For the purpose of this Chapter, certain words and phrases are defined and certain provisions shall be construed as herein set forth, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.
(Prior code § 4100)
Dog includes any canine.
(Prior code § 4101)
Kennel includes any hospital or place where dogs are treated, conditioned, boarded, raised or offered for sale.
(Prior code § 4102)
Proper shelter includes any enclosure containing an adequate awning, roost or hover, calculated to protect a particular animal, bird or fowl from the intensity of a certain element to which said animal, bird or fowl may be sensitive.
(Prior code § 4103)
Sufficient sustenance is the amount of food and liquid generally accepted as standard for a particular animal, bird or fowl, and in a quantity sufficient to allay malnutrition.
(Prior code § 4104)
Unenclosed premises are premises not enclosed in such manner as to prevent any animal confined therein or thereupon from escaping therefrom.
(Prior code § 4105)
No person shall keep any wild animal, venomous or poisonous reptile, or monkey, bird or fowl within the City, unless such person shall have first obtained a permit from the Animal Control Officer so to do.
(Prior code § 4106; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
No person shall keep more than two horses, mules, burros, or jacks in an open corral within the City of Santa Monica unless such person shall have obtained a permit from the Animal Control Officer so to do. In no event shall any person keep any horse, mule, burro, or jack within three hundred feet of any "R" or "C" district as defined in Article 9 of this Code, except that any person operating a business in any "C" district which is principally devoted to the sale or display of animals may sell or display in such business any miniature horse, miniature mule, miniature burro, or miniature jack.
(Prior code § 4107; amended by Ord. No. 1293CCS, adopted 1/10/84; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
No person shall keep more than thirteen fowl of any sort within the City, unless such person shall have first obtained a permit from the Animal Control Officer so to do.
(Prior code § 4108; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
No person shall keep any pigs, bulls, or billy goats within the City unless such person first shall have obtained a permit from the Animal Control Officer so to do and in no event shall any person keep any hog, bull, or billy goat within three hundred feet of any "R" or "C" district as defined in Article 9 of this Code.
(Prior code § 4109; amended by Ord. No. 192CCS, adopted 7/12/49; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
No person shall keep more than one cow or two goats in an open corral within the City without first having obtained a permit from the Animal Control Officer so to do and in no event shall any person keep any cow or goat within three hundred feet of any "R" or "C" district as defined in Article 9 of this Code.
(Prior code § 4110; amended by Ord. No. 192CCS, adopted 7/12/49; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
No person shall stake, tie or fasten on any premises not surrounded by a fence, any bull, cow, horse, mule, jack, burro or goat, unless the same shall be so securely staked, tied or fastened as to prevent it breaking away and running at large.
(Prior code § 4111)
(a) "Bee" "Hive" "Requeen"
Definitions.
shall mean any stage of the common domestic honey bee, Apis Mellifera species.
shall mean a structure for the housing of a bee colony.
means to replace the queen bee in a colony with a younger and more productive queen, a common practice in beekeeping to prevent bee swarming.
(b)
General Requirements.
(1)
Hives may only be maintained on single-family residential property.
(2)
No more than two hives may be maintained on any single-family residential property.
(3)
All bee colonies shall be kept in inspectable hives consisting of moveable frames and combs.
(4)
Hives must be kept in sound and usable condition at all times.
(5)
Any person intending to maintain any bee hive on any single-family residential property within the City must first register with the City's Animal Control Office.
(c)
Hive Placement Requirements.
(1)
Hives shall be located at least five feet from all property lines.
(2)
Hive entrances shall face away from or parallel to the nearest property line(s).
(3)
Hives must either be screened so that the bees must fly over a six-foot barrier, which may be vegetative, before leaving the property, or be placed at least eight feet above the adjacent ground level.
(d)
Hive Management Requirements.
(1)
Hives shall be continually managed to provide adequate living space for their resident bees to prevent swarming.
(2)
Hives shall be requeened at least once every two years to prevent swarming.
(3)
A water source for bees shall be provided at all times on the property where the bees are kept to discourage bee visitation at swimming pools, hose bibs and other water sources on adjacent public or private property.
(4)
Hive maintenance materials or equipment must be stored in a sealed container or placed within a building or other bee-proof enclosure.
(e)
Nuisance. Bees or hives shall be considered a public nuisance when any of the following occurs:
(f)
Penalties for Violations.
