minimum, requires identification of the breed, date of birth, names of registered sire and dam, the name of the breeder and recordkeeping relating to breeding, transfer of ownership and death. In addition, the animal must actively show or compete and shall have competed in at least one show or sporting competition hosted or staged by, or under the approval of, a national association, unless it is too young to compete. The owner shall provide verified proof to the satisfaction of the General Manager of the Department with each application for a new or renewal license. The Board of Animal Services Commissioners may issue further guidelines for enforcement of this Subsection. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.)
B. (Deleted by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.)
C. The dog is being trained or has been appropriately trained and is actively used in a manner that meets the definition of guide, signal or service dog as set forth in Subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 365.5 of the Penal Code, or the dog is enrolled in a guide, signal or service dog breeding program administered by a person licensed under Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 3 of the California Business and Professions Code.
D. The dog is appropriately trained or is in the process of being trained and is actively used by law enforcement agencies or the military for law enforcement, military or rescue activities.
E. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.) The owner of the dog or cat provides a letter to the Department from a California licensed veterinarian certifying that arrangements have been made to spay or neuter the dog or cat within 60 days after the animal reaches the age of four months; that the dog or cat is too sick or injured to be spayed or neutered and that the animal’s health would be best served by spaying or neutering after a specified date; or that it is unsafe to spay or neuter the animal due to old age, a permanent and serious medical condition or permanent infirmity that would prevent the animal from reproducing. The letter shall include the veterinarian’s license number.
Except for a letter certifying that arrangements have been made to spay or neuter the dog or cat within 60 days after the animal reaches the age of four months, any letter from a veterinarian requesting a temporary or permanent extension, including updates, shall specify the animal’s medical condition and the diagnosis which justifies the exemption and be supported by diagnostic reports. If the cat or dog has not been spayed or neutered by the date specified in the veterinarian’s letter, the owner shall obtain an updated letter from the veterinarian specifying the new date by which the animal may be safely spayed or neutered. An updated letter for a temporary or permanent extension shall be submitted at the time of each license renewal. If the letter from the veterinarian certifies that arrangements have been made to spay or neuter the dog within 60 days from the date the dog reaches the age of four months and the Department has been notified that the dog has in fact been spayed or neutered within that 60-day period, the owner shall qualify for the lower license fee and license tax for an altered dog.
F. The dog or cat has a valid breeding permit issued to the owner pursuant to Subsection (c) below.
(3) An unaltered dog or cat shall be implanted with an animal identification device identifying the owner of the animal.
(4) In addition to meeting one of the exemptions in this section, the dog license application for an unaltered dog shall contain the information requested by the Department, including the identification number of the implanted animal identification device, the name and address of the owner, and the location at which the dog will be maintained.
(5) A license for an unaltered dog shall not be transferable, and shall not be issued to any person under the age of eighteen years.
(6) The provisions of this subsection become operative on October 1, 2008. However, an unaltered dog that has a valid dog license from the Department shall not be subject to this subsection until the dog license expires, or October 1, 2009, whichever occurs first.
(7) No person shall own, possess, harbor or have custody and control of a cat or dog in violation of this subsection. (Amended by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
(8) (Added by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.) An unaltered dog or cat found running at large and impounded as a lost or stray animal shall be spayed or neutered and shall be implanted with a microchip before being redeemed by its owner, and the owner shall pay the amount established by the Department for spaying or neutering the dog or cat and implanting the microchip.
The Department shall waive the sterilization requirement the first time the unaltered dog or cat is impounded if the animal is exempt from the spay/neuter requirement, vaccinated and implanted with a microchip, and in the case of a dog, licensed, or the owner obtains a license and is in compliance with all other applicable provisions of this Article. The owner shall be responsible for paying the impound fees established by the Department, including the reasonable cost of feeding and caring, implanting the microchip, vaccinations, medication and any diagnostic or therapeutic applications as may be required in the reasonable discretion of the Department. Payment of the impound fees shall not be waived by the Department upon the abandonment of the dog or cat by the owner and shall be in addition to any other applicable civil or criminal penalties that may be imposed. If the owner chooses to have the animal sterilized prior to or in conjunction with the redemption and pays for the dog license, sterilization and implanting the microchip, the Department shall waive the impound fees.
