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ORDINANCE NO._________
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS , CALIFORNIA AMENDING
CHAPTER 4.10 OF THE LOS GATOS TOWN CODE ENTITLED ANIMALS AND FOWL
WHEREAS, Chapter 4 of the Town Code entitled Animals and Fowl provides for the regulation
and control of animals in the incorporated areas of the Town of Los Gatos; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of Chapter 4 was undertaken to examine for accuracy,
releva nce , streamlining, and language; and
WHEREAS, this amendment to the Town’s M unicipal C ode is necessary for the health, safety
and welfare of the Town and its inhabitants .
NOW, THEREFORE , the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1 . AMENDMENT OF MUNICIPAL CODE . Chapter 4.10, Animals and Fowl is hereby
amend ed to read as follows with n ew text shown by underline and deleted text shown by
strikethrough.
Chapter 4 - ANIMALS AND FOWL
ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL
Sec. 4.10.00 5. - Adoption.
The animals and fowl ordinance of the County of Santa Clara as that ordinance is set out
below with conforming amendments and deletions is adopted as and for the domestic animal
code of the Town of Los Gatos with the exception of regulations governing hors es which are set
out more fully below in section 4.120.005 and following.
Sec. 4.10.010. - Definitions.
The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
a. Abandoned animal: An animal that is left without proper and necessary care for the
animal ’s well -being for twenty -four hours or an unreasonable period of time.
“Abandoned animal” shall also mean any animal, lawfully impounded by the Town, for
which the owner has not paid fees, rates or charges relating to the detention of the
animal.
a.b. Animal: Any live vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, except fish Any multi -celled living
creature other than plants and humans, including but not limited to birds, cats, dogs,
fishes, fowl, rabbits, and reptiles.
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b.c. Animal control officer: Any person authorized to act on behalf of the Town Manager in
the enforcement of this chapter, and on behalf of the County Health Officer in the
enforcement of rabies control laws and in the enf orcement of state laws .
c.d. Animal menagerie: Any place where dangerous animals are kept or maintained for any
purpose, including places where dangerous animals are boarded, exhibited, trained, or
kept for hire.
d.e. Animal shelter: A facility operated by a public jurisdiction or by an accredited, tax -
exempt humane organization for the purpose of impounding, harboring, selling,
placing, or destroying seized, stray, distressed, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted
animals.
f. Animal rescuer : Any person or organization that provides temporary housing and care
for domestic animals with the purpose of placing those animals with a new and
permanent owner in a new home and that provides evidence satisfactory to the Town
Manager or Town Attorney o f a history of active placement or an affiliation with a
recognized group with a history of active placement.
e.g. Apiary : bees, hives and associated appliances wherever the same are kept. Located or
found.
h. At large means:
(1) The presence of any animal when it is off the premises of its owner and not
restrained by a 6 -foot leash under the control of a person physically capable of
retaining control of the animal; or
(2) When the animal is on the premises of its owner and not restra ined by a 6 -foot
leash, fence or other adequate enclosure sufficient to prevent ingress and egress of
the animal or not under the control and/or the immediate presence of its owner; or
(3) When a female dog is in estrus and not within a house, vehicle or other
enclosure adequate to prevent male dogs gaining access to the female dog.
f.i. Bees : honey -producing insects of the species apis mellificia, including the adults, eggs,
larvae, pupae, or other immature states thereof, together with such materials as are
d eposited into hives by their adults, except honey and rendered beeswax.
g.j. Cat: A domestic cat (Felis catus ).
h.k. Commercial kennel: Any person or facility engaged in the commercial breeding of dogs
or cats, or both, for sale, individually or in litter lots; or in the boarding, training, sale or
hire of dogs and/or cats for compensation, except that animal hospitals maintained by a
veterinarian licensed by the State of California as part of the practice of veterinary
medicine, animal shelters, or private kennels shall not be considered commercial
kennels.
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Dangerous animal: Any wild, exotic, or venomous animal, or other animal which
because of its size, disposition, or other characteristic would constitute a danger to
persons , or property.
l. Dangerous :animal: any wild or exotic mammal, reptile or fowl which is not naturally
tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or disposition, and which, because of its size,
vicious nature, or other characteristics constitutes a danger to human life, other
animals, or property.
m. Dangerous dog: Any dog, except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law
enforcement duties, that:
(1) Without provocation, has bitten a person while on public or private property;
(2) Has a known propensity, tendency or disposition for unprovoked attack, causing
injury and threatening the safety of people or domestic animals;
(3) Without provocation, chases or approaches people or domestic animals on the
streets, sidewalks or any public gr ounds in a threatening manner or apparent
attitude of attack;
(4) Has been specifically trained to guard persons and/or property;
(5) Has inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal on public or private property; or
(6) Any dog declared potentially dangerous, dangerous or vicious in another
jurisdiction.
(7) Has, after having been designated potentially dangerous, engaged in the same
behavior that resulted in that designation.
n. Dog: A domestic dog (Canis familiaris ).
o. Domestic animal: Any animals that are lawfully a nd commonly kept as pets including,
but not limited to dogs, cats and birds, rabbits and fowl.
i.p. Domestic bird means birds that are lawfully and commonly kept as pets, including, but
not limited to, budgies, canaries, cardinals, cockatiels, cockatoos, finch es, lories,
lorikeets, lovebirds, macaws, parakeets, parrots, sparrows, toucans and weavers.
q. Euthanasia means the humane destruction of an animal.
j.r. Exotic means any animal not normally kept as a domestic or household pet, fowl,
livestock, including but not limited to lions, tigers and monkeys .
s. Feral animal means any homeless , stray, wild or untamed domestic animal .
t. Fowl: Any larger domestic bird such as a domesticated chicken, duck, goose, guinea
fowl, peafowl, peacock, turkey, dove, pigeon, game bird or similar bird intended for
human consumption or for the production of eggs for human consumption.
u. Grooming parlor: Any commercial place where animals are trimmed, bathed, or
groomed.
