§ 93.01 KEEPING CERTAIN ANIMALS; RESTRICTIONS.
    (A)   No person shall keep or maintain any livestock or fowl, except as provided in this chapter, or maintain any structure or enclosure for keeping such animals within 25 feet of any dwelling or building used for human habitation other than that of the owner of said animal or the owner's family.
   (B)   It shall be lawful for any member of a recognized national pigeon association, to keep, house, and maintain racing homing pigeons and fancy breeds of pigeons which are banded with numbered leg bands showing the same to be registered with the associations, providing the pigeons are maintained in a closed loft and are exercised only on the owner’s property. The pigeons shall be allowed so long as they do not constitute a nuisance or create a hazard to public health.
   (C)   No person shall keep or maintain any building or enclosure where the livestock or fowl is kept unless he or she shall keep the same at all times in a clean, neat, and sanitary condition and free from substances attracting rodents and insects.
   (D)   Maximum number of pets; multiple pet permits. Except as specifically authorized herein, a person commits an offense if he owns or harbors, on the premises of a single residence within the city, more than three pets or companion animals, in any combination. A person commits an offense if he owns or harbors, on the premises of a single residence within the city, in addition to the permissible number of pets or companion animals, more than one litter of pets or companion animals at any given time. The owner or person who has custody of a dog or cat may retain the puppies or kittens borne of the dog or cat exceeding the permissible numbers set forth in this section for 12 weeks after the birth of the animals.
      (1)   Exception. It is an exception to prosecution under this section if the owner has been issued and possesses a valid permit, issued by the Animal Control Officer, authorizing the owner to keep or harbor pets or companion animals in numbers greater than provided.
      (2)   A person desiring to keep more than three pets or companion animals in any combination on the premises of a single residence shall apply to the Animal Control Officer for a multiple pet permit.
      (3)   The issuance of a multiple pet permit shall be within the discretion of the Animal Control Officer and, under no circumstances, shall a permit be issued for the keeping, on the premises of a single residence within the city, of more than five pets or companion animals in any combination. Under no circumstances shall a permit be issued for the keeping, on the premises of a single residence within the city, of more than two litters of pets or companion animals at any given time.
         (a)   The applicant, or any member of the applicant's household, must not have been charged with any animal control violation in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of the application;
         (b)    The applicant must permit the Animal Control Authority, upon reasonable notice, full access to the residence and premises for the purpose of physical inspection of the premises.
         (c)    The premises must meet, both upon initial inspection and upon any subsequent inspection, the following minimum criteria.
            ( i )    Facilities shall be of sufficient size as to allow each animal to move about freely. Size of the facility shall be in proportion to the size of each individual animal's height and weight.
            (ii)   The premises shall be kept in a sanitary condition and reasonably free of animal waste, parasites, insects, and flies that could be harmful to the animal's health and or to the health of the general public.
      (4)   Multiple pet permits shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance and shall be maintained and displayed to the Animal Control Officer or other officer upon request.
      (5)   Multiple pet permits are issued to specific owners of animals and for the specific premises identified therein. An application for a new multiple pet permit will be required if the original permittee moves to a new residence within the city.
      (6)   A multiple pet permit is subject to revocation by the Animal Control Authority for cause including, but not limited to, the applicant, or any member of the applicant's household, is charged with any animal control violation. Any violation by the permit holder of provisions of this ordinance or failure of the premises, upon inspection, to meet the minimum criteria established herein for animal and public health and safety.
      (7)   COMPANION ANIMAL. For the purposes of this section, COMPANION ANIMAL is defined as dogs and domesticated cats over the age of six months. Neither livestock nor fowl as defined herein shall be considered pets or companion animals.
      (8)   Exception. In addition to the maximum number of pets, an individual may possess a set number of Gallus Domesticus granted via a valid permit by the Animal Control Officer under § 93.54.
(1975 Code, § 6-1) (Ord. 558, passed 9-20-1971; Am. Ord. 1337, passed 6-6-2022) Penalty, see §  93.99