Each dog shall have an identification tag, tattoo or microchip, and such identification must be securely fastened to and/or displayed upon the dog at all times, except while the dog is confined to the owner's premises or while displayed in an exhibition.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Dogs shall be licensed within 30 days of reaching the age of four months, or within 30 days of acquisition by the owner, whichever occurs later.
(B) 
Licenses shall be valid for at least 12 months from the date of issuance and shall be issued upon payment of the fee set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(C) 
Licenses issued under prior existing County ordinances shall remain valid until expiration.
(D) 
No license shall be issued unless proof of antirabies vaccination is presented and is valid for the license period. The Director may accept payment for the license fee for a dog that has not been vaccinated against rabies, if the owner or custodian has the dog vaccinated within 30 days of payment and submits written proof of vaccination to the Director.
(E) 
A license may be sold for less than the full 12-month license period if the antirabies vaccination expires prior to the full license period. Fees for partial-term licenses will be prorated on a monthly basis, with a minimum fee of $5.00 to cover administrative costs.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Microchip Requirement. All dogs, cats, and rabbits over the age of three months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. Nothing in this section supersedes, eliminates, or alters the licensing requirements of this chapter.
(B) 
Exemptions. The microchip requirements shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) 
A dog, cat, or rabbit with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily injury, if implanted with the microchip identification, due to the health conditions of the animal. The owner must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a California licensed veterinarian. If the dog, cat, or rabbit is able to be safely implanted with an identifying microchip at a later date, the date must be stated in the written confirmation.
(2) 
A dog, cat, or rabbit that is kenneled or trained in the County of Santa Cruz but is owned by an individual that does not reside in the County of Santa Cruz. The owner must keep and maintain the animal in accordance with the applicable laws and ordinances of the jurisdiction in which the owner of the animal permanently resides, including but not limited to the applicable licensing and rabies vaccination requirements of that jurisdiction.
(3) 
Rabbits used for commercial purposes, rabbits defined as livestock or rabbits used for educational purposes such as FFA or 4-H.
(C) 
Transfer, Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits.
(1) 
An owner who offers any dog over the age of three months for sale, trade, or adoption must provide the microchip identification number and the valid dog license number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption. The license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the dog to the new owner.
(2) 
An owner who offers any cat or rabbit over the age of four months for sale, trade, or adoption must provide the microchip identification number with the offer of sale, trade, or adoption. The microchip number must appear on a document transferring the cat or rabbit to the new owner.
(D) 
Impounded Animals. When an impounded dog, cat, or rabbit is without microchip identification, the Animal Shelter shall, at the expense of the owner, implant microchip identification in the animal before releasing it to the owner.
(E) 
Fees for Microchip Identification. The fee for the identifying microchip shall be included in the cost of adoption when adopting a dog, cat, or rabbit from the Animal Shelter.
(F) 
Allocation of Fees and Fines Collected. All costs, fees and fines collected under this section shall be paid to the Animal Shelter for the purpose of defraying the cost of the implementation and enforcement of this chapter.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
License tags shall be securely displayed upon dogs at all times, except when the dog is confined to the owner's premises or displayed in an exhibition.
(B) 
A license is not transferable to another dog and shall be void upon transfer of a licensed dog to another owner; provided, however, that a new license may be purchased for the required license replacement fee as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Every owner of any dog, other than a dog hybrid, over the age of three months or older, within the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County shall, at intervals specified by the California Department of Public Health, procure the vaccination of the dog by a licensed veterinarian with an approved canine antirabies vaccine and administered according to the vaccine label, unless a licensed veterinarian determines, on an annual basis, that a rabies vaccination would endanger the dog's life due to disease or other considerations that the veterinarian can verify and document. Every owner of a dog hybrid over the age of three months within the County is required to provide proof of annual rabies vaccination with an inactivated canine rabies product.
(B) 
Exemptions.
(1) 
A request for an exemption from the requirements of this section shall be submitted on an approved form developed by the California Department of Public Health and shall include a signed statement by a licensed veterinarian explaining the inadvisability of the vaccination and a signed statement by the dog owner affirming that the owner understands the consequences and accepts all liability associated with owning a dog that has not received the canine antirabies vaccine. The request shall be timely submitted to the County Health Officer, who may issue an exemption from the canine antirabies vaccine.
(2) 
The County Health Officer shall report exemptions issued pursuant to this section to the California Department of Public Health.