(1)
Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars, or a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(3)
The remedies provided in this Section are not exclusive, and nothing in this Section shall preclude the use or application of any other remedies, penalties or procedures established by law.
(Prior code § 4112; amended by Ord. No. 2344CCS, adopted 1/11/11)
Conditions. Whenever in this Chapter the keeping of certain animals is made conditioned upon the obtaining of a permit therefor from the Animal Control Officer, such permit shall be in writing and the Animal Control Officer shall state therein the conditions upon which it is granted and it shall be the duty of the permittee to comply with said conditions. Any such permit shall be revocable at any time by order by the Animal Control Officer. Any violation of the terms and conditions of any such permit shall be punishable in the same manner and to the same extent as any violations of this Code are punishable.
(Prior code § 4113; amended by Ord. No. 192CCS, adopted 7/12/49; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
A.
No person shall keep or maintain in any dwelling more than four dogs over four months of age. A dog that is a service dog shall not be counted toward the number of dogs authorized to be owned, kept, or maintained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall be found in violation of this Section for keeping or maintaining in a dwelling more than four dogs over four months of age that were licensed as of the effective of this Section, unless such person keeps or maintains any additional dog over four months of age after the effective date of this Section and the total number of dogs over four months of age in the dwelling exceeds four.
B.
No person shall keep or maintain in any dwelling more than five cats over four months of age. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall be found in violation of this Section for keeping or maintaining in a dwelling more than five cats over four months of age that were licensed as of ninety days after the effective of this Section, unless such person keeps or maintains any additional cat over four months of age after ninety days after the effective date of this Section and the total number of cats over four months of age in the dwelling exceeds five.
C.
A residential tenant's violation of this Section shall not establish a nuisance per se for the purposes of any action to terminate the tenancy based on the tenant's alleged nuisance.
(Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
No person having control, charge or custody of any animal, shall permit the animal to stray, or run at large in or upon any private property without the property owner's or occupant's permission, any unenclosed private property or any public property, except as authorized by this Chapter. Any animal found straying or at large in or upon public property or private property may be impounded by the City. The City will endeavor to first return any cat with a license issued to pursuant Section 4.04.170 of this Code found running at large to its owner prior to impound upon a first offense. Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction which shall be punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars per violation with each day or partial day of violation counting as a separate offense.
In addition to the penalties herein above provided, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of the provisions of this Section shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be, by this City, summarily abated as such, and each day such condition continues shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.
(Prior code § 4114; amended by Ord. No. 1053, adopted 1/25/77; Ord. No. 1710CCS § 1, adopted 11/9/93; Ord. No. 1759CCS § 1, adopted 8/2/94; Ord. No. 2137CCS § 1, adopted 8/10/04; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
(b)
Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction which shall be punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars per violation with each day or partial day of violation counting as a separate offense.
(c)
Notwithstanding the above, this Section shall not apply to dogs in any area designated by resolution of the City Council for use by dogs if the person having custody or control of the dog is in compliance with all posted rules governing the use of the designated area. No person shall fail to comply with any posted rules governing the use of an area designated by resolution of the City Council for use by dogs. This Section shall also not apply to dogs under the control of Fire Department or Police Department personnel as may be authorized by the Fire Chief or Police Chief.
(d)
Every person having control, charge, or custody of any dog on public property who bites another person or animal while such person having control, charge or custody is in violation of this Section, shall be liable for actual damages or one thousand dollars, whichever is greater. This section may be enforced by any aggrieved person by means of a civil action. The remedy provided for by this subsection shall be in addition to any other remedies, penalties, or procedures established by law.
(Added by Ord. No. 2137CCS § 2, adopted 8/10/04; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025; Ord. No. 2830CCS, 10/14/2025)
Except as expressly permitted by this Chapter, no person having control, charge or custody of any dog shall permit the dog to be in or upon a school ground, public building, tot lot, playing field, tennis court, basketball court, other game court, or cemetery, and no person having control, charge, or custody of any dog or any cat shall hold, transport, or permit the dog or cat to be in or upon the beach sands lying westerly of that street commonly known as Oceanfront Walk or northerly of the westerly prolongation of the center line of California Avenue, or upon any object placed on the beach sands. For the purposes of this Section, "the beach sands" refers to any object on the sand other than the beach boardwalk, including, but not limited to, a towel, blanket, tarp, or other container whether or not held by a person. Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars per violation with each day or partial day of violation counting as a separate offense. In addition, any such dog or cat found in any such prohibited place may be impounded as herein provided. Notwithstanding the above, this Section shall not apply to:
(1)
Dogs which are being used by disabled persons as guide or service dogs, while such dogs are being used for such purposes;
(2)
Dogs in any area designated by resolution of the City Council for use by dogs if the person having custody or control of the dog is in compliance with posted rules governing the use of the designated area;
(3)
Dogs under the control of Fire Department or Police Department personnel for therapeutic purposes.
