(A) It shall be unlawful to keep or harbor:
(1) More than four dogs and/or more than four cats, six months of age or older on any premises zoned or used, either partially or totally, for residential purposes and less than two acres in area.
(2) In addition, it shall be unlawful to keep or harbor, per household, more than two potbellied pigs, two pygmy goats or four ferrets, six months of age or older.
(3) In no event shall the aggregate number of domestic animals exceed a total of four.
(4) Registration of all animals is required.
(B) Animals in excess permit.
(1) An animals in excess permit, in accordance with the provisions of this division, shall be required for any number of animals in excess of the number allowed in division (A) of this section. An animals in excess permit shall be renewed annually. The animals in excess permit application shall include the following:
(a) The name and address of the applicant;
(b) The number of animals to be kept at the premises;
(c) The facilities used to house all animals;
(d) A statement giving permission for the Animal Control Officer to inspect the premises where the animals are kept;
(e) Signature of the applicant; and
(f) Signature of the Animal Control Officer approving the permit.
(2) Upon receipt of a complete application for an animals in excess permit, the Animal Control Officer or his or her designee shall inspect the premises to determine the suitability of conditions for harboring such animals under the requested permit. The officer may consider the totality of health and safety factors including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Amount of area;
(b) Cleanliness;
(c) Safety of confinement;
(d) Breed of animals;
(e) Age of animals;
(f) Altered or unaltered status; and
(g) Complaint history for the animals or owner.
(3) The officer may grant a conditional animals in excess permit as is appropriate under the circumstances for the harboring of the animals. The Animal Control Officer may revoke or deny any animals in excess permit and impound any animal under certain conditions including, but not limited to:
(a) After determining, with the assistance of a veterinarian, that an animal was abused or neglected;
(b) That violations of any applicable law or ordinance have occurred; or
(c) If it is found that animals in addition to those specified on the permit are harbored at the location.
(C) Application procedures; fees. Application for initial issuance or renewal of each permit and/or registration must be made by the owner, in writing or in person, and be accompanied by a fee as set forth in Appendix 1, Fee Schedule, § 4.00. If the original current registration or permit is lost or destroyed, the owner must pay the required fee to obtain a duplicate.
(D) Registration renewal or transfer, charges. Registrations shall be renewed annually and new tags issued at renewal. If there is a change in ownership, the new owner shall have the registration transferred to his name within ten days. If the registration is current and valid, there shall be no charge for the transfer.
(E) Registration fee exemptions.
(1) The following shall be exempt from any registration fees. However, registration of these animals is still required:
(a) Assistance animals;
(b) Foster care animals; and
(c) Senior citizens’ animals.
(2) Owners of assistance and foster care animals shall be prepared to provide documentation of the status or training of these animals by supporting organizations. Senior citizens may be asked to show verification of their age.
(Ord. 914, passed 10-14-04) Penalty, see § 10.99