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v. Guardian : an owner of an animal with the same duties and obligations under this title as
an owner .
w. Harbored: The feeding or sheltering of an animal for three or more consecutive days.
x. Health officer: The director of public health or any person authorized to act on his or her
behalf.
k.y. Hearing officer : a person designated by the Town Manager or the Town Manager's
designee to hear and decide any matter authorized pursuant to this Title. The designated
hearing officer shall be an impartial person, such as: (1) a T own employee from a
department not involve d in the prosecution of the matter to be decided, or (2) a person
selected from a panel of hearing officers of any size assembled by the Town Manager or the
Town Manager's designee, or (3) a person hired from an organization which provides
hearing officers. Hearing officers shall be selected in such a manner that the hearing officer
does not have a financial incentive to decide a matter to a particular conclusion. The
employment, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits of the hearing officer
shall not be directly or indirectly conditioned upon or affected by the result of any lawfully
performed hearing.
y.z. Horse establishment: Any person keeping three (3) or more horses, donkeys,
mules, jack, hinny, jenny burros, or ponies for any or all of the following purposes:
(1) For hire to be ridden or driven;
(2) For giving riding instructions;
(3) For boarding with compensation.
aa. Livestock : all domestic or domesticated bovine (cattle type), equine (horse type), ovine
(sheet type), porcine (swine type), corvine (deer type), caprine (goat type), and ratite
(ostrich type) animals.
bb. Lot: A single parcel of land for which a legal description is f iled of record or the
boundaries of which are shown on a subdivision map or record of survey filed in the
Office of the Santa Clara County Recorder.
cc. Manager or Town Manager: Town Manager or any person authorized or designated by
the Town Manager to act on the Town Manager's behalf.
dd. Owner: Any person who acknowledges ownership of an animal or who harbors or keeps
an animal for five (5) or more consecutive days. Owner means a natural person over the
age of eighteen who owns, possesses, harbors, controls or ha s custody of an animal. All
adults residing at the same property address shall be rebuttably presumed to be the
owner of any animal owned, possessed, harbored or controlled on the property. If an
entity other than a natural person claims ownership of an an imal, every natural person
that exercises control over, or has an ownership interest in the entity has been deemed
to be an owner of the animal for purpose of this Title.
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ee. Ownership : any person keeping, harboring, controlling, having custody of, or possessing
one or more animals for a period of not less than five days.
z.ff. Person: Any individual, establishment, firm, association, organization, partnership, trust,
corporation, or company.
aa.gg. Pet : any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
hh. Pet shop: A person or facility who obtains animals for sale, exchange, barter, or hire to
the general public as a principal or agent, or on consignment, or who holds himself or
herself out to be so engaged.
ii. Police dog : any dog that is officially used by a peace officer in the course of law
enforcement duties.
jj. Potentially dangerous dog: Any dog, except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in
law enforcement duties, that:
1) Without provocation, on two separate occasions within the prior 36 -month
period, threatens the safety of persons while the person s are off the property of
the owner or keeper of the dog;
2) Without provocation, on two separate occasions within the prior 36 -month
period, while off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog, chases or
approaches humans or domesti c an imals or livestock in a threatening manner or
apparent attitude of attack or manner which require the persons to take
defensive action ;
3) Injures a domestic animal to an extent that is less than severe but which requires
veterinary care.
jj.kk. Premises : any lot or parcel of land owned, leased or rented by a person.
kk.ll. Private kennel: A person who maintains within or adjoining his or her private
residence three (3) or more dogs over four (4) months of age, or three (3) or more cats
over four (4) months of age, but no more than a combined total of five (5) dogs and cats;
such animals to be for that person's recreational use or for exhibition in conformation
shows, field or obedience trials and where the sale of offspring is not the primary
function of the kennel. The maintenance of more than two (2) male dogs or cats used for
breeding pu rposes for which compensation is received, or the parturition and rearing of
more than two (2) litters of dogs or cats in any one (1) calendar year from the total
number of females owned or maintained by that person on the premises, shall be a
rebuttable p resumption that such animals are owned or maintained for the purposes of
commercial breeding; and the owner of the premises shall be subject to the permit
requirements of a commercial kennel.
mm. Provocation:
1) A ny deliberate act by a person towards a dog or any other animal done with the
intent to tease, torment, abuse, assault, or otherwise cause a reaction by the
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dog or other animal; provided, however, that any act by a person done with the
intent to discourage or prevent a dog or other animal from attacking shall not be
considered to be a provocation.
2) An act intended, or which would be reasonably understood to cause bodily injury
to the dog's owner, owner's family, owner's property or domestic animals, in the
p resence of the dog; or
3) The entry into a private, fully enclosed area of the owner's real property with the
intent of committing a crime or injuring a person.
nn. Public place includes but is no t limited to, streets, highways, sidewalks, carnivals,
shopping ma lls, flea markets and areas in front of commercial establishments, or any
other area that is customarily open to the general public.
oo. Quarantine: Isolati o n of an animal in a place and manner approved by the health office
or animal control officer .
Potentially dangerous dog: Any dog, except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in
law enforcement duties, that:
a. Without provocation, inflicts bites on a human, or a domestic animal while on public or
private property ;
b. Without provocation, chases or approaches humans or domestic animals or livestock on
the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds in a threatening manner or apparent
attitude of attack;
c. Has a known propensity, tendency or disposition for unprovoked att ack, causing injury
and threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals; or
d. Has been specifically trained to guard persons and/or property.
(2) Dangerous dog: Any dog, except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law
enforcement duties, that:
a. Has inflicted severe injury on a human or domestic animal on public or private property;
or
b. Has, after having been designated potentially dangerous, engaged i n the same
behavior that resulted in that designation.
pp. Service animal: An animal that is individually trained to do the work or perform tasks for
people with disabilities . Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are
blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a
person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness or limitations to
take prescribed me dications, claiming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are
working animals, not pets , which are kept more for pleasure than utility. The work or
task an animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s
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disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do
not qualify as service animals.
(qq) Miniature Horses that have been individually trained to do work or perform
tasks for people with disabilities may also qualify as service animals provided A. They are
house broken, B. They are under the owner’s control; C. City facilities can accommodate
the miniature horse’s type, size and weight, and D. That the miniature horse’s presence
will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operations of the
facility.
(rr) Severe injury: “Severe injury” means any physical injury to a human being or animal that
results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations, or requires multiple sutures or
corrective or cosmetic surgery.
(ss) Trespass: The entry into a private, fully enclosed area of the ow ner's real property with
the intent of committing a crime or injuring a person.
(tt) Vaccination means a protective inoculation against rabies with an anti -rabies vaccine
recognized and approved by the Santa Clara County Health Department
(uu) Veterinary hospital means any establishment maintained and operated by a
licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of
animals.