(Prior code § 4115; amended by Ord. No. 1501CCS, adopted 11/14/89; Ord. No. 1710CCS § 2, adopted 11/9/93; Ord. No. 1759CCS § 2, adopted 8/2/94; Ord. No. 2137CCS § 3, adopted 8/10/04; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person having control, charge or custody of any snake or other reptile, non-human primate (such as chimpanzees and monkeys), arachnids (such as spiders and scorpions), rodentia (rodents), lagomorpha (such as rabbits, hares, and pikas), or bird to permit such animal to be in or upon any City park, the beach, Interim Airport Open Space, Ocean Front Walk, the Pier, the Pier ramp, the Third Street Promenade, the Transit Mall, the Swim Center, and the public sidewalks and parkways immediately adjacent to any City park.
(b)
The following activities shall be exempt from the prohibitions contained in this Section:
(1)
Any person interacting with animals naturally inhabiting the public property; or
(2)
Any person transporting animals within a vehicle traveling on the public street; or
(3)
Governmental personnel operating on public property to protect public health, safety or welfare; or
(4)
Any other activity authorized by Federal or California State law.
(Added by Ord. No. 2481CCS § 1, adopted 3/24/15; amended by Ord. No. 2534CCS § 1, adopted 1/24/17)
Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in Municipal Code Sections 4.04.150, 4.04.155, 4.04.160, and 4.04.162, animals may be present on public property in accordance with the terms and conditions of a community events permit or film permit issued by the City.
(Added by Ord. No. 2137CCS § 4, adopted 8/10/04; amended by Ord. No. 2393CCS § 4, adopted 2/28/12; Ord. No. 2481 § 2, adopted 3/24/15)
(a)
Every person who harbors a dog within the City shall, and every person who harbors a cat within the City may, pay to the City an annual license tax in an amount to be established by resolution of the City Council. The City shall from time to time deliver to the person making such payment a license which shall describe the animal, together with a seal or metallic plate having thereon the number of such license, and figures indicating paid, provided for any dog that the person making the payment has filed with the City a certificate indicating the dog has been vaccinated in accordance with this Chapter and State law; otherwise, a receipt for payment shall be issued. Duplicates shall be issued for lost tags for an amount set by resolution of the City Council upon the filing of proof of such loss. Such metallic tags shall be attached to a collar or harness and such collar or harness with the attached tag shall be kept on such dog or cat at all times, excepting as otherwise provided in the Code.
(b)
The license fee herein mentioned shall be due and payable on the 2nd day of January each year and shall expire on the 31st day of December next ensuing. Where a dog or cat is acquired after the 2nd day of January, the license fee thereon shall be due on the date of acquisition of such dog or cat for such calendar year and thereafter on the 2nd day of January of each succeeding year.
(c)
In the event that any person shall fail, neglect or refuse to pay the required license tax for a dog license before the 1st day of April of each year, a penalty will be assessed, in addition to the prescribed license fee, in the amount of five dollars for every neutered male or spayed female dog and ten dollars for every un-neutered male or unspayed female dog.
(Prior code § 4116; amended by Ord. No. 1329CCS, adopted 2/19/85; Ord. No. 2137CCS § 5, adopted 8/10/04; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
Any person who harbors an unneutered male or unspayed female dog within the City, and who subsequently causes said dog to be neutered or spayed shall be entitled to a refund of the license fee paid hereunder for the year in which such dog is neutered or spayed upon presentation of proof to the City Clerk.
(Prior code § 4116A; amended by Ord. No. 997CCS, adopted 4/1/75)
The Animal Control Officer shall take possession of any dog, except those dogs not more than four months of age, found anywhere in the City without a collar or harness and tag as provided in this Code and shall impound the same under the provisions of this Code.