An animal impounded for a second or subsequent time shall be spayed or neutered. The owner shall pay the amount established by the Department for the sterilization as part of the impound fees. If the owner chooses to have the animal sterilized prior to or in conjunction with the redemption and pays for the sterilization, the Department shall waive the impound fees. If the owner fails to pay the impound fees and costs as required, the animal shall be deemed to have been abandoned, unless the owner consents to and pays for the sterilization.
(9) (Amended by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.) Prior to sterilizing an animal pursuant to the provisions of Subdivision (8) of this Subsection, the Department shall serve upon the owner in the manner provided for giving of notice in Section 11.00(I) of this Code, written notice of the intent to sterilize. If the owner does not want the Department to sterilize the animal, the owner, on a form provided by the Department, may file a written request for an administrative hearing within ten (10) days of such service. The decision of the Department to sterilize is final and effective when served on the owner, unless an appeal is filed within fifteen (15) days of said service.
If the Department receives a timely written request for an administrative hearing, it shall hold a hearing within twenty (20) days of receiving the request. Notice shall be served at least ten (10) days prior to the date set for the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Subsections (a) through (m) inclusive, of Section 53.18.5. Prior to the hearing, the impound fees and costs accruing to the date of the hearing shall be paid by the owner.
(10) The decision of the General Manager may be appealed to the Board of Animal Services Commissioners by the owner. The appeal shall be in writing on an appeal form provided by the Department and scheduled for the first available Board meeting following receipt of the appeal in accordance with the procedures in Section 53.18.5(q)2. through 10., which govern the appeal process to the Board. The fees and costs to be charged to the owner from the time the appeal is received by the Department to the time that the Board decision is served on the owner shall not exceed fifteen (15) days of fees and costs for feeding and caring of the animal, unless, by written consent of the owner, the hearing date is continued to the next Board meeting and the owner agrees to pay for a not-to-exceed additional fourteen (14) days of fees and costs. If the Board reverses the decision of the General Manager and orders the animal returned without sterilization, the fees and costs for the feeding and caring of the animal accruing after the time the appeal is received by the Department to the time the Board decision is served on the owner shall be waived. Payment of the impound fees and costs shall not be waived by the Department upon the abandonment of the dog or cat by the owner and shall be in addition to any other applicable civil or criminal penalties that may be imposed. (Added by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.)
(c) Breeding Permit:
(1) No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored or kept within the City of Los Angeles to breed without first obtaining a breeding permit, as described below. The term breeding permit means a written authorization, issued annually by the General Manager, giving its lawful holder permission to breed a dog or a cat.
(2) Each breeding permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance, and may be renewed annually, before its expiration date. Each applicant for such a permit shall pay an annual fee of $235.00 or such other fee established in the manner set forth in Subsection (a) of Section 53.12 and promulgated by the Department. A separate permit must be obtained for each owned dog or cat that is allowed to breed. (Amended by Ord. No. 181,341, Eff. 11/14/10.)
(3) The Department shall administer an animal breeding permit program to allow the breeding of unaltered dogs and cats consistent with the criteria and procedures established by the Department pursuant to Section 53.58 of this Article. A breeding permit shall not be issued to a person who has been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect or abuse or to a person who has failed to obtain appropriate licenses or permits for the animal for which the breeding permit is being sought. Animals receiving a breeding permit shall be implanted with an electronic animal identification device (microchip) identifying the owner. The microchip number shall be verified by the Department. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.)