(vv) Vicious dog: Any dog, except a dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law
enforcement duties that has committed or meets any one of the following:
1) Been seized under Penal Code Section 599a, as may be amended, where either
the dog owner/guardian or person with a right to control the dog has been
convicted under Penal Code Section 597.5(a), as may b e amended;
2) Caused a severe injury to or killed a human being on public or private property;
3) K illed a domestic animal on public or private property;
4) Has, after having been designated dangerous, engaged in the same behavior that
resulted in that designation.
Sec. 4.10.015. - Chapter not to regulate use of land.
This chapter is not intended to regulate the use of land. Other provisions of the Town Code
regulate the number and types of animals and animal establishments that may be maintained
in specific zonin g districts. Nothing in this chapter is intended to supersede any provision of the
Town of Los Gatos Zoning Regulations.
Sec. 4.10.020. - Animals running at large.
No person owning or having control of any animal shall permit such animal to stray or run
at large upon any public street or other public place, or upon any private place or property or
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common area of any planned development, cluster, townhouse or condominium project,
without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof.
Sec. 4.10.02 5. - Conditions related only to seizures of dogs running at large.
(a) An animal control officer shall not seize or impound a dog for running at large in violation
of section 4.10.020 when the dog has not strayed from and is upon private property owned
by the dog owner or the person who has a right to control the dog, or upon private
property to which the dog owner or person who has a right to control the dog has a right of
possession.
(b) A dog that has strayed from but then returned to the private prope rty of its owner or the
person who has a right to control the dog shall not be seized or impounded merely for
violation of section 4.10.020, but in such a case a citation for such violation may be issued;
provided, however, that if in such a situation, the owner or the person who has a right to
control the dog is not at home, or the premises are not secure such as to prevent the dog
from straying from the private property owned by the dog owner again, the dog may be
impounded, but the officer shall post a notice of such impoundment on the front door of
the living unit of the owner or person who has a right to control the dog. This notice shall
state the following: that the dog has been impounded, where the dog is being held, the
name, address and telephone number of the agency or person to be contacted regarding
release of the dog, and an indication of the ultimate disposition of the dog if no action to
regain it is taken within a specified period of tim e by its owner or by the person who has a
right to control the dog.
(c) This section shall not otherwise affect the authority of an animal control officer to seize or
impound a dog or issue citations as a result of the violation of any sections of this
di vision Chapter 4 other than section 4.10.02 0 5 (a .).
Sec. 4.10.030. - Animal bites, quarantine, violation and examinations.
(a) Any person having knowledge that any animal is known to have or is suspected of having
bitten any person shall immediately report that fact to the animal control division or health
officer with full information with regard to the incident.
(b) Upon receip t of such a report, an animal control officer will seize and quarantine such
animal for a period of ten (10) days or such other period as may be prescribed by the state
department of health or determined to be in the best interest of public safety by the
a nimal control officer . The health officer may order the owner to quarantine the animal on
the owner's premises.
(c) Any person who fails, refuses or neglects to quarantine any animal as ordered by the
health officer, or who refuses to allow the health officer to inspect any private premises
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where the animal is kept, is guilty of a misdemeanor. No animal shall be removed or
released during the quarantine period without written permission of the health officer.
(d) The Town Manager may charge a fee, as set forth in a resolution of the Town Council or
Board of Supervisors, for the Town's and County's costs of quarantining dogs and
inspections for quarantine of animals. Any fee charged shall be paid by the owner or
person who has legal custody of the animal. Such a fee shall be in addition to the actual
costs of the health officer in housing, feeding and otherwise caring for a quarantined
animal.
(e) The head specimens of any animal that dies or is destroyed while under quarantine shall be
submitted to the laboratory of the County health department for rabies examination.
Sec. 4.10.035. - Diseased animals.
(a) The owner o r person with the right to control any animal that the person knows to be
infected with any disease transmittable to humans shall not permit that animal to remain
within the County other than at a veterinary hospital approved by the health officer, unless
the health officer expressly approves an alternate means of confinement.
(b) The animal control officer will seize any animal to be infected with any disease
transmittable to humans. The animal control officer will keep such animal in a safe place
for a p eriod sufficient to observe examination and determined whether such animal is
diseased.
(c) Diseased or vicious animals which are a danger to public health or safety shall be
impounded and may be destroyed. Animals found to be diseased may be destroyed.
Sec. 4.10.040. - Dead animals.
(a) Upon the death of any animal, the owner or person in charge thereof shall provide for the
burial, incineration, or other disposition of the body of such animal. If the owner or person
in charge of any dead animal is un able to provide for burial or other disposition, he or she
may request the animal control officer to dispose of the body of such animal.
(b) Upon learning that the body of a dead animal has not been disposed of in a safe and
sanitary manner, the animal co ntrol officer will remove the animal's body immediately;
provided, however, that the animal control officer shall not be required to remove and
dispose of bodies of dead animals on state highways or on state property. Before disposing
of the body of a dead animal, the animal control officer will give notice to the owner of the
animal, if known, within seventy -two (72) hours of the time that the dead animal is
removed.
(c) The Town Manager will collect a fee sufficient to defray the costs incident to remova l and
disposal of dead animals which shall be paid by the owner or person in charge thereof, if
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known; but no fee shall be charged to the owner or person in charge of a dead dog or cat if
that person has attained the age of sixty -five (65) years.
Sec. 4 .10.045. - Abandoned animals.
It is unlawful to abandon any animal in the Town.
Sec. 4.10.050. - Animals in Town buildings.
No person having the control or care of any animal or animals shall suffer or permit any
such animal to enter or remain in Town -owned or managed buildings other than a building
used for the purpose of care, detention, space control or treatment of animals, or a building
used for training classes, shows or exhibitions, except persons who are blind or deaf and who
use dogs for guidance with the exception of service animals, as defined by state law,, or dogs
used in law enforcement by a governmental agency, or persons expressly authorized by the
Town Manager upon finding that the animal will not be disruptive to the ope r ations of the
Town, or a hazard to person or property. .
Sec. 4.10.055. - Authority of Town Manager and animal control officer.
The Town Manager and animal control officer shall have the following power and
authority:
(a) To enforce the provisions of this chapter and state laws relating to the care, treatment,
impounding and destruction of animals.
(b) To arrest any person who violates any provision of this chapter in the manner provided
by section 836.5 of the Penal C ode.
(c) Animal control officer to issue citation pursuant to section 607g of the Civil Code.
(d) To act as a public officer pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code section 7.
(e) The Town Manager may formulate rules and regulations in conformity with and for the
purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall have
the same force and effect as this ordinance when adopted by the Town Council and
a ny violation shall be deemed a violation of the Town Code.
