[Amended 12-28-2009 by Ord. No. 57-2009]
A. It shall be unlawful for anyone to own, harbor or permit at large any exotic animal, domestic agricultural animal, or native wildlife animal within the City without a permit issued by the Animal Control Board. Such permit shall be given only if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the animal will not constitute a threat to public health or safety.
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]
C. The fee is levied per household, not per permitted animal. Fees are nonrefundable.
D. The application form shall include:
(1) The property address
(2) The property owner's name
(3) The applicant's name
(4) The type of exotic animal, domestic agricultural animal or native wildlife animal
(5) The number of animals to be permitted, by species
(6) Description of the animals to be permitted
(7) The purpose of keeping such animals
(8) A description of the quarters in which the animals will be kept and the facilities for sanitation and disposal of animal wastes
(9) Such additional information as may be required.
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. 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.