Soledad, California

6.04.020 – Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined, and certain provisions shall be construed as set out in this section, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.

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E. “Dog Breeding” means the parturition or rearing of more than two litters from all dogs on the premises in any twelve consecutive months, either in a private or commercial setting, where the offspring is sold for profit.

6.12.065 – Breeding licenses and fees.

A. Dog Breeding License. Any person who wishes to engage in dog breeding, as defined in Section 6.04.020.E, within the city with the intent to sell the offspring must obtain a dog breeding license. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in dog breeding without first obtaining a license from the city. The annual license fee for dog breeding shall be one hundred dollars per dog. This license shall not be in lieu of a business license for the sale of dogs, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5.05 Business License Taxes of this code, or the dog license that must be obtained for each dog involved in breeding pursuant to Section 6.12.030.

B. Application. An application for a license to breed dogs must be made in writing to the chief animal control officer and accompanied by the applicable licensing fee. This fee shall be nonrefundable. An application for renewal of a license shall be made at least forty-five days prior to the expiration thereof and shall be accompanied by the same fee required at the time for an original application. Complete applications shall be reviewed and approved or denied within thirty days of the date of submittal.

The application form shall include the following information:

1. The name and address of the applicant, the property owner or leaseholder;

2. The address, legal description or other sufficient identifying description of the property;

3. The number of dogs kept or expected to be kept on the property, in a number not to exceed four dogs over the age of four months;

4. The current license numbers of all dogs over four months of age located on the premises; and

5. Such additional information as may be required by the chief animal control officer to facilitate any required investigation.

C. Conditions for Issuance and Continued Validity of License.

1. Location. No dog breeding license shall be issued or renewed to any applicant where the housing structure for the dog(s) is located within fifty feet of any private residence, dwelling unit, apartment, motel, hotel, or other building used for human habitation.

2. Vaccination Prerequisite to Issuance of License. No dog breeding license shall be issued or renewed to any applicant until they have submitted certificates of vaccination approved by the chief animal control officer showing that each dog on the premises over two months of age has been vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.12.010(B).

3. Compliance with Animal Control Regulations Generally. No dog breeding license may be issued or renewed to any applicant that does not comply with all general regulations relating to animals, set forth in Chapter 6.20 of this title. Compliance with such rules and regulations is a prerequisite to the issuance and continued validity of any license provided pursuant to this section.

4. Business License. No dog breeding license may be issued or renewed to any applicant without proof that the applicant has applied for a business license pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5.04 of this code.

5. Compliance with Other Regulations. The city may establish regulations and standards relating to: the maximum number of dogs to be kept or maintained on the premises; the construction, sanitation, and maintenance of facilities; and any other regulations and standards in conformity with and for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this title. Compliance with such rules and regulations is a prerequisite to the issuance and continued validity of any license provided pursuant to this section. Additionally, the regulations set forth herein are not meant to supersede or supplant any regulations imposed by any other governmental entity, including the county and state, related to and required for dog breeding and sales in the city.

6. Inspection. As a condition to the issuance, renewal, or continued validity of a dog breeding license under this section, the chief animal control officer has the authority to inspect the premises at any reasonable time in accordance with Section 6.08.030.

D. Denial or revocation of license. The chief animal control officer may deny or revoke any license issued pursuant to this section in any of the following situations:

1. The chief animal control officer has determined that the applicant or license holder has committed a violation of this title or applicable state laws, fails to meet any of the conditions of the license, or has been convicted of cruelty to animals in this or any other state within the previous five years.

2. The chief animal control officer has reason to believe that the applicant or license holder has willfully withheld or falsified any information required for a license.

E. Duration. Dog breeding licenses shall be so issued for an annual period commencing on May 1st of each year and ending on April 30th of the following year.

F. Violations. Dogs kept in violation of this section are subject to impoundment in accordance with Chapter 6.24 of this title. Any person found to be engaged in breeding dogs for profit without a license or who otherwise violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine of two hundred dollars. A person is guilty of a separate offense for each dog being bred without a license and for every day during which a violation of any of the provisions of section is committed, continued, or permitted by such person. These fines shall be in addition to any cost or fee provided for in Chapter 6.24 for the redemption or disposition of impounded animals. Fines and fees may be subject to reduction or waiver, subject to available city funding and in accordance with policies adopted by city council resolution, upon written verification that any dog released from impound has been spayed or neutered within thirty days of release.

G. The provisions of this section shall be in addition to any and all other authority granted by this Code or statute meant to achieve the same purpose stated herein.