(4) In addition to the criteria and procedures established by the General Manager pursuant to Paragraph 3. of this subsection, all breeding permits shall contain the following terms and conditions:
A. The owner of an unaltered female dog or cat shall not allow the whelping of more than one litter in any household within the permit year. Notwithstanding this provision, the General Manager is hereby authorized, upon application of a permittee, to allow on a one time basis the whelping of up to two dog or cat litters per breeding animal within any domestic household within a permit year, if the permittee establishes, according to regulations promulgated by the General Manager, that such breeding is required to protect the health of the animal or avert a substantial economic loss to the permittee. In the event that a permittee is forced to euthanize a litter of dogs or cats, the General Manager may authorize the whelping of one additional litter of dogs or cats within the same permit year by the permittee;
B. No offspring may be sold, adopted, bartered, or otherwise transferred, whether for compensation or otherwise, until it has reached the age of at least eight weeks;
C. No offspring may be sold or adopted until immunized against common diseases. The sale or adoption of a dog or cat shall include a statement signed by the seller or adopter attesting to the signatory’s knowledge of the animal’s health, and the animal’s immunization history;
D. Any holder of a breeding permit who advertises to the public the availability of any dog or cat for sale, adoption, or transfer, whether for compensation or otherwise, must prominently display the permit number in any such advertisement. Further, the breeding permit holder must provide the permit number to any person who purchases, adopts or receives any animal from the permit holder and include the permit number on any receipt of sale or transfer document;
E. Commercial establishments selling locally bred dogs or cats shall prominently display the breeding permit number(s) of the breeder(s) whose dogs and cats are sold in said establishments and any other pertinent information required by the General Manager; Commercial establishments selling dogs and cats which were not bred within the City of Los Angeles shall prominently display the name and address of the breeder(s) of such dogs and cats and any other pertinent information required by the General Manager;
F. Any breeding permit holder selling or otherwise transferring a dog or a cat, whether for compensation or otherwise, shall submit to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services the name, address, and telephone number of the animal’s new owner within five days from the sale or other transfer, on a Department approved form; and
G. Any breeding permit holder or commercial establishment which sells or otherwise transfers a dog or cat, whether for compensation or otherwise, shall provide to the new animal owner City application(s) for a license and permit as well as written information regarding the license and permit requirements of the City of Los Angeles applicable to such animal.
H. A breeding permit holder shall implant each offspring born to a permitted animal with an electronic animal identification device identifying the breeder. The identity of the breeder shall remain on the electronic animal identification device along with the identity of the new owner upon the sale or transfer of the animal. (Added by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.)
I. A breeding permit holder shall comply with all applicable local, state and federal requirements for humane standards of operation, maintenance and housing of animals and shall be subject to inspection by the Department. (Added by Ord. No. 182,605, Eff. 8/6/13.)
(5) The following animals are exempt from the breeding permit requirements:
A. Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actively used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement and rescue activities;
B. Dogs documented as guide, signal, or service dogs pursuant to California Penal Code Section 365.5(d), (e) & (f) and successor sections;
C. Dogs and cats certified by a licensed veterinarian as not being suitable subjects for spaying and neutering due to health reasons;
D. Dogs and cats under the care of governmental animal control agencies; animal rescue organizations which have demonstrated to the Department that they have implemented an ongoing spay/neuter plan, as well as an adoption plan; or humane societies or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, if such societies are incorporated under the provisions of California Corporations Code Section 10400 and the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law in Part 2 of the California Corporations Code, beginning at Section 5110, and successor sections; and
E. Dogs documented as enrolled in a guide, signal or service dog breeding program administered by a person licensed under Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 3 of the California Business and Professions Code.
(d) Penalties:
(1) A violation of the breeding permit provisions of this section is a misdemeanor. (Amended by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
(2) The Department may revoke any permit issued pursuant to this section upon a finding that the permit holder has violated its terms and conditions. Such a finding shall be made after an administrative hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section 53.18.5 of this Code; provided, however, that a finding by the Department’s hearing examiner that such violation had occurred, if this finding is sustained by the General Manager, shall result in the permit’s revocation, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 53.18.5(l) of this Code.
(3) (Deleted by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
(e) Sale, Adoption and Other Transfers of Dogs and Cats:
(1) Any person who offers or provides, whether for compensation or otherwise, any dog or cat for sale or other type of transfer, shall disclose to the transferee information regarding the license and permit requirements of the City of Los Angeles applicable to the transferred animal.
(2) No person shall present any dog or cat for sale, adoption, barter, exchange, or adoption, whether for compensation or otherwise, in any public place, without first obtaining a permit pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code section 53.50. The term public place shall include, but not be limited to, streets, highways, sidewalks, carnivals, shopping malls, flea markets, boardwalks, and areas in front of commercial establishments. This prohibition shall not apply to:
A. Government agencies; non-profit animal rescue organizations exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); or humane societies or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals if such societies are incorporated under the provisions of California Corporations Code Section 10400 and the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law in Part 2 of the California Corporations Code, beginning at Section 5110;
B. Permitted dog or cat shows; or
C. Permitted pet stores which sell or otherwise transfer dogs or cats, whether for compensation or otherwise, within the store.
(3) No person shall give away any dog or cat as a prize or as an inducement to enter into any contest, lottery, drawing, game or competition.
(4) No person shall give away any dog or cat as an inducement to enter a place of business, or to enter into a business arrangement.