(Prior code § 4117; amended by Ord. No. 1329CCS, adopted 2/19/85; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
The annual license tax imposed upon a person harboring a dog shall not apply to any person conducting or maintaining a dog kennel in the City, but every person conducting or maintaining a dog kennel shall be required to pay the annual business license tax required for engaging in such business under the business license provisions of this Code.
(Prior code § 4118)
Dog licenses shall not be required for dogs brought to the City exclusively for the purpose of participating in dog shows or exhibitions, nor to any dog in the care, custody and control or any person who is a non-resident of the City and who is sojourning therein for a period not exceeding fourteen days. Every such dog shall have attached to his or her collar or harness a license tag showing that a license has been issued for such a dog by a public agency in the United States for the current calendar year.
(Prior code § 4119)
No person having control, charge or custody of any female dog shall permit the same to stray or run or in any manner to be at large upon any unenclosed land, public street, or other public place in the City while such female dog is in the copulating season. Any dog found in any such place in violation of the provisions of this Section shall be impounded by the Humane Officer.
(Prior code § 4120)
No person shall take the possession of any fowl, dog or other animal found running at large in the City, without notifying the Animal Control Officer at his or her headquarters within four hours after receiving possession of such fowl, dog or other animal, giving full description of the same, the address of the place where same may be found, and shall, upon demand of the aforesaid Animal Control Officer, surrender such fowl, dog or animal to him or her. Said Animal Control Officer shall impound such fowl, dog or other animal as in this Code provided, except that if the Animal Control Officer determines that no owner can be ascertained for an unaltered cat that is reasonably believed to unowned and found running at large, the Animal Control Officer may allow the person who found the cat to keep possession of the cat in order to have the cat spayed or neutered, and may allow such person to release the cat in the location it was found running at large. It is hereby made the duty of any police officer who shall have any knowledge or notice of any person having in his or her possession any such fowl, dog or other animal, to report the same to said Animal Control Officer.
(Prior code § 4121; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
The City Council may, by resolution, establish fees and charges for services rendered in connection with the handling of animals at the Animal Control Center, including, but not limited to, fees and charges for the impounding, disposal, boarding, placement, and vaccination of animals.
(Prior code § 4122; amended by Ord. No. 1112CCS, adopted 1/9/79)
Prior History: Former Section 4.04.250 Special fees for impounding, prior code § 4122A; repealed by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025.
A.
The Animal Control Officer shall post in a conspicuous place in the office of the City Animal Shelter a notice displaying thereon the full description of each such bird, fowl or animal impounded. It shall be stated in said notice that if the bird, fowl or animal is not redeemed by the person entitled to the possession thereof within three business days, said animals shall become the property of the City. Such notice shall not be posted for animals impounded pursuant to Section 4.04.265 of this Code unless an animal is not redeemed by the person entitled to the possession thereof after the expiration of the quarantine period required by Section 11.04.210 of the Los Angeles County Code.
B.
If an impounded animal is not redeemed at the expiration of the period specified in a notice posted pursuant to subsection (a), the Animal Control Officer shall offer such bird, fowl or animal for sale, the sale price to be equivalent to the amount of charges which have accrued for impounding and boarding or otherwise caring for such animal, and if such total sum is not obtainable, then any portion thereof.
C.
As an alternative to the offer for sale of such bird, fowl or animal, or in the event no one shall accept such offer, the Animal Control Officer may humanely dispose of such bird, fowl or animal, or in the case of a cat found running at large as part of an outdoor cat community who is reasonably believed to be unowned, the Animal Control Officer may, after vaccinating and spaying or neutering the cat, release the cat to a person who shall return the cat to the location at which it was found running at large. No stray dog or stray cat shall be euthanized pursuant to this Section if a nonprofit, animal rescue, or adoption organization requests the release of the animal before schedule euthanasia.
D.
This Section shall apply only to birds, fowl, and animals impounded pursuant to and for violations of this Chapter.
(Prior code § 4124; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
(a)
The Animal Control Officer shall have the power to summarily and immediately impound a dog or cat that is required to be quarantined pursuant to Section 11.04.210 of the Los Angeles County Code. The Animal Control Officer is authorized to enter and inspect private property to enforce the provisions of this Section.
