[Added 6-23-2014 by Ord. No. 48-2014]
A. It shall be unlawful in any dwelling unit for a person to harbor, house, own, or possess more than six cats, or more than six dogs, or a combination of more than six such animals, over the age of three months without registration with the City Property Maintenance Division, or designated Animal Control Officer and the issuance of a permit.
B. The application for such permit shall be on a form supplied by the City and shall be submitted to the Property Maintenance Division along with a fee for the first calendar year in an amount as set by ordinance, as provided in Chapter 212, Fees. The fee shall be disbursed partly to the Designated Animal Control Authority and partly to the City to cover the costs of inspections and administration, as provided in Chapter 212, Fees. [Amended 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 35-2013]
Registration and permitting under this section are free.
C. The registration and permit application form shall include:
(1) The name and address of the applicant
(2) Description of the animals
(3) The purpose of keeping such animals
(4) A description of the quarters in which the animals will be kept and the facilities for sanitation and disposal of animal wastes
(5) Registered veterinarian's health certification for each animal to be covered by the permit, verified by an affidavit
(6) Such additional information as may be required.
D. The Animal Control Officer shall visit the address and consider other relevant conditions, including but not limited to:
(1) The odor emanating or likely to emanate from the premises to persons off the premises
(2) The noise emanating or likely to emanate from the premises to persons off the premises
(3) Animals and animal quarters are kept in clean and sanitary condition with adequate ventilation
(4) Animals shall be kept healthy and free from sickness and disease at all times
(5) The security with which the animals will be restrained
(6) Prior complaints regarding animals at the premises
E. Upon satisfactory inspection and review, a City of Reading permit shall be issued to the applicant, which shall bear an identifying number for the animal(s) and the date of issuance. Unless revoked for violation of this Part, the permit shall be valid for a period up to three years, or for the duration that the animal's rabies vaccination is effective.
F. Upon complaint, the Animal Control Officer and/or Property Maintenance Inspector shall revisit the location to assess the current conditions and may revoke the permit at that time.
G. This Part applies only to persons with more than six animals in a residential dwelling unit. This Part shall not apply to licensed kennels, pet shops, animal grooming shops, veterinary shelters or hospitals, and shall not be construed to exclude persons from other applicable animal control requirements.