(5) No person shall sell, barter, exchange or offer for adoption, whether for compensation or otherwise, any dog or cat to any minor under the age of eighteen years, without the written permission of one of the minor’s parents or legal guardians.
(6) Commercial establishments selling dogs and cats which were not bred within the City of Los Angeles shall prominently display the name and address of the breeder(s) of such dogs and cats and any other pertinent information required by the General Manager.
(7) Failure to display the breeding permit number or include it in any advertisement for sale, adoption or other transfer of dogs and cats is a misdemeanor. (Amended by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
(8) Possession of a valid permit under this section of the Code does not entitle the permit holder to engage in an activity which is otherwise prohibited by law.
(9) No person shall sell, offer or advertise for sale or adoption, barter, transfer or broker the transfer or sale for compensation or otherwise, any dog, cat or other animal under the age of six months within the City of Los Angeles, without first obtaining a transfer permit. This requirement shall not apply to: (I) pet dealers who conform to the provisions of California Health & Safety Code Section 122125-122220 or pet stores or other commercial establishments permitted to sell or transfer dogs and cats and who are regulated by the Department; (ii) governmental agencies; (iii) non-profit animal rescue organizations exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) that do not breed animals, are registered with the Department and comply with the rules and regulations of the Department, including early age spaying and neutering; (iv) humane societies or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals if such societies are incorporated under the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 10400 and the Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation Law in Part 2 of the California Corporations Code, beginning at Section 5110; or (v) a person who has a valid breeding permit from the Department and is selling or transferring a puppy or kitten pursuant to the breeding permit. (Added by Ord. No. 181,353, Eff. 11/18/10.)
(10) The term transfer permit means a written authorization issued annually in accordance with the permit process established in Sections 53.50 and 53.58, giving the permit holder permission to sell or transfer for compensation or otherwise, animals under the age of six months including dogs or cats. Each holder of a transfer permit shall pay an annual fee of $120.00 or an amount as revised by the Board of Animal Services Commissioners and approved by the City Council, and abide by the rules and regulations promulgated by the General Manager, including but not limited to limitations on the number of animals that may be transferred annually. (Added by Ord. No. 181,353, Eff. 11/18/10.)
(11) (Added by Ord. No. 181,353, Eff. 11/18/10.) In addition to the criteria and procedures established by the General Manager and such information as the General Manager shall request, the permit holder shall:
A. Prominently display the transfer permit number for the sale, adoption, or transfer of any animal under the age of six months, in any advertisement including but not limited to newspapers, newsletters, flyers, magazines or other publications, electronic media, internet or the posting of signs;
B. Certify that the permit holder is over the age of eighteen years and has not been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect;
C. Provide to any person who purchases, adopts or receives an animal under the age of six months a statement signed by the permit holder attesting to the signatory’s knowledge of the animal’s health and immunization history, and include a copy of the City’s license and permit requirements. The transfer permit number must appear on the sale or transfer document;
D. Provide the Department with the name, address and contact information for the breeder(s) and other source or origin of the animal, as well as the location at which the animal is located or will be kept if different from the address on the transfer permit;
E. Agree not to transfer a dog or cat until it has reached the age of eight weeks, has been weaned, micro-chipped, immunized against common diseases, and in the case of a dog four months of age or older, has received its rabies vaccination. Proof of the rabies and other vaccinations shall be provided to the new owner;
F. In the case of the sale, adoption or transfer of a dog, submit to the Department the name, address and telephone number of the new owner along with the micro-chip information on a Department approved form within five (5) days from the date of sale or transfer;
G. Agree not to transfer any dog, cat or other animal under the age of six months to any minor under the age of eighteen years;
H. Agree not to knowingly sell or transfer an animal for use in dog or animal fighting or in any other illegal activity;
I. Obtain a City business license and if applicable, a seller’s permit or license and/or resale and tax identification number from the State Board of Equalization or any other required license or permit; and
J. Comply with all tax laws and regulations.
(12) A violation of the transfer permit provisions of this Section may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the transfer permit and applicable law shall also be grounds for the revocation or suspension of the transfer permit. (Amended by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
(f) Temporary Moratorium on the Issuance of Dog Breeding Permits. (Added by Ord. No. 188,205, Eff. 5/27/24.)