(b)
An animal impounded pursuant to this Section may be returned to the animal's owner, in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.04.360 of this Code, upon the expiration of the quarantine period required by the Section 11.04.210 of the Los Angeles County Code, except that if the Animal Control Officer notifies the owner or custodian that the animal is dangerous pursuant to Section 4.04.280 of this Code before the expiration of the quarantine period, the Animal Control Officer shall not return the animal to its owner or custodian until the owner or custodian demonstrates to the Animal Control Officer an ability to comply with the restrictions of Section 4.04.290 of this Code. If the owner or custodian appeals a notice that an impounded animal is dangerous and the notice is overturned by the Hearing Officer, the Animal Control Officer shall return the animal to the owner or custodian within one business day of such determination by the Hearing Officer, in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.04.360.
(c)
Failure to surrender to the Animal Control Officer upon demand an animal which is subject to being impounded pursuant to this Section shall be a misdemeanor.
(Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
Any person who harbors any bird, fowl or animal within the City shall supply the same sufficient sustenance and proper shelter.
(Prior code § 4125)
(a)
Prohibition. No licensed medical professional or other person shall perform, assist in the performance of, or procure the performance of an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure by any means on any cat within the City.
(b)
Exception. Notwithstanding subsection (a), an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure may be performed within the City if the procedure is necessary to address a medical condition of the cat, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition in the claw, that compromises the animal's health. This exception does not allow procedures undertaken for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or for any person's convenience.
(c)
Penalty. Any person who violates this Section shall be guilty of misdemeanor and shall be fined in an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for a period of six months, or both.
(Added by Ord. No. 2300CCS § 1, adopted 11/10/09)
Upon receiving an affidavit from any person who has been bitten by a dog, cat or other animal or from any person who has witnessed an animal biting a person or another animal, the Animal Control Officer shall investigate. If the Animal Control Officer determines based on his or her investigation that the animal has bitten a person or another animal and caused at least one puncture on the flesh of the person or other animal, the Animal Control Officer may notify the person having the care, custody and control of such dog, cat or other animal in writing that the animal is dangerous.
(Prior code § 4126; amended by Ord. No. 1997CCS § 1, adopted 12/19/00; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
(a)
When the Animal Control Officer notifies the person having the care, custody and control of an animal that the animal is dangerous, the person having the care, custody and control of the animal must keep the animal securely restrained on his or her premises either by use of chain attached to the animal's collar or harness, or within an enclosure sufficiently strong to prevent the animal from escaping, until the Animal Control Officer issues a notice authorizing a different place for containment or a notice releasing the animal from containment. When the Animal Control Officer determines that a dog is dangerous, the person having care, custody and control of the dog shall additionally keep the dog muzzled and on a leash controlled by a responsible adult at all times when the dog is upon the public streets, public sidewalks, public parks, or any other public place within the City, or upon any private property which is not fully enclosed by fence or other barrier, until the Animal Control Officer issues a notice vacating the muzzle requirement. The Animal Control Officer shall issue a notice vacating the muzzle requirement if the owner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer that the conditions or behaviors that led to the dangerous animal determination have ceased and are not likely to return.
(b)
In addition to the foregoing restrictions, when the Animal Control Officer determines that a dog is dangerous, or as a condition of vacating a muzzle requirement for a dog that has been determined to be dangerous, the Animal Control Officer may issue a written order requiring that the owner maintain and provide proof of general liability insurance covering property damage and bodily injury caused by a dangerous dog in an amount no less than one hundred thousand dollars per occurrence.
(c)
Any person violating any provision of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars. Each violation of any subsection shall be a separate offense and shall be punished accordingly.
(Prior code § 4127; amended by Ord. No. 1997CCS § 2, adopted 12/19/00; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
Every person who owns or harbors a dog or dogs over four months of age in the City of Santa Monica shall have such dog or dogs vaccinated against rabies by a duly licensed veterinarian of his or her choice except as provided in Section 4.04.310 of this Chapter. Such vaccination shall be at intervals of twelve or twenty-four months depending on the type of vaccine used.
(Prior code § 4129; amended by Ord. No. 443CCS, adopted 5/13/58)
Section 4.04.300 shall not apply during such times as vaccination is refused by a licensed veterinarian because incompatible with the practice of veterinary medicine.
(Prior code § 4130; amended by Ord. No. 443CCS, adopted 5/13/58)
"Vaccination" and "vaccination against rabies" shall mean the inoculation of the dog with a chick embryo or nervous tissue vaccine approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, or any other vaccine approved by such department.
