For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
shall mean any permanent or mobile commercial establishment
where an animal may be cleaned, styled or have appearance maintained,
with the exception of preparation for medical purposes or procedures.
shall mean persons engaged in the cleaning, styling, and
appearance maintenance of animals, or the handling of animals in preparation
for these services.
shall mean any tethering device where a loop is placed around
the head or neck of an animal but the amount that it tightens is limited
or restricted when pressure is applied.
shall mean any tethering device where a loop is placed around
the head or neck of an animal but the amount that it tightens is not
limited or restricted when pressure is applied.
shall include, but is not limited to, International Professional
Groomers, International Society of Canine Cosmetologists or National
Dog Groomers Association of America. Such organization shall adhere
to standards of care, safety and sanitation that are similar or equivalent
to those set forth by the Professional Pet Groomers and Stylists Alliance.
shall mean any device used to restrain or tether an animal
to a grooming table or other surface.
(Ord. 04-692 § 1, 2004; Ord. 18-1046 § 1, 2018)
In addition to the information prescribed by the Director, all
applications for a license to conduct an animal grooming business
must contain the following information:
1.
The
complete address and all telephone numbers of the animal grooming
business;
2.
A complete
list of the names and residence addresses of all proposed employees
employed by the animal grooming business and the name and residence
addresses of the manager or managing employee proposed to be principally
in charge of the operation of the animal grooming establishment;
3.
The
two previous addresses of the applicant immediately prior to the present
address of the applicant;
4.
The
animal grooming or similar business history and experience of the
applicant;
5.
Whether
or not such person, in previously operating an animal grooming establishment
or similar business in this or any other city or state under license
or permit, has had such license or permit denied, revoked, or suspended
and the reasons therefor;
6.
The
applicant must report if any employee, with direct contact with animals,
ever has had a license or certification for working as an animal groomer
revoked or suspended, and the reason therefor;
7.
All
criminal convictions of the business and the owner/applicant, excluding
traffic or infraction violations;
8.
Such
other information and identification deemed necessary by the Sheriff's
Department;
9.
Proof
of a valid vehicle registration for mobile animal grooming businesses,
or for any vehicles used for the animal grooming business.
(Ord. 04-692 § 1, 2004; Ord. 08-800 § 2, 2008)
1.
Staff Requirements.
a.
Any
animal grooming facility shall have a responsible person on the premises
to act as manager and supervise employees during all business hours.
b.
Groomers
that are employed by the licensee on or after the effective date of
the ordinance codified in this chapter shall not work unsupervised
on any animal unless the groomer has:
i.
Obtained certification for their level of responsibility from a nationally
recognized organization; or
ii.
Graduated from an animal grooming school and have a minimum of one
year of practical, professional animal grooming experience; or
iii.
Completed an animal grooming apprenticeship program commensurate
with their level of responsibility.
2.
Inspection Authority. Any city official, city employee,
or employee of Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, authorized
to enforce the provisions of this chapter of the West Hollywood Municipal
Code may conduct an inspection of the premises licensed under this
chapter at any reasonable time to ensure compliance with the provisions
of this chapter.
3.
General Facility Requirements.
a.
Facilities
for animals must be constructed, equipped, and maintained so as to
continuously provide a healthful and sanitary environment for the
animals kept or to be kept therein. Equipment shall be maintained
in accordance with all applicable laws and industry standards.
b.
Animal
holding or drying areas shall be large enough to allow the animal
to stand, lie down and turn around.
c.
Cages
and grooming areas such as tables, benches, and tubs shall be structurally
sound and maintained in good repair.
d.
Animal
enclosures, cages or other restraint devices shall be constructed
to prevent injury to the animals. Enclosures may have wire flooring
provided that the wire is of adequate gauge to prevent sagging under
the weight of the animals, and the mesh is small enough to prevent
their feet from passing through.
e.
Grooming
personnel must be within four feet of the animal during all bathing
or grooming procedures.
f.
A
consultation with the customer shall take place prior to the grooming
to discuss health and temperament concerns and to establish the animal's
previous grooming history.
g.
All
tethering devices shall be equipped with a quick-release feature.
h.
Grooming
nooses, chokers, slip collars, pinch collars, and prong collars shall
not be used as tethering devices.
i.
Any
tethering device, harness, or restraint used shall be of appropriate
style, size, and strength for the animal to which it is attached.
j.
