Melrose, Massachusetts

§ 93-5 Special license required in certain cases.

A. No dog shall be kept for breeding purposes, nor shall more than three dogs be kept for any purpose, except such dogs as are under the age of six months, on any premises situated in the City unless a special license therefor shall have been obtained from the City Council.

B. Every special license referred to in Subsection A shall specify the premises on which dogs may be kept under its authority, shall remain in force until the 31st day of March next following and shall be expressly made revocable by vote of the City Council after hearing. No license to keep dogs on any premises in the City situated within 500 feet of any dwelling house shall be granted except after a public hearing, notice of the time and place of which shall be given, not less than seven days prior thereto, by publication in a newspaper published in the City and by mail to all owners and occupants of real estate abutting such premises or directly opposite such premises on any public or private way as they appear on the most recent tax list at the time the application for such license is filed.

§ 93-9 Registration and licensing.

A. Any and all persons who are owners or keepers of dogs residing within the City of Melrose shall register each dog which is six months old or older with the City Clerk and shall cause said dog to be licensed, numbered and described. The licensing period shall be on an annual basis commencing on January 1 of each year and ending on December 31 of each year.

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C. The City Clerk shall charge the following fees for the issuance of dog licenses. Said fees shall not be reduced or prorated in the event that the license is issued for less than one calendar year. Spayed or neutered dog: $20 per year; an intact dog: $23 per year. A late fee of $15 is to be imposed if not licensed by March 15 annually. No fee shall be charged for a license issued for a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act or regulations promulgated thereunder.