(f) Pursuant to Civil Code section 607g, the Town Manager may deputize as an animal
control officer any humane officer of the any animal control organization including but
not limited to the Human e Society of Santa Clara Valley , or the San Jose Animal Care
&and Services , or other aut horized service provider .
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(g) The Animal Control officer and Town Manager, relying on the expertise of the Animal
Control Officer, may make the determination whether an animal poses a threat to the
public health and safety. If it is determined that the animal poses such a threat , t he
Town Manager and Animal Control officer may take no further action against the
animal, may order cond itions regarding care and keeping of the animal , may require
that the animal owner secure a permit to keep such animal, may require that the
animal be permanently removed from the Town , may designate the animal Potentially
Dangerous, Dangerous, or Vicious, may decide that the owner will lose all rights of
ownership and control of the animal, may order the animal dest r oyed. Any owner of
an animal who is dissatisfied with the determinati on made by the Animal Control
Officer and/or Town Manager may follow the procedures in Section 4.30.030 –
4.40.045.
Sec. 4.10.060. - Inspection by animal control officer.
(a) The Town Manager and/or an animal control officer shall have the power to ent er upon
and inspect any premises where any animal is kept or harbored when such entry is
necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter. An inspection or search warrant will be
obtained whenever required by law unless waived by the occupant of the pre mises .
(b) This entry and inspection will be made only after the occupant of the premises, if any, has
been given written or oral notice of the inspection by the Town Manager and/or an animal
control officer. If the land is unoccupied, the Town Manager and/or animal control officer
will make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having control of the
property before making entry.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Town Manager and/or an animal control officer has
reasonable cause to believe t he keeping or maintaining of any animal is so hazardous as to
require an immediate inspection to save the animal or protect public health or safety, the
Town Manager and/or animal control officer shall have the power to immediately enter
and inspect the pr operty with the use of reasonable force. If the property is occupied in
such a circumstance, the Town Manager and/or an animal control officer will first attempt
to notify the occupant and demand entry. Failure or refusal to permit such an inspection
const itutes a misdemeanor.
(d) Each animal control officer shall have and is hereby vested with the authority of a peace
officer according to law . Each animal control officer may, in the performance of his/her
duties, enter upon any property to ascertain if an y of the provisions of the chapter or any
State laws relating to disease, care, treatment, impounding, or cruelty to animals are being
violated. Each animal control officer may serve warrants and make citations or arrests for
the violation of the provision s of this chapter or any State laws in the manner provided by
law.
Sec. 4.10.065. - Poisoning and abusing dogs, cats or other domestic animals.
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In addition to Penal Code section 596, it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully
administer poison to any dog, cat, or other domestic animal or to willfully place, expose or
leave poisonous or harmful substances of any kind in any place with intent to injure or kill any
dog, cat, or other domestic animal. Further, it shall be unlawful for any person to maliciously
kill, maim, wound, mutilate, torment, torture, or physically abuse any animal.
Sec. 4.10.070. - Public nuisance.
(a) No person owning o r having control of any animal shall permit the animal to do any of the
following:
(1) Defecate or urinate on private property (other than that of the owner or the person
having control of the animal);
(2) Defecate on public property without immediately removing the excrement to a proper
receptacle;
(3) Permit an animal to obstruct or interfere with the reasonable and comfortable use of
property by chasing vehicles, molesting passersby, barking, howling, baying, or making
any other noise;
(4) Permit uns anitary conditions to exist on the premises where that animal is kept that
would cause odors, attract flies or vermin, or otherwise be injurious to public health
and safety, or be indecent, or offensive to the senses, or be such an obstruction to the
free use of property so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or
property by other persons .;
(5) Trespass on school grounds ;
(6) Attack or bite other humans or animals ;
(7) Damage private or public property ;
(8) Repeatedly run at large ;
(9) Run at large while in the stage of heat ;
(10) Howl, bark, meow, squawk, or make other noises continuously and/or incessantly for a
period of ten (10) minutes or intermittently for one -half (½) hour or more which
creates a noise disturbance across a residen tial or commercial property plane or within
a noise sensitive zone shall be prohibited. For the purpose of this chapter, the animal
or bird noise shall not be deemed a disturbance if a person is trespassing or
threatening to trespass upon private property in or upon which the animal or bird is
situated or for any other legitimate cause which teased or provoked the animal or bird.
(b) The animal control officer may seize and impound any animal causing or creating a public
nuisance.
(c) A violation of this section , or any section in this chapter which designates nuisance
conduct, is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Violations of this section can be
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charged as an infraction or a misdemeanor and prosecuted criminally, civilly, or
administratively. The remedies provided in this section are not exclusive and not h ing in
this section shall pr eclude the use or application of any other remedies, penalties or
procedures established by law.
(d) Any private person may maintain an action under Civil Code section 3493 for enforcement
of this section declaring certain acts a public nuisance, if such acts are specifically injurious
to that person.
Sec. 4.10.075. - Animals and vehicles.
(a) Other than an individual then actually in the process of working a dog or other animal for
ranching purposes, no person shall transport or carry an animal in a motor vehicle, unless
the animal is safely enclosed within the vehicle by means of a container, cage, or other
device that will prevent the animal from falling from, jumping from, or being thrown from
the motor vehicle.
(b) No person shall leave any dog or other animal in an unattended motor vehicle without
adequate ventilation or in such a manner a s to subject the animal to extreme temperatures
that may adversely affect the health or well -being of the animal.
(c) An animal control officer, police officer or safety officer is authorized to use reasonable
force to remove an animal from a vehicle when it appears that the animal ’s health, safety
or welfare is or will be endangered.
Sec. 4.10.080. - Reserved. Interference with police dogs or horses .
No person shall injure, torture, tease, kick, strike, mutilate, disable, kill or otherwise interfere
with any police dog or horse within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City while the police
dog(s)or horse is in the custody of a police officer and/or is being used in the performance of
official duties.
Sec. 4.10.085. - Reserved. Feeding of animals on public and private property
(a) It is unlawful for any person to feed, cause to be fed, offer food to any animal, or to
scatter food, seed or other forms of matter edible to animals (collectively referred to as
"feed" or "feeding") on any public property (which includes, but is not limit ed to, public
buildings, streets, street rights -of -way, sidewalks, driveways, parks, school grounds,
public facilities or any other public property), or portion thereof, in the Town .
