(A) Application. This permit/registration process shall apply to the following:
(1) Those exotic or wild animals set forth in § 3-1.12 already present in the county before October 3, 2017, the effective date of this chapter; and
(2) Exotic or wild animals not specifically prohibited by § 3-1.12.
(B) Fees.
(1) Payment of the non-refundable permit fee established by the County Commissioners per exotic or wild animal shall constitute the beginning of the permit/registration process.
(2) Any other fees arising from this process shall be at the expense of the owner or possessor of the animal.
(C) Compliance within 90 days.
(1) Applicants beginning the permit/registration process will be given a list of requirements that must be complied with before issuance of a permit.
(2) Applicants must complete compliance with the list of requirements no later than 90 days from the beginning of the permit/registration process.
(D) Requirements. Requirements for the issuance of a permit for an exotic or wild animal include but are not limited to the following:
(1) Proof of liability insurance coverage, with a minimum of $1,000,000 per claim, in order to compensate for personal injury or property damage caused by the animal, or, in lieu of insurance, a surety bond posted with the County Manager in the same amount, conditioned upon payment of such damages;
(2) The owner of the property harboring the exotic or wild animal shall post a sign at each entry point to the property in question, warning of the animal's presence, in order to assist Animal Control authorities in identifying the presence of the exotic or wild animal;
(3) Required signs shall be at least three-square feet in size, and shall, at a minimum, identify the following in reflective letters of a contrasting color so as to be easily read on the background of the sign:
(a) The word "WARNING" in all capitals at least four inches high;
(b) The common name of the exotic or wild animal;
(c) The location on the property of the exotic or wild animal; and
(d) The potential danger posed by the exotic or wild animal (biting, clawing, venom, constriction, kicking, and the like).
(4) Obtaining from a veterinarian a health certificate detailing the health and condition of the exotic or wild animal; and
(5) All exotic or wild animals shall be housed in facilities designed with the characteristics and potential dangers of the particular exotic or wild animal in mind, as determined by the Animal Control Officer.
(E) Issuance of a permit.
(1) When the exotic or wild animal owner or possessor has completed the list of restrictions, but no later than 60 days from the beginning of the permit/registration process, unless extended by the County Manager, the owner shall contact and arrange for an initial inspection by County Animal Control, which shall not unreasonably delay this initial inspection.
(2) (a) When County Animal Control has conducted its initial inspection and found the list of restrictions to have been completed in a satisfactory manner, it shall issue the permit to the owner or possessor of the exotic or wild animal.
(b) A condition of the permit shall be that the Animal Control shall have the right to periodic inspections to ensure compliance with this subchapter.
(3) The initial term of this permit shall be three years.
(4) This permit shall be renewable every three years, or the lesser of the life of the exotic or wild animal or the length of its residency in the county, upon payment of the $25 permit renewal fee, and satisfactory completion of a follow-up inspection by County Animal Control of the facility housing the exotic or wild animal.
(5) This permit shall be presented for renewal prior to the expiration of the current term; otherwise, the permit is considered expired.
(6) The county may adopt appropriate regulations to implement this subchapter.
(Adopted 10-3-2017)