Staff Report
PREPARED BY : LYNNE LAMPROS
Deputy Town Attorney
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Finance Director , Community Development
Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ●A 40 8 -354 -68 32
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06 /19 /2018
ITEM NO: 1 7
D ATE : J UNE 12, 2018
TO : MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LYNNE LAMPROS, DEPUTY TOWN ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AMENDING CHAPTER 4.10 OF THE LOS GATOS TOWN CODE ENTITLED
ANIMALS AND FOWL
RECOMMENDATION :
Accept public comment and then move for the introduction and first reading of an Ordinance,
by title only, amending Chapter 4.10 of the Los Gatos Town Code e ntitled Animals and Fowls.
BACKGROUND:
TheATownA ttorney’sAOfficeAhasAconduct ed aAcomprehensiveAreviewAofAtheATown’sAMunicipalA
Code provisions regarding animals and fowl contained in Chapter 4.10 of the Los Gatos Town
Code . This Chapter has n o t been updat ed in many years and revisions are necessary to clarify
definitions and permitting requirements, allocate responsibilities for feeding and harboring
animals, and streamline the process for enforcement, hearings , and appeals.
DISCUSSION:
TheATown’sA ttorneyAOfficeAhasAreceive d frequent inquiries and complaints regarding issues
with animals that are not address ed in theATown’s current ordinances. In addition, Staff has
also received numerous complaints regarding the care and restraint of animals that are not
clearly addressed in the Town Code . sAaAresult,AtheATownA ttorney’sAOfficeA is proposing
amendments to address these issues in Chapter 4 of the Los Gatos Town Code entitled Animals
and Fowls.
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: INTRODUC TION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4 .10 OF THE LOS
GATOS TOWN CODE ENTITLED ANIMALS AND FOWL
J UNE 12 , 2018
DISCUSSION (continued):
The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 4 to the T own Code relating to the keeping and
feeding of animals with specific limitations and responsibilities to promote a safe and healthy
environment for residents, visitors , and animals . The Ordinance would also modif y the Town ’sA
process for enforcement, hearings , and appeals. Specific amendments pertaining to the
abatemen t of vicious dogs directs the hearing process to the Town ’sA administrative hearing
officer. Enforcement measures are also provided to ensure property owners and occupants
maintain proper ty conditions that prevent the harborage of wild or feral animals that are
detrimental to property values or human health or safety.
If the ordinance is adopted, Town staff will continue to work with animal owners and
individuals interacting with animals to gain voluntary compliance. If voluntary compliance
cannot be achieved, violations of this ordinance can be corrected through the administrative
procedures adopted by the Town Council in 2004 or pursued through a variety of other
methods, including nuis ance abatement and enforcement through the misdemeanor or
infraction process.
COORDINATION:
Town staff, including Community Development and Police,AandAtheATown’sAoutsideAcontractorA
for Animal Control reviewed and commented on the propos ed ordinance . Th is input helped to
ensure that the individual provisions match ed their experiences and needs in the field.
FISCAL IMPACT :
The fiscal impact of the proposed ordinance may result in additional revenue from
administrative penalties and fines as well as saving some staff time in achieving compliance.
There is no direct fiscal impact by this action.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed ordinance i s not a project defined u nder CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Draft Ordinance