Animals
with a collapsed trachea or other breathing problems shall neither
be tethered nor restrained in such a manner as to inhibit its ability
to breathe and all reasonable efforts shall be made to reduce or prevent
pressure to the neck of such animal.
k.
Grooming
loops and tethering devices shall be fastened to the animal in a manner
that minimizes discomfort to the animal. Animals with known medical
or temperament issues shall be tethered in a manner that does not
create unnecessary discomfort for the animal.
l.
Grooming
arms, by which the animal is restrained, shall be animal friendly
and secure.
m.
Video
recording devices shall be installed and maintained in good working
order in all bathing and styling areas of grooming facilities. All
recordings shall be maintained for a period of no less than seven
days. Any recording of animal mistreatment, injury or death shall
be preserved for a period of no less than three years.
n.
Grooming
tabletops shall be equipped with a non-slip surface that is easy to
clean.
o.
Bath
tubs and the floor immediately outside of the tub shall be covered
in a non-slip surface.
4.
General Operating Requirements.
a.
The
business shall take every reasonable precaution to ensure that animals
are not abused, mistreated, neglected or endangered in any manner
made to suffer by any persons or means. Any tack, equipment, device,
substance or material that is or could be injurious or cause unnecessary
cruelty to any animal is prohibited.
b.
All
pet animal grooming facilities shall have a working relationship and
written acknowledgement from a veterinarian to provide timely veterinary
care as appropriate for illness or injury. The name, address and phone
number, and hours of operation, of the veterinarian will be available
to the inspector upon request, and shall be posted.
c.
Anti-bark
collars and sedatives shall not be used on any animal without written
permission of the guardian of the animal.
d.
Animals
which are natural enemies, temperamentally unsuited, or otherwise
incompatible shall not be quartered together or so near each other
as to cause injury or torment.
e.
Animals
shall not be boarded at the facility, and shall only be kept at the
facility for a reasonable time in order to perform the business of
grooming.
f.
Each
animal shall be kept in an individual cage unless grouping of animals
is requested by pet guardian(s).
5.
Cleanliness Requirements.
a.
The
interior facility surfaces, walls, cages, counters, and tables shall
be constructed and maintained so that they are water resistant and
can be cleaned and sanitized.
b.
All
cages, benches, tables, tubs, etc. shall be sanitized after one animal
ceases to occupy the space, before another occupies the same space.
c.
Equipment
such as brushes, combs and clipper blades shall be sanitized between
uses on different animals.
d.
The
hair or fur on the floor around each grooming station shall be removed
after each animal. Common areas of the facility shall be kept in good
repair and cleaned each business day.
e.
Hair,
waste and refuse shall be removed from the facility and disposed of
daily so as to minimize odors, disease hazards and vermin infestation.
7.
Dryers.
a.
Cage
dryers with a fully enclosed drying chamber in which the animal is
placed, and without safety air vents, are prohibited.
b.
Dryers
must be located and oriented to be in clear and full view at all times.
c.
Dryers
must be monitored by an animal groomer at all times while in operation.
d.
All
dryers must be equipped with a timer that will automatically shut
off the dryer after fifteen minutes, unless it is a hand-held dryer
or a dryer directly attended by a person.
e.
Dryers
must be maintained and kept in top operating condition. They shall
be replaced if the dryer shows signs of malfunction, which is not
or cannot be repaired.
8.
Records. Current and up to date animal files must be kept
at the facility, at all times, which shall include injuries, severe
illness, seizure and/or death which occur at the grooming facility.
The incident file shall cover the most recent three-year period. The
records shall be available to the public, upon request during regular
business hours.
9.
Reporting. The manager or person in charge must report all
grooming-related injuries requiring medical attention and the deaths
of any animal at the facility within twenty-four hours of the occurrence
of such incident. Notification is to be made to the City of West Hollywood
Code Compliance Manager by telephone. Such notification must include
the name, address and phone number of the guardian of the injured
or deceased animal.
10.
Mobile Animal Groomers. Mobile animal grooming businesses
shall be required to have an animal grooming license and comply with
all provisions of this chapter. In addition to these standards, mobile
animal grooming businesses shall be required to maintain and provide
proof of valid vehicle registration.
(Ord. 04-692 § 1, 2004; Ord. 18-1046 § 2, 2018; Ord. 19-1059 § 1, 2019)