(3) 
A dog that is exempt from the vaccination requirements of this section shall be considered unvaccinated.
(4) 
A dog that is exempt from the vaccination requirements of this section shall, at the discretion of the County Health Officer or the Officer's designee, be confined to the premises of the owner, keeper, or harborer, and when off the premises, shall be on a leash the length of which shall not exceed six feet and shall be under the direct physical control of an adult. A dog that is exempt from the provisions of this section shall not have contact with a dog or cat that is not currently vaccinated against rabies.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Any veterinarian who vaccinates or causes or directs to be vaccinated in the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Cruz any dog with the antirabies vaccine shall:
(1) 
Use a certificate approved by the Animal Shelter to certify that such animal has been vaccinated; and
(2) 
Send a copy of the completed certificate to the Animal Shelter within 30 days from the date the dog is vaccinated.
(B) 
If the dog is vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian located outside the County of Santa Cruz, the owner/guardian or person with a right to control the dog must submit a copy of the vaccination certificate to the Animal Shelter within 30 days from the date that the dog is vaccinated or brought into the unincorporated area of the County, whichever date is later in time.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Fees for licenses, duplicate tags and transfers of ownership shall be as established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(B) 
The full amount of such fees will be payable for any portion of the calendar year. The license issuer shall keep a record of the name and address of the owner, and the number and date of issuance of the certificate and tag.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
A penalty fee, as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall be charged for late renewal of a license. "Late renewal" is defined as the first day of the month past the due date.
(B) 
A penalty fee, as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall be charged to any owner who fails to apply for an initial Santa Cruz County license within the times specified in this chapter.
(C) 
Any penalty shall be in addition to the applicable license fee and payable at the time the license is issued or renewed.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Fees shall be waived for licenses issued for any dog documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used as a service dog such as a guide dog, hearing dog, or seizure alert dog. A service dog license shall be valid for the life of the dog, or so long as the dog remains the property of the person issued the license and is still providing the services documented on the application.
(B) 
License fees for dogs owned by persons aged 65 or older shall be reduced by the amount equal to the license fee for a sexually unreproductive dog for one dog per household.
(C) 
A fee may be waived by the Director if they determine that payment of such fee would create an extreme financial hardship for the animal owner or the adopting party.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
The Department may establish a program to promote dog licensing compliance by training and authorizing outside salespersons and vendors to sell licenses to the public at specified places or areas throughout the County.
(B) 
The Department may deduct a fee, as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, from each license fee collected by the Department, to cover commissions paid to outside salespersons. Commissions shall only be deducted from licenses actually sold by outside salespersons.
(C) 
The Department may also deduct a fee, as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, from each license fee collected by the Department, to cover fees paid to license vendors. The vendor fee shall only be deducted from licenses actually sold by vendors.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
A dog displaying a current license from a jurisdiction outside the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, but within the State, shall be licensed locally within 30 days of being housed in the unincorporated area. If licensed locally within 30 days of being housed in the unincorporated area, and if the dog remains in the possession of the owner to whom the license was originally issued, the owner shall not pay any license or transfer fees associated with such licensure.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
A license is not required for the keeping of the following animals as pets: birds; domestic rodents (e.g., mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas); fish; cats; nonvenomous reptiles less than six feet in length; and rabbits.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Definitions. For purposes of this section, the words and terms set forth below are defined as follows:
(1) 
"Animal facility"
means any premises used by an animal-related business or organization, including a nonprofit humane organization, grooming shop, kennel, pet shop, domestic animal boarding facility, or domestic animal breeding facility. This section does not apply to equestrian boarding facilities.
(2) 
"Animal Facility Grade Card"
means a card issued by the Director, showing the letter grade earned by an animal facility, as stated in the most recent Animal Facility Inspection Report. The letter grade received by the facility is based on the final score reflected on the grade card.
(3) 
"Animal Facility Inspection Report"
means the report of the Director stating the conditions existing at the facility at the time of the inspection.
(4) 
"Boarding facility"
means an animal facility used for the care and temporary boarding, including day care, of dogs, cats, and other animals normally kept as pets, in return for money or other consideration. "Boarding facility" does not include an animal hospital that only boards animals receiving medical treatment.
(5) 
"Breeding facility"
means an animal facility that breeds dogs, cats, or other animals normally kept as pets, for sale or exchange.
