Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall keep, maintain or have in his possession within the city any nondomesticated or other prohibited animals without first obtaining a permit from the police chief as hereinafter provided.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
An application for a permit required pursuant to this chapter shall be made in writing to the police chief upon a form furnished by the city, and shall be accompanied by an application fee in the amount set by city council resolution. The application shall be verified by the person who desires to keep, maintain or have in his possession or under his control in the city, the nondomesticated or other prohibited animal for which a permit is required, and shall set forth the following:
(a) 
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(b) 
The applicant's interest in such nondomesticated or other prohibited animal.
(c) 
The proposed location, and the name, address and telephone number of the owner of such location, and of the lessee, if any.
(d) 
The number and general description of all animals for which the permit is sought, as well as all other animals being or to be housed at the location.
(e) 
Any information known to the applicant concerning vicious or dangerous propensities of all such animals.
(f) 
The housing arrangement for all such animals with particular details as to safety of structures, locks, fencing, etc.
(g) 
Safety precautions proposed to be taken.
(h) 
Noises or odors anticipated in the keeping of such animals.
(i) 
Prior history of incidents concerning the public health or safety, involving any of such animals.
(j) 
Proof that the animal has been immunized against rabies if known to be susceptible to or a carrier of rabies.
(k) 
Any additional information required by the police chief at the time of filing such application or thereafter.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
(a) 
The police chief may issue a permit for the keeping of any animal if he determines that such animal, may be kept or maintained without menacing the safety of any person or property; provided, however, that the police chief may impose such conditions in granting a permit as he may deem necessary to protect the public and the animals and may limit the term of such permit.
(b) 
Within 10 days of notification of the issuance of a permit to keep a nondomesticated or other animal, the owner shall pay to the city an annual permit fee for each such animal, in an amount to be set by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
The applicant shall be notified in writing of the action of the chief of police or their designee in either granting or denying the permit, and if the application has been denied, the notice shall advise the applicant of their right to appeal to the city manager. Service of the notice may be made by personal service or by registered mail. If service is made by mail, it shall be deemed complete upon deposit in the United States mail directed to the applicant at his latest address shown on the application.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07; Ord. No. 2025-01, 1/21/2025)
The chief of police or their designee may, for good cause, revoke any permit or modify any terms or provisions thereof, after informal hearing, and may, in the event it is reasonably necessary to protect against an immediate threat to the public health or safety, suspend any permit or portion thereof without hearing for a period not to exceed 30 days. The permittee shall be given at least three days' prior written notice of any such hearing.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07; Ord. No. 2025-01, 1/21/2025)
Commercial establishments possessing such nondomesticated animals for the purpose of sale or display may replace the same with others of the same kind, but the number of each shall not be in excess of the number allowed by the terms of such permit. Such establishments may, in the discretion of the city, be granted a permit for such numbers of each kind of nondomesticated animals, birds or reptiles as do not exceed the maximum such establishments estimate will be maintained by them in the city at any one time during the period of the permit. Such permit shall require the immediate notification of the police chief upon the acquisition of any nondomesticated animal having a prior history of any incident involving the public health or safety, or resulting in any bodily injury or property damage.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)
(a) 
If any person is aggrieved by any action of the chief of police or their designee taken pursuant to this chapter, such person may appeal to the city manager by filing with the city clerk a statement addressed to the city manager setting forth the facts and circumstances regarding the action or failure to act on the part of the police chief. The city clerk shall notify the applicant in writing by registered mail of the time and place set for hearing the appeal. The city manager or their designee shall hold a hearing and determine the merits of the appeal, and may sustain, overrule or modify the action of the chief of police or their designee. The decision of the city manager or their designee shall be final.
(b) 
The right to appeal to the city manager from any action or decision of the chief of police under this chapter shall terminate upon the expiration of 15 days following the giving of notice to the applicant advising him or her of the action of the chief of police or their designee.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07; Ord. No. 23-01, § 1, 2-7-23; Ord. No. 2025-01, 1/21/2025)
The following persons are not required to obtain a special animal permit as provided in this chapter:
(a) 
Owners who use animals for diagnostic purposes or research, and who have a valid permit issued by a governmental agency and whose animals are kept on the premises specified in the permit.
(b) 
Owners who use animals for teaching purposes in recognized educational institutions and whose animals are kept on the premises of the institution or other authorized place.
(c) 
Owners of establishments which treat or board animals on the premises and which are owned or operated by veterinarians licensed by the State of California.
(d) 
Owners of establishments licensed to keep animals for the purpose of resale whose animals are kept on the premises of such establishment or other authorized place.
(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)