(b) If warning sign(s) are posted on public property prohibiting the feedin g of animals on
the public property (or portion thereof), the warning sign(s) are to read substantially as
follows in letters that are at least one inch in height:
WARNING
Page 14
The feeding of animals [i.e. in the park, within fifty yards of the pond, on
these grounds, etc.] is prohibited pursuant to Los Gatos Municipal Code
§ 4.10.085 .
The warning sign(s) are to be situated in conspicuous locations on the
posted property (or portion thereof), taking into account the physical
configuration of the public propert y (or portion thereof).
(c) This section does not apply to Town or other public agency -authorized events or
programs.
(d) It is unlawful for any person to feed, cause to be fed, offer food to or scatter food, seed
or other forms of matter edible (collectively re ferred to as “feed” or “feeding”) to wild
or feral animals on any public or private property, including properties owned by the
feeder , or on any private property that is shared by multiple people, such as
condominiums, townhouses or apartment complexes.
(e) The prohibitions in subsections a, b, and d do not apply to:
1. Any person who is the legal owner/guardian of the wild animal and the wild animal
is kept under a valid license or permit issued by the State Department of Fish and
Game, and in compliance with all applicable laws.
2. Any person who feeds or provides an att ractant to a trapped, injured, or unweaned
wild animal between the time that the agency charged with animal control or its
designated agent is notified of the wild animal and the wild animal is picked up by
said agency.
3. A wildlife rehabilitator.
4. Any per son who is using an attractant to trap an animal in a legally authorized or
permitted manner.
5. Any person with a bird feeder provided the feeders are suspended on a cable or
other device to make them inaccessible to wild animals and the area below the
fee ders are kept free from the accumulation of seed debris.
ARTICLE II. - MISCELLANEOUS ANIMALS
Sec. 4.10.090 – Animal maintenance and duties of owners
(a) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other
regulations contain ed in this Code or in any other ordinance of the Town regarding the
keeping and maintenance of animals.
Page 15
(b) The owner of every animal shall have the duty to keep and maintain such animal in a
healthy and sanitary condition, and shall have the duty to supply such animal with clean
and appropriate food, water and suitable shelter. All animal enclosures and shelters
shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and free from all noxious odors or
substances . They shall be of suitable size and situated to prev ent exposing the animal to
unreasonably loud noise, or teasing, abuse or injury by an other animal or person.
(c) The keeping of any animal in such a manner as to create unhealthy or unsanitary
conditions is hereby prohibited and declared to be a public nuisanc e.
Sec. 4.20.095 - Care and keeping requirements – generally.
No animal shall be sheltered or confined or tethered or kept in a manner which subjects them
to unnecessary suffering or cruelty. Minimum space for animals in pens should be that which
appropriately fits the size of the animal. All animals sh all receive appropriate veter i na ry
treatment when such treatment is necessary to alleviate the animal ’s suffering or prevent the
transmission o f disease.
Sec. 4.20.005. - Restrictions on keeping of swine of certain animals and fowl - Generally .
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any bovine animal, any sheep, hog,
swine, goat, any live hare, rabbit, chicken, duck, turkey, goose, pigeon or other fowl except
as provided in this article and Chapter 29 of this Code.
(b) Any person maintaining an y such animal or fowl within the Town shall keep the premises
upon which such is kept fenced, or if such animal is staked, so as to keep the animal or fowl
from leaving the premises upon which such is kept, and shall not permit such animal or
fowl to run at large upon the street or upon the property of any other person.
(c ) No person shall keep more than two (2)2) swine or four (4) of any such animal, above,
livestock -swine bovine, sheep or goat, or fowl within the Town nor shall they be kept
within three hundred (300) feet of any dwelling in the Town.
(d) No rooster over four (4) months old shall be kept on any premises within the city, unless
the premises involved are operating on a commercial basis in conformance with existing
zoning regulations and state statutes governing their operations.
(e) No p erson shall keep any of the above types of animal within the ten -foot setb ack from
the property line of the owner of such animal or fow l , without a permit. This permit shall
be issued by the Town Manager or Planning Director only when he/she finds that each such
animal may be maintained at such location without injury to its health and the health and
safety of any person.
The Planning Director may require that applications for permits required by this Article
or Chapter 29 co ntain plot plans and elevations of any structures, proposed or existing, to the
extent reasonably necessary to show what conditions the animals will be subjected to, and
Page 16
what effects keeping them, and human activities associated with their keeping, will ha ve on the
community.
The requirements for the keeping of horses are listed in Article XII of this Chapter and
the provisions of Chapter 29.
Sec. 4.20.01 0 . - Same —Submission to and review by Health Officer.
The Planning Director shall promptly send a complete copy of any application for a
permit required by this division to the Health Officer for review and shall not issue a permit
until the Planning Director receives and considers the advice of the Health Of ficer.
Sec. 4.20.015 . - Same —Notification.
At least ten (10) days before granting any application for a permit required by this
division, the Planning Director shall give written notices describing the application. The notice
shall be posted in one (1) l ocation readily visible to the public on, or reasonably near to the
parcel of land where the animals are proposed to be kept, and mailed addressed to the owner
of each other parcel of land any part of which is within three hundred (300) feet of the parcel of
land where the animals are proposed to be kept. The mailed notices shall be addressed to the
owners of neighboring parcels as shown on the latest County equalized assessment roll.
ARTICLE III. - IMPOUNDMENT OF ANIMALS
Sec. 4.30.005. - Fees for impounding and keeping.
(a) An impoundment fee shall be charged to the owner of the animal impounded, in an
amount fixed by resolution of the Town Council.
(b) In addition, a fee for keeping an impounded animal shall be charged in an amount
sufficient to defray the costs of keeping the animal, as determined by the Town Manager.
Sec. 4.30.010. - Redemption of impounded animals.
The Town Manager or animal control officer may permit an owner or other person entitled
to custody of an impounded animal to redeem the animal. No animal may be redeemed
without payment of the fees for impounding and keeping the animal, and without compliance
with the licensing provision of this chapter. The Town Manager may waive the cost of
impoundment and boarding only for the first impoundment of the animal and if there is no
prior violation of any offense involving state, county or city animal control laws, in cases of
hardship, based on a proven inability to meet ongoing family expenses for the neces sities of
living including, but not limited to, food, clothing, and shelter.
Page 17
Sec. 4.30.015. - Notification of impoundment.
The animal control officer will give notice of impoundment to the owner of every animal
impounded, if he or she is known , by eith er posting a written notice of the impound in a
conspicuous place at the owner's residence, or personally delivering the notice to the owner on
the day of the impound. The notice shall advise the owner that the animal may be forfeited
unless the owner cont acts the Animal Control agency within six (6) business days. The notice
shall set forth a telephone number to contact the Animal Control agency .
