No person shall have, keep, maintain, breed, sell, trade or let for hire, any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal without first applying to any receiving special authorization from the Health Officer. The keeping or maintenance of such animals shall also conform to the appropriate zoning codes as well as laws and regulations promulgated by the State of California and the Federal government.
The Health Officer may authorize the keeping or maintaining of any wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal when, in his or her opinion, any such animal may be kept or maintained without endangering the safety of any person, any animal or property, nor create a nuisance; provided however, that the Health Officer may require any such animal be properly caged, tethered, or restrained, and may create such additional requirements as may be necessary and proper under the circumstances. The Health Officer shall also require that the owner or keeper of any privately-owned wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal pay a license fee as specified in the County Schedule of Fees; the initial fee to be paid at the time of application. The Health Officer may revoke such authorization when, in his or her opinion, the safety of any person, other animal or property is endangered, or the keeping of such animal creates a nuisance.
The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to licensed circuses, carnivals, zoos, or other collections of wild animals under jurisdiction of a city, or the State or Federal government.
(Ord. 962, passed - -1961; Am. Ord. 1512, passed - -1969; Am. Ord. 1764, passed - -1972; Am. Ord. 2995, passed - -1986; Am. Ord. 3804, passed - -2000)