(6) 
"Domestic animal"
is defined as cats, dogs, and other small animals intended to live inside a residential home and does not include livestock.
(7) 
"Kennel"
means any site meeting the definition of a kennel under SCCC § 13.10.700-K. For the purposes of this section, "kennel" shall not include any place or premises not operated as a commercial business and where pet animals are only occasionally sold, boarded, groomed, or trained.
(B) 
General Requirements. A person, including a new owner of an existing organization or business, cannot conduct or operate an animal facility within the unincorporated area of the County without first obtaining a license from the Director and any other applicable agency. The Animal Shelter shall serve notice on all animal facilities within the County regarding the licensing process and allow six months for the application process from the date notified. Operation of an animal facility without a license constitutes an infraction.
(C) 
Requirements for Specific Animals.
(1) 
Dogs. It is unlawful to keep more than three dogs at any business or organization without an animal facility license. For purposes of this section, a service dog serving a person who is disabled within the meaning of Government Code Section 12926(i) or (j) is not counted toward the number of dogs kept or maintained. If a dog at an animal facility is kept as a pet and is not kept exclusively in a kennel run or cage, that dog must be separately licensed as set forth in SCCC § 6.08.010.
(2) 
Cats. It is unlawful to keep more than five cats at any business or organization without an animal facility license. Each cat must be kept primarily indoors.
(D) 
License Application.
(1) 
A person who seeks to operate an animal facility must file an application with the Director and pay the required fee. The fee is nonrefundable.
(2) 
A person who operated an animal facility without the required license must pay the required penalty in addition to the license fee.
(3) 
An animal shelter maintained and operated by a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals duly incorporated under Title 1, Division 2, Part 4, of the California Corporations Code shall not pay license fees.
(E) 
Inspection of Premises. Prior to issuing or renewing a license, the Director will inspect the relevant premises and, at their discretion, conduct any further investigation necessary regarding the application. If an initial license or renewal fee has been paid within the preceding 12 months, and a reinspection is necessary to determine compliance with licensing requirements, the licensee shall pay a reinspection fee.
(F) 
License Issuance.
(1) 
The Director shall issue a license if the following requirements are met:
(a) 
The maintenance of the animals at the facility will not violate any Federal law, State law, or ordinance of the County of Santa Cruz, or constitute a menace to the health, peace, or safety of the community;
(b) 
The applicant has received confirmation from the County Planning Director that the maintenance of the animals at the facility will not violate a zoning ordinance or other land use plan; and
(c) 
The applicant has not had an animal facility license denied or revoked within the County of Santa Cruz within the 12-month period before the date of the application. However, the Director may issue a license within that 12-month period if the applicant can show that the grounds for the denial or revocation no longer exist.
(2) 
If a ground exists to deny a license, the Director may issue the license subject to conditions rather than denying it.
(G) 
License Term. The term of an animal facility license is 12 months following the date of issuance, unless sooner revoked by the Director, or unless the licensee changes the location of the facility or sells or otherwise transfers ownership of the animal facility, in which case the license shall terminate immediately.
(H) 
Display of License. The holder of an animal facility license must post the current license in a conspicuous place at the premises.
(I) 
License Suspension or Revocation. The Director may suspend or revoke a license for violation of any provision of this Code, or State or Federal law, relating to the care and treatment of animals; or if it becomes clear that false statements were made to obtain the license; or if the facility changes locations.
(J) 
License Renewal. If the holder of an animal facility license wishes to continue operations after the license term expires, the holder must file a renewal application and pay the required renewal fee before their current license expires. A person who has not applied for a renewal license within 30 days after their prior license expired must obtain a new license and pay the applicable fees and penalties.
(K) 
Inspection and Grading Authority. The Director is authorized to inspect an animal facility at any time, grade the conditions at the facility, and report any relevant findings in an Animal Facility Inspection Report. The Director shall issue a letter grade based on the findings reflected on the Animal Facility Grade Card and in the Animal Facility Inspection Report. The Director is authorized to take appropriate licensing or other legal action as a result of their findings.
(L) 
Animal Facility Grading.
(1) 
Purpose and Basis for Grading. The Director shall grade animal facilities to provide notice to the public of the conditions at the facility at the time of the most recent inspection. The grading standards shall be set forth in the Animal Facility Inspection Report. The report shall be available to the public upon request.