Sec. 4.30.020. - Disposition of impounded animals.
(a) No animal may be disposed of until the state mandated holding period, under Food and
Agricultural Code Sections 31754, 31752 and 31108, as may be amended, of six (6 ) business
days, not including the day of impoundment, seventy -two (72) hours have elapsed from
the time of impoundment, exclusive of the day of impoundment and the days that the
impounding facility is closed to the public.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, an animal which has been determined by a
veterinarian licensed by the State of California or by other authorized personnel to be
diseased or injured to the extent that emergency veterinary care will not alleviate i ntense
suffering will be destroyed in accordance with all State and County humane laws as soon as
possible.
(c) Any unsterilized dog or cat impounded twice or more from the same owner within the
lifetime of the animal shall be sterilized at the owner ’s e xpense prior to redemption. At the
option of the owner, a private veterinarian may perform the required spaying or neutering.
The impounding agency may require that transportation to a private veterinarian be
performed by the impounding agency. The owne r may request a hearing within three (3)
days of the impoundment on the topic of sterilization, using the same procedure as set
forth in Sec. 4.30.030 (c) – (e).
Sec. 4.30.025. - Reserved.Duty to inquire.
The dog owner/guardian and person with a right to control the dog have a duty to inquire with
the administrator to learn if the dog has been impounded, whenever the dog is known to have
been missing from the property of the dog owner/guardian or person wit h a right to control the
dog for more than two (2) hours and neither the dog owner/guardian nor the person with a
right to control the dog has received a notice pursuant to Section 4.30.015
Sec. 4.30.030. - Summary seizure and post -seizure hearing.
(a) Except as provided in section 4.10.025, an animal control officer may seize and impound an
animal for violation of any provision of this Chapter or State law prior to a hearing in any of
Page 18
the following situations where the owner is not present and where the officer reasonably
believes it is necessary:
(1) To protect health, safety and property; or
(2) To protect an animal that is injured, sick, or starving and should be cared for.
(b) Even when the person owning or having the right to control any animal is present, an
animal control officer may seize or impound any animal that the officer reasonably believes
to be infected with disease transmittable to humans or to be potentially dangerous or
dangerous or vicious so as to be a threat to public health, safety or property. Such seizure
or impoundment may be made even though the animal is confined at the time of the
seizure or impoundment.
(c) If the owner or person with the right to control the animal wishes to challenge the seizure
or impoundment, he or she s hall so advise the Town Manager, in writing, within seventy -
two (72) hours after the seizure or impoundment.
(d) The Town Manager will promptly set the time and place for the hearing and will cause
notice of such hearing to be mailed to the requesting par ty no later than five (5) days
before the hearing.
(e) The hearing will be conducted as set forth in section 4.30.040.
(f) Potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious dog designations are subject t o the hearing
procedure of __4.30.035 – 4.30.045 _
Sec. 4.30.035. - Hearing prior to animal deprivation regarding deprivation, impoundment, or
after determination of conditions for keeping and/or designation of the animal as potentially
dangerous, dangerous or vicious .
(a) A ny owner of an animal who objec ts to the seizure or impound of the animal may
challenge the seizure or impound by advising the Town Manager in writing, within seventy -
two (72) hours after t he seizure o r impoundment and request an appeal hearing. Except as
provided in sections 4.10.025 and 4.30.030, the Town Manager or animal control officer
may not seize or impound any animal, without the consent of the owner or person entitled
to custody of the animal, unless a post -seizure appeal hearing is scheduled and held as set
forth in section 4 .30.040. Notice must be made to the Town Manager, not to the Animal
Control Officer.
(b)(b) Any owner of an animal who is dissatisfied with the determination by the Town Manager
or Animal Control of whether the animal poses a threat to health and safety, or who
objects to the conditions of care and ke eping or designation of the anim al imposed by the
Town Manager or Animal Control Officer, may appeal such determination in writing, within
seventy -two h ours of the seizure or imposing of conditions or designation , to the Town
Manager.
Page 19
(c) The Town Manager shall set a time and place for the hearing and shall cause notice of the
hearing to be given to the owner at least five days before the date of the he aring. If that
notice is given by mail, five days will be added to the notice period. If the animal is
impounded, the hearing before the Town Manager or designee will be set no more than
fifteen (1) calendar days from the date the request for a hearing is received by the Town . If
the animal is not impounded, the hearing before the Town Manager or Hearing Officer
design ee will be set no later than 6 0 days from the date the req uest for a hearing is
received by the Town. Hearing dates can be continued for good cause. Costs of impound, if
any, will continue to accrue. Hearings will be conducted in conformance with Sections
4.30.040 -4.30.045. If the owner or person who has a right to control an animal
refuses to consent to an impoundment of his or her animal, the animal control officer may
issue a notice commanding the person to appear before the Town Manager at a set time.
Sec. 4.30.040. - Appeal hearing.
(a) At the appeal hearing, the petitioner and the Town may be represented by counsel, may
present oral and written evidence, and may cross -examine witnesses. Technical Strict rules
of evidence shall not apply. Any relevant evidence may be admitted as determined by the
heari ng officer , if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to
rely in the conduct of serious .affairs.
(b) After submission of all the evidence, and not more than fifteen (15) days after the hearing,
the Town Manager or Hearing Officer designee may order the animal released without
conditions, may designate the animal potentially dangerous or dangerous or vicious, may
and order release with conditions, may order the animal destroyed if the animal has bitten
or injured a person on one (1) or more occasions , or may make other orders as the Town
Manager determines appropriately fulfills the needs of the animal and the health and
safety of the public based on the weight of the evidence. The decision of the Town
Manager shal l be final. Any release conditions imposed by the Town Manager, which may
include but shall not be limited to spaying and neutering, shall be solely in the interest of
protecting public health, safety, and property. The owner or keeper of the dog shall be
notified in writing of the determination and orders issued, either personally or by first -class
mail.
(c) The Town Manager or Hearing Officer designee may assess administrative costs incurred by
the Town in connection with the appeal against the animal owner in his/her discretion.
(d) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Town Manager or the Hearing Officer designee
may obtain review of the administrative decision by filing a petition for review with the
Superior Court in Santa Clara County in a ccordance with the time lines and provisions set
forth in California Government Code section 53069.4.
