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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. 53.25. COLLECTION – DEPOSITING OF.
 
   All moneys received by the Department for licenses issued under the provisions of this article and all moneys collected under actions brought as herein provided to recover unpaid license taxes, and all moneys received by said Department from sales of animals, or as fees from any source, shall be paid by the Department into the City Treasury and credited to the departmental receipts of said Department. (Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
 
 
SEC. 53.26. LICENSE TAXES – RIGHT TO SUE FOR RECOVERY.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
 
   The amount of any license tax or penalty imposed by this article shall be deemed a debt to the City of Los Angeles. Any person owning, having or keeping any dog in this City without having obtained a license so to do shall be liable to an action in the name of this City in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount of any license tax imposed by and required by this article to be paid for the privilege of keeping and having such dog. It shall be the duty of the General Manager of the Department to cause a complaint to be filed against any person violating any of the provisions of this article and to cause an action to be brought against any person failing to pay any license tax required by the provisions of this article for the recovery of such tax. Such action shall be cumulative and shall not be deemed as a bar to or a waiver of the right of this City to prosecute any person for a violation of this article.
 
 
SEC. 53.27. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP; NOTICE REQUIRED.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)
 
   The owner or operator of any dog hospital or pet shop, and any person engaged in the business of breeding dogs or a veterinarian who sells, gives away or in any manner causes the ownership or permanent possession of any dog, whether over four (4) months of age or not, to be transferred to any person, shall notify in writing the Department of that fact within five (5) days after the date of such sale or transfer. Such notice shall state the kind of dog, the name of such dog, if any, and the name, address, telephone number and if known, the electronic mail address, of the person to whom such dog has been sold or transferred.
 
 
SEC. 53.28. HARBORING OF UNLICENSED DOGS.
 
   No person shall have, harbor or keep any unlicensed dog that is over the age of four months.
 
   A Municipal Corporation may require the licensing of dogs.
   People v. Harrington (1940) CR A 1701.
   People v. Harrington (1941) CR A 1828.
   In re Ackerman (1907) 6 Cal. App. 7.
   Simpson v. City of Los Angeles (1953) 40 Cal. 7 271.
 
 
SEC. 53.29. FEMALE DOGS AND CATS, STRAYING DURING SEASON.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 130,868, Eff. 10/25/65.)
 
   Every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any female dog or cat shall strictly confine such animal during its copulating season, i.e., while it is in heat or in season, in a building or other adequate enclosure designed to keep such dogs or cats on the premises of said person.
 
 
SEC. 53.30. KEEPING OF DISEASED OR CRIPPLED ANIMALS.
 
   No person shall have, keep, or harbor any animal which is known or believed by the person to be infected with any dangerous or communicable disease, or which is in an incurable crippled condition, or which is afflicted with any painful disease which is believed by such person to be incurable, except as in this article otherwise provided.
 
 
SEC. 53.31. PUBLIC SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC.
 
   (a)   Authority for Clinic and Fees. (Amended by Ord. No. 180,697, Eff. 6/26/09.) The General Manager is hereby authorized and empowered to establish Department operated clinics at which members of the public may have dogs and cats spayed or neutered in a humane manner upon payment of a $40.00 fee for each animal, or such other fee established in the manner set forth in Subsection (a) of Section 53.12 and promulgated by the Department.
 
   Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fee shall be charged for spaying or neutering a dog whose owner has applied for and qualifies to be issued a free license under Subsection (f) of Section 53.15 of this Code for such dog.
 
   Nor shall a fee be charged for spaying or neutering a cat owned and maintained by a person 62 years of age or older, provided that the combined adjusted gross income of all members of the household in which such person resides is less than the “very low income” limitation for residents of the City of Los Angeles, using the figure in effect on the preceding first day of April as determined by the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. No more than three cats per person or household may be spayed or neutered free of charge, except that upon satisfactory proof of loss or death of a cat that was spayed or neutered free of charge under the provisions of this Subsection, a replacement cat may be spayed or neutered free of charge for the same person. (Amended by Ord. No. 181,268, Eff. 9/26/10.)
 
   (b)   Consent Form and Waiver. (Added by Ord. No. 141,123, Eff. 11/19/70.) Persons submitting dogs or cats for the above service shall sign a consent form certifying thereon under penalty of perjury that they are the owner of said animals or are otherwise authorized to present the animal for the above operation and such persons may be required to furnish proof of such ownership or authority.
 
   Such consent shall contain a waiver of any and all liability of the City, the Department of Animal Services and City employees for any injury or death to an animal arising out of the aforementioned operation or any services provided incidental thereto.
 
   (c)   Board and Care Charge. (Added by Ord. No. 141,123, Eff. , 11/19/70.) The department shall establish a return date by which persons submitting animals for the above operation shall pick up said animals or be subject to a reasonable board and care fee to commence the day after such return date.
 
   Failure to pick up an animal within 15 days of said return date shall be deemed abandonment of such animal and the General Manager may dispose of it by sale or destruction.
 
   (d)   Suspension of fees. The fees and charges imposed by this section are hereby suspended for the period September 26, 1987 through and including January 22, 1988. (Added by Ord. No. 162,744, Eff. 9/24/87.)
 
 
SEC. 53.32. ANIMALS – DISPOSAL OF.
 
   It shall be the duty of the General Manager of the Department and the General Manager is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sign a death warrant and order the destruction by any employee of the Department, of any animal lawfully taken into custody of the Department which in the opinion of the General Manager is, by reason of old age, unfit for further use, or which is infected with any dangerous or communicable disease, or which is in an incurably crippled condition, or which is adjudged by a written report of a licensed veterinarian to be afflicted with any painful or incurable disease. (Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
 
   The General Manager shall issue and sign a death warrant for and authorize the destruction by a police officer or other person of any animal inflicted with any dangerous or communicable disease or which is in an incurable crippled condition.
 
 
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