(2) 
Metric for Grading. The letter grade reflected in the Animal Facility Inspection Report is based on the facility's level of compliance with applicable Federal and State laws, local ordinances, and stated internal policies relating to the care and treatment of animals. The grade is based on the facility's score as follows:
(a) 
Grade of A: 90 percent and above;
(b) 
Grade of B: 80 percent to 89 percent;
(c) 
Grade of C: 70 percent to 79 percent.
A score of 70 percent is the minimum grade required to maintain a license in good standing. A score of less than 70 percent will result in denial of an original or renewal application or suspension or revocation of an animal facility license.
(3) 
Display of Grade Card.
(a) 
The facility is required to post the Animal Facility Grade Card as follows:
(i) 
In the front window of the facility within five feet of the front door;
(ii) 
In a display case mounted on the outside front wall of the facility within five feet of the front door;
(iii) 
In a location as determined by the Director to ensure proper notice to the general public and to patrons; or
(iv) 
If an animal facility is operated in the same building or space or shares a common customer entrance as a separate business, in the initial customer contact area, or in a location determined by the Director.
(b) 
The Animal Facility Grade Card must not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden, or removed. Except as provided in subsection (L)(3)(c) of this section, it is unlawful to operate an animal facility unless the Animal Facility Grade Card is displayed as required by this section.
(c) 
The Director may waive posting of the Animal Facility Grade Card when the animal facility consists of animals maintained solely as personal pets that are not used to breed, show, sell, adopt, or otherwise transfer ownership or custody.
(M) 
Records Required for Each Animal.
(1) 
The operator of an animal facility must keep the following records available on the premises for inspection:
(a) 
The name and current contact information of the owner of each animal kept at the facility;
(b) 
The date the animal entered and left the facility, including any animal that died while at the facility;
(c) 
The reason that the animal was at the facility, such as for boarding, sale, breeding, or grooming; and
(d) 
The description of the animal, including its age, breed, sex, color, and other available identifying information, such as an animal license number, tattoo, or microchip registration number.
(2) 
A current, valid rabies certificate must be maintained for every dog and cat older than four months of age while the dog or cat is kept at the animal facility. Vaccination records must be provided to a new owner upon transfer.
(3) 
Any animal facility selling dogs and/or cats to the public must post a notice containing the breeder's name, address, and license number on each dog's or cat's cage. If the breeder's name is not known, the name and address of the person from whom the dog or cat was obtained must be displayed.
(4) 
A violation of any requirement of this subsection (M) is a misdemeanor.
(N) 
Liability of Licensees for Acts of Employees. Licensees are liable for the acts and omissions of individuals employed at the facility.
(O) 
Miscellaneous Requirements.
(1) 
Provision of Lists of Animals Sold. Licensees must complete and maintain a form provided by the Department listing all animals sold and submit it to the Department upon demand.
(2) 
Advertisements for Sale. An advertisement for the sale or adoption of an animal must include the animal facility license number or breeding license number of the seller.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)
(A) 
Obtaining a License. A male Old English Game, male game bird, or male gamecock facility license may only be issued to a person who resides in a Residential Agricultural zone district in Santa Cruz County, is approved by the Director, and complies with the following requirements:
(1) 
A person who seeks to keep or maintain more male Old English Games, male game birds, or male gamecocks than allowed under SCCC § 6.12.145 must file an application for a facility license and pay the required fee.
(2) 
The number of additional male Old English Games, male game birds, or male gamecocks allowed to be kept with a license will be determined according to several factors relating to the public health, welfare, and safety, including but not limited to the following: parcel size, proximity to neighbors, sanitation, and ability to meet animal care standards. No more than 10 male Old English Games, male game birds, or male gamecocks may be kept or maintained on any property with a license.
(3) 
Any person who seeks a license is subject to an on-site inspection of the premises by an animal control officer, State Humane Officer, or peace officer upon demand.
(4) 
A person who seeks a facility license as part of a local chapter of 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) or the California State Grange must meet all of the following requirements:
(a) 
Provide written proof of current membership in 4-H, FFA or the California State Grange to the licensing official;
(b) 
The male Old English Games, male game birds, or male gamecocks on the property are designated in the 4-H, FFA or the California State Grange project documentation.
(B) 
Fees and Penalties. The amount charged for a license and the amount charged for penalties for exceeding the license limitations and late renewal of the license will be determined by resolution of the Board of Supervisors and set forth in the Santa Cruz County Unified Fee Schedule.
(Ord. 5388 § 2, 2022)