Sec. 4.30.045. - Failure to appeal impoundment.
Page 20
Any person who falls to appeal any seizure or impoundment by the Town Manager or
animal control officer under this Chapter within seventy -two (72) hours from impoundment as
specified in section 4.30.030 shall forfeit all rights of ownership and control of the animal. All
rights of ownership and control shall be transferred to the Town . Final disposition of the animal
shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and state law. Failure to
appeal any determination of conditions of keeping or designation by the Town Manager or
animal control officer under this Chap ter within seventy -two (72) hours of notice of those
determinations or designations being served shall result in those determinations or
designations being final as a failure to exhaust administrative remedies.
Sec. 4.30.050. - Adoption of animals.
(a) Any person adopting an unspayed or unneutered dog or cat from any humane society
animal shelter, public pound or society Society for the prevention Prevention of cruelty
Cruelty to animals Animals shelter or its like in the County of Santa Clara shall have said
animal spayed or neutered on or before a date specified in the adoption agreement unless
a licensed veterinarian states in writing that the date specified in the adoption agreement
is inappropriate for the anima l in question. On submission of such written statement to the
person at such shelter or pound responsible for ensuring compliance with this section, the
adoption agreement will be modified accordingly.
(b) As a condition for adoption, the person adopting an animal may be required to deposit
with the pound or shelter an amount sufficient to cover the cost of spaying or neutering
such animal by a veterinarian or spaying or altering clinic designated by the person
adopting the animal. The deposit shall be for warded to the veterinarian or clinic upon
receipt by the pound or shelter of a notice from the veterinarian or clinic that the cat or
dog has been spayed or neutered.
ARTICLE IV. - DOGS AND CATS
Sec. 4.40.005. - Restraint of dogs.
(a) The owner or person with the right to control any dog shall keep such dog under his or her
own physical restraint by means of a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length, or shall keep such
dog confined behind a fence not less than six (6) feet high. This section shall not apply to the
following:
(1) Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties;
(2) Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;
(3) Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in l aw enforcement
activities;
(4) Do gs assisting their owner/handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;
Page 21
(5 ) Dogs within an off -leash area designated by the Town ;
(6 ) Dogs being trained for any of the above purposes on private land with permission of the
landowner, so long as such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to assure
that they do not violate any other provision of law.
(b) Potentially D angerous dog maintenance requirement: In ad dition to subsection (a) above,
the following requirements for the maintenance of a Potentially Dangerous Dog are as follows:
(1) a sign advising of the presence of a potentially dangerous dog shall be posted at
the e ntrance to every place wherein any such dog is confined. The sign shall be
capable of being understood by a child with normal reading skills of a second
grader. A potentially dangerous dog must be restrained by a person with the
physical capability to cont rol the dog .
(2) A potentially dangerous dog must wear a head collar or head halter type device
and be on a sturdy, non -retractable leash of no more than six (6) feet in length
when it is on any public street or in any other public place or upon any private
place or property or common area of any planned development, cluster,
townhouse, or condominium project unless the dog owner/guardian or person
with a right to control the dog has obtained the consent of the owner/guardian
or person in control of the private place or property or common area of the
planned development, cluster, townhouse, or condominium project.
(3) A potentially dangerous dog must be spayed or neutered.
(4) A potentially dangerous dog must have a microchip implant for identification
purposes.
(c) Notwithstanding In addition to subsections (a) and (b) above, the owner or person with the
right to control a dangerous Dangerous dog shall:
(1) Keep the dog under his or her own physical restraint by means of both a sturdy, non -
retractable leash not to exceed six three (6 3 ) feet in length and capable of restraining
four (4) times the weight of the dog; and be attached to an escape -proof commercial
quality walk ing harness that fastens securely across the shoulders and mid -chest
encompassing the rib area and upper abdomen of the dog. No neck collar of any type
or material will be sufficient. The dog must be securely muzzled with a device
constructed to allow normal respiration but impossible for the dog to remove without
human assistance. The dog must and a muzzling device be under the direct physical
control of a person eighteen (18) years old or older who is physically capable of
restraining the animal when the animal is off the property of the owner/guardian with
the right to control the ;animal;
(2) Maintain for the dog an enclosed and locked pen or kennel having secured sides and a
secured top attached to the sides, and having a secure bottom or floor attached to the
Page 22
sides, or with sides embedded not less than two (2) feet into the ground, behind a
f ence not less than six (6) feet high;
(2) Ensure that when the dog is in a house, apartment, building or similar structure, that
the windows and doors of same are secured to prevent the dog from exiting without
the assistance of the owner or person with t he right to control such do ,g ; and that,
when inside, the dog does not pose a threat to other occupants of the premises; and
(4 3 ) Post a sign advising of the presence of a dangerous Dangerous dog at the entrance to
every place wherein any such dog is confined. The sign shall be capable of being
understood by a child with normal reading skills of a second grader.
(4) The Town Manager or designee may, in his or her discretion, require that a dan gerous
dog be maintained in an enclosed and locked pen or kennel having secured sides and a
secured top attached to the sides, and having a secure bottom or floor attached to the
sides, or with sides embedded not less than two (2) feet into the ground, beh ind a
fence not less than six (6) feet high;
(5) It is understood that the provision of subsection (c )() (4 2 ), above, shall not apply to the
owner or person with the right to control a dangerous dog living in an apartment or
condominium.
(6) A dangerous dog is subject to special dog permit tag requirements under Section
4.40.020 .
(7 ) The dog owner/guardian or person with a right to control the dog must seek pre -
approval from the administrator for a dog obedience class and attend the dog
obedience class with the dog that exhibited the behavior leading to its designation of
dangerous .
(d ) In addition to s S ubsections (a), (b) and (c) above , shall not apply to the following the owner
or person with the right to control a V icious dog shall maintain the dog as follows :
A. Outdoors:
1. The dog must be confined by means of a securely enclosed escape -proof, locked kennel,
or pen. Such kennel, pen or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached
thereto. The kennel or pen must be constructed in a manner and of such material so that it
cannot be broken down by any action of the confined dog. All structures used for
confinement of dangerous or vicious dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock of
sufficient strength to ensure confinement of the dog. Such structures must be erected
upon a secure bottom or floor constructed of concrete or other material of sufficient depth
to prevent the dog from digging free.