(Prior code § 4131; amended by Ord. No. 443CCS, adopted 5/13/58)
(a)
Each duly licensed veterinarian after vaccinating any dog or cat shall sign a certificate in duplicate containing the following information:
(1)
The name and address of the owner or harborer of the vaccinated dog;
(2)
The kind of vaccine used and the date of the vaccination;
(3)
The year and serial number of the dog or cat tag;
(4)
The breed, age, color, and sex of the vaccinated dog or cat;
(5)
Such other information as the City Manager may require.
He or she shall immediately present one copy to the owner of the vaccinated dog or cat and retain one copy. At the time of the vaccination of any dog or cat, the veterinarian shall also deliver to the owner of the dog or cat as evidence of such vaccination. The City Clerk shall not issue any license where vaccination is required until there has been presented to him or her for examination a certificate showing said vaccination. |
(b)
At least once each quarter, every licensed veterinarian in the City of Santa Monica shall notify the Animal Control Officer of the name and address for every person in the City of Santa Monica owning a dog or cat that the veterinarian has vaccinated in that quarter.
(Prior code § 4132; amended by Ord. No. 644CCS, adopted 3/24/64; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
Certificate Retained by Owner. Every owner of a dog shall, and every owner of a cat may, attach the tag evidencing a valid dog or cat license to the collar or harness of the vaccinated dog or cat and such collar or harness shall be worn by the dog at all times. The copy of the certificate shall be retained by the owner or harborer of the vaccinated dog or cat for inspection by the authorized persons.
(Prior code § 4133; added by Ord. No. 394CCS, adopted 2/14/56; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
Any person bringing any dog into the City shall comply with the laws, rules and regulations of the State of California and of the City of Santa Monica relating to dogs. Any dog brought into the City which has not been vaccinated within twelve months with nervous tissue or twenty-four months with chick embryo vaccine prior to importation shall be vaccinated within fifteen days after its arrival in the City. If the imported dog remains in the City for more than fifteen days, the dog shall be licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Article. A certificate of vaccination is issued by a duly licensed veterinarian from any other jurisdiction for the specific dog, establishing vaccination with an approved vaccine, may be accepted as evidence of vaccination.
(Prior code § 4134; added by Ord. No. 394CCS, adopted 2/14/56)
A.
Whenever an owner of an impounded dog or any person desiring to possess any impounded dog takes said dog from the pound, said persons shall within ten days after securing the release of said dog, present to the Animal Control Administrator a certificate showing said dog has been vaccinated as required by this Chapter.
B.
The owner or custodian of a dog or cat will be charged and shall be personally liable for the costs of impoundment, including daily board and care costs, vaccinations, medication and any other treatments as may be required to care for the animal in the reasonable discretion of the Animal Control Officer.
(Prior code § 4135; added by Ord. No. 394CCS, adopted 2/14/56; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
No person having the right and ability to prevent the same, shall knowingly, carelessly, or negligently permit any dog to deposit fecal matter upon any public property, including, but not limited to, public parks, streets, sidewalks, parkways, gutters and drains, or any improved private property other than that of the owner of said dog or person who has consented thereto, without immediately removing the fecal matter. Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars per violation.
(Prior code § 4136; amended by Ord. No. 1396CCS, adopted 1/13/87; Ord. No. 1710CCS § 3, adopted 11/9/93; Ord. No. 1759CCS § 3, adopted 8/2/94; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
Prior History: Former Section 4.04.380 Nuisance defined, prior code § 4137; added by Ord. No. 611CCS, adopted 6/11/63; amended by Ord. No. 1710CCS § 4, adopted 11/9/93; repealed by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025.
No person shall walk, or otherwise have in his or her custody or control, any dog upon any public property, including streets, sidewalks, public parks, parkways and alleys, unless the person has in his or her possession, and in plain view, readily usable materials or implements sufficient to remove and to dispose of lawfully any fecal matter that may be deposited on the ground by the dog. Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars per violation.
(Added by Ord. No. 1710CCS § 5, adopted 11/9/93; amended by Ord. No. 1759CCS § 4, adopted 8/2/94)
(a)
No person shall feed any animal or bird in or on the area described in Section 3.36.150 of this Code, the Municipal and Newcomb Piers, the public beach, or in any designated off-leash area of a public park, without authorization from the City Manager or the City Manager's designee.