(1) Initial Moratorium. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (c) of this section, upon the effective date of this subsection, the Department shall not issue any new dog breeding permit until the three-month moving average of the daily inventory count of all dogs at the City’s Department-operated animal shelters is equal to or less than 75 percent of the Department’s total dog kennel capacity. Thereafter, this initial moratorium shall be lifted and the Department shall resume issuing dog breeding permits in accordance with the provisions of Subsection (c).
(2) Intermittent Moratorium. If, anytime after the lifting of the initial moratorium in Subsection (f)(1), the three-month moving average of the daily inventory count of all dogs at the City’s Department-operated animal shelters is more than 75 percent of the Department’s total dog kennel capacity, an intermittent moratorium shall be imposed on the Department dog breeding permit operations for new dog breeding permits. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (c) of this section, upon the imposition of an intermittent moratorium, the Department shall not issue any new dog breeding permit until the three-month moving average of the daily inventory count of all dogs at the City’s Department-operated animal shelters is equal to or less than 75 percent of the Department’s total dog kennel capacity. Thereafter, the intermittent moratorium shall be lifted and the Department shall resume issuing dog breeding permits in accordance with the provisions of Subsection (c).
(3) For purposes of this subsection, “dog kennel capacity” shall mean the total number of kennels at the City’s Department-operated animal shelters that are designated for the general housing of dogs, and shall not include kennels designated for temporary holding purposes such as for isolation or quarantine.
(g) Severability. If any provision of this section is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this section. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this section and each and every provision not declared invalid or unconstitutional, without regard to whether any portion of the section would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Added by Ord. No. 188,205, Eff. 5/27/24.)
(Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
(a) Any person owning or having custody or control of any dog shall pay, in addition to a license tax, a fee in the sum of $91.50 for the processing and related costs of issuance of a dog license, except that for spayed female or neutered male dogs, or any dog certified by a licensed veterinarian to be incapable of breeding or being bred, a fee of $16.50 shall be paid. The provisions of Section 53.15 of this Code with respect to eligibility for the lower license tax specified there shall be equally applicable to eligibility for the lower fee specified in this Section. Any person eligible under the provisions of Section 53.15 of this Code for a lower license tax shall also be eligible for the lower license fee imposed by this Section and any person exempt under the provisions of Section 53.15 of this Code from paying the license tax shall be exempt from paying any the license fee imposed by this Section. License fees shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as the license tax.
(b) Failure by the owner or custodian of any dog to pay the license tax and fee required by this Article within 45 days from the date of acquisition of a dog four months of age or older, within 45 days of the dog reaching the age of four months, within 45 days of the date of expiration of any previously issued dog license, within 45 days from the date of mailing of notice to secure a license to the owner or custodian of any previously unlicensed dog, or within 45 days of the expiration date of the anti-rabies vaccination, is a misdemeanor. (Amended by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)
(Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
(a) The Department may authorize a duly licensed California veterinarian, pet hospital, pet store, licensed kennel or any duly licensed person engaged in the business of breeding, selling or otherwise transferring the ownership of dogs, to distribute dog license applications or puppy certificate applications to persons residing in the City of Los Angeles, and be paid for such services a sum not to exceed $2.00 or such other amount as determined by the Board of Animal Services Commissioners and approved by the City Council, for each application processed and license issued by the Department.
(b) The Department may also authorize a duly licensed California veterinarian, pet hospital, pet store, licensed kennel or any duly licensed person engaged in the business of breeding, selling or otherwise transferring the ownership of dogs, to sell dog licenses or puppy certificates to persons residing in the City of Los Angeles and be paid for such services by entering into an agreement with the Department establishing the conditions of such sale. The amount to be paid for such services shall not exceed $2.00 or such other amount as determined by the Board of Animal Services Commissioners and approved by the City Council.
(Amended by Ord. No. 183,527, Eff. 6/8/15.)
The Department may provide and implant an electronic animal identification device (microchip) in any dog, cat or rabbit at the request of the animal’s owner. The Department shall charge the owner a fee to provide and implant the microchip in the amount of $15.00 per animal, or such other fee established in Subsection (a) of Section 53.12. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,537, Eff. 6/21/18.)
The Department shall implant each dog, cat and rabbit adopted out of a Department shelter with a microchip. The fee for the implanted device for a dog, cat or rabbit adopted from the Department’s shelters shall be $15 per animal, or such other fee established in the manner set forth in Subsection (a) of Section 53.12 and promulgated by the Department. The fee for the microchip shall be paid in addition to any other adoption-related fee, except as otherwise expressly provided.
Loading...