(b)
No person shall permit any food or other matter edible by animals or birds to remain on the ground after dispersing or dropping it in or on any park, designated off-leash area, the Municipal and Newcomb Piers, the public beach, or public street or sidewalk, without authorization from the City Manager or the City Manager's designee.
(c)
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of an infraction. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of this Section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five dollars and not more than twenty-five dollars. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every commission of any violation of any provision of this Section and shall be punished accordingly.
(Prior code § 4138; added by Ord. No. 1027CCS, adopted 2/24/76; amended by Ord. No. 2137CCS § 6, adopted 8/10/04; Ord. No. 2769CCS, 12/12/23)
(a)
The City Council finds and declares that Animal Control Officers shall enforce laws of the State of California and municipal ordinances relating to the control of animals and have immunity from liability for acts performed in the course of such duties; that violators of animal control laws should be given the opportunity to be released on citation, rather than be taken into custody; that Animal Control Officers rather than Police Officers issue such citations; and that persons who refuse to sign citations be taken into custody by Police Officers and not by Animal Control Officers.
(b)
In the performance of their duties, Animal Control Officers shall have the power, authority and immunity of a public officer and employee as set forth in Penal Code Section 836.5 to make arrests without warrant whenever they have reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed a public offense in their presence which is a violation of this Article, or of any ordinance of the City of Santa Monica or Penal Law of this state relating to the care, ownership, licensing, treatment and impounding of animals.
(d)
Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce provisions of this Code, or where there is reasonable cause to believe that there exists a violation of this Code which may cause health or safety hazards to the community, the Animal Control Officer is authorized to enter upon private property at reasonable times to inspect or to perform duties authorized by this Code. If the property is occupied, the Animal Control Officer shall present his or her credentials to the occupant prior to requesting entry. If the property is unoccupied, absent exigent circumstances, the Animal Control Officer shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the property and request entry. If entry is refused or if the owner could not be located, the Animal Control Officer shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
(Prior code § 4139; added by Ord. No. 1122CCS, adopted 4/24/79; amended by Ord. No. 2344CCS, adopted 1/11/11)
(a)
Every person owning or having custody or control of a dog who knows or has reason to know the dog has bit a person or other animal causing at least one puncture of the flesh of the person or other animal, shall, no later than forty-eight hours after the bite, provide to the person that was bit or to the person owning or having custody and control of the other animal that was bit, his or her name, address, telephone number and the name and license tag number of the dog who bit the person or other animal. If the person having custody or control of the dog that bit is a minor, he or she shall instead provide identification or contact information of an adult owner. If the dog that bit is required by law to be vaccinated against rabies, the person owning or having custody or control of the dog shall, within forty-eight hours of the bite, provide the other person bite or person having custody or control of the other animal that was bit, with information regarding the status of dog's vaccinations.
(b)
If a person obligated by subsection (a) to provide his or her name, address, telephone number, dog name, license tag number, or rabies vaccination information to another person fails to do so, and the City is in possession of such information, the City may release the information to the person to whom it should have been provided pursuant to subsection (a).
(c)
Remedies and Penalties.
(1)
Any person violating subsection (a) of this Section shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.
(2)
Any person violating subsection (a) of this Section shall be subject to administrative fines and administrative penalties pursuant to Chapter 1.09 of this Code.
(3)
Any aggrieved person may enforce the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section by means of a civil action. Any person violating subsection (a) of this Section shall be liable for actual damages or one thousand dollars, whichever is greater.
(4)
The remedies provided by this Section are not exclusive, and nothing in this Section shall preclude the use or application of any other remedies, penalties, or procedures established by law.
(Added Ord. No. 2830CCS, 10/14/2025)
Prior History: Former Section 4.04.410 Vicious dogs, prior code§ 4140; added by Ord. No. 1306CCS, adopted 4/24/84; amended by Ord. No. 2137CCS § 7, adopted 8/10/04; repealed by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025.
Any animal owner who is aggrieved by a decision of the Animal Control Officer made pursuant to Municipal Code Section 4.04.280 may obtain review of that determination by filing a notice of appeal with the Animal Control Officer. A hearing shall be conducted by a Hearing Examiner in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 6.16.030 of this Code.
(Added by Ord. No. 2137CCS § 8, adopted 8/10/04; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
(a)
Unless otherwise specifically provided, any person violating any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars per violation, or imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both fine and imprisonment, or shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars.
(Added by Ord. No. 2481CCS § 3, adopted 3/24/15)