2. The supporting posts of the structure must be set in concrete or other material not less
than two (2) feet int o the ground and no further than six (6) feet apart. The sides and ends
of the structure must be constructed of solid boards or chain -link material not less than six
(6) feet in height and securely fastened to the top and bottom of the structure. The
struc ture may not be constructed or maintained in any front or required side yard and
Page 23
must be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times. The dog(s) confined therein must
be afforded adequate protection from the elements and kept in a humane manner.
3. T he escape -proof, locked kennel or pen may not be enclosed by a fence of less than six
(6) feet high.
B. Indoors: The dog must be confined by means of a house, apartment, building, or similar
structure wherein the windows and doors are secured to prevent t he dog from exiting
without the assistance of either the owner/guardian or person with a right to control the
dog, and the owner must ensure that the dog is not a threat to other occupants of the
premises :
C. The Town Manager or hearing officer may impose additional conditions upon the
ownership/guardianship and control of a vicious dog if the hearing officer determines that
under these additional conditions the dog would not present a significant threat to the
public health, safe ty, and welfare.
D. If the Town Manager or hearing officer determines that a dog is vicious but additional
conditions upon the ownership/guardianship and control of the dog will not sufficiently
mitigate a significant threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, the hearing officer
may order the dog be destroyed by the Town in accordance with the law.
(1) Guide dogs for the blind or deaf while performing their duties;
(2) Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or conformation exhibitions;
(3) Dogs assisting their owner/handler in legal hunting activities or in the herding of
livestock;
(4) Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement
activities; and
(5) Dogs being trained for any of the above -descri bed purposes on private property with
the permission of the landowner, so long as these dogs are under the direct control of
individuals who assure that they do not violate any other provision of law.
Violation of this section shall be punishable as a mis demeanor.
Sec. 4.40.010. - Maximum number of dogs, cats or litters.
(a) No person shall keep or maintain There shall be no more than three two (2 3 ) dogs over four
(4) months of age , or . No person shall keep or maintain more than three (four (3 4 ) cats
over four (4) months of age at any premise or street address . In no event shall there be
more than one unspayed cat over four (4) months old and one unspayed dog over four (4)
months of age on any premise or street address s . This restriction shall not appl y to
premises maintained by a veterinarian licensed by the State of California for the practice of
veterinary medicine or premises with a valid permit from the Town Manager for a private
Page 24
kennel, commercial kennel, pet shop, animal menagerie, or animal shel ter. A female dog or
cat shall be rebuttably presumed to be unspayed unless the owner provides evidence of
spaying. Written certification from a licensed veterinarian that an animal cannot be spayed
for health reasons or is incapable of breeding shall be d eemed a satisfactory substitution
for a certificate showing an animal is spayed.
(b) No person shall allow the parturition and rearing of more than one (1) litter of dogs or cats
in any one (1) calendar year from females owned by him or her or maintained on his or her
premises without a valid permit from the Town Manager for a private kennel, commercial
kennel, or animal shelter.
Sec. 4.40.015. - Vaccination of dogs and cats.
Every owner of a dog or a cat over four (4) months of age shall cause such dog or cat to be
vaccinated with an anti -rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Public Health.
Revaccination shall be made at such intervals of time as may be prescribed by the State
department of public health. Compliance with the provision of this section shall be a condition
to the issuance or renewal of dog and cat licenses. Violation of this section shall be punishable
as a misdemeanor.
Sec. 4.40.020. - Registratio n of dangerous dogs.
(a) Every owner of a dangerous dog or vicious dog over four (4) months of age shall register
such dog with the Town Manager. Such registration shall be renewed on an annual basis. A
registration fee, and a fee to be charged for multip le inspections of required confinement
facilities for such dogs, shall be fixed by resolution of the Town Council.
(b) Every owner of a dangerous dog or vicious dog over four (4) months of age shall obtain a
public liability insurance policy from an insur er licensed to practice in the State of
California, a single -incident amount of not less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).
Such owner shall give written notice to the Town Manager of any cancellation or material
change in such policy at least thirt y (30) days prior to the date of such cancellation or
material change.
(c) The owner or keeper shall notify Town Manager or Animal Control within twenty -four
hours if a dangerous dog is on the loose, is unconfined, has attacked another animal or has
attac ked a human being, or has died.
(d) The owner or person having a right to control the dog may not move the place of residence
of the dog within the Town , sell, trade, give away or otherwise transfer ownership and/or
the right to control the dog to a person residing within the Town , unless the Town Manager
has approved the dangerous dog registration for the new location or approved the new
person assuming ownership and/or right to control the dog.
Page 25
(e) If the dog owner or person having a right to control the dog decides to sell, trade, give away
or otherwise transfer ownership and/or the right to control the dog to a location outside of
the Town and/or to a nother person residing outside the city, the person transferring
ownership or control shall: (1) Notify the Animal Control Agency at least five business days
prior to the physical transfer of the dog; and (2) Provide the Animal Control Agency with
the name , address and telephone number of the new owner or new person having a right
to control the dog.
(f) An animal control officer is hereby empowered to make whatever inquiry is deemed
necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and a ny such officer is
hereby empowered to seize and impound any dangerous dog whose owner fails to comply
with the provisions hereof.
(c g ) Owners of dangerous dogs unable to meet the requirements of subsection (a) or (b) above,
shall surrender the dogs to the Town Manager for humane destruction or other disposition,
by discretion of the Town Manager.
(d h ) Violation of this section shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
Sec. 4.40.025. - License required.
No person shall maintain or board any dog or cat four (4) months of age or older that has
not been licensed pursuant to the provisions of this Article, except:
(a) A license shall not be required for an animal owned or under the control of a
nonresident o f the Town, and that is to be kept in the Town for less than thirty (30)
days in any twelve (12) month period.
(b) A license shall not be required for dogs or cats temporarily brought into the Town for
entry into an event, show, or exhibition scheduled no t more than ten (10) days
thereafter.
Sec. 4.40.030. - License fees.
(a) License fees for each dog and cat within the Town, including reduced fees for spayed
females or neutered males, shall be fixed by resolution of the Town Council. Dog license
fees sh all not be refundable.
(b) The Town Manager may require the submission of a certificate of a licensed veterinarian
stating that a dog or cat has been spayed or neutered, or cannot be spayed or neutered for
health reasons and is incapable of breeding, or i s biologically incapable of breeding, prior to
issuance of a license of a lesser fee.
(c) The Town Council, by resolution, may fix an additional fee to be paid for a license
purchased more than sixty (60) days after expiration of a previously issued licen se, or more
than sixty (60) days after the deadline for purchase of a license as required under section
4.40.025 of this Code.
Page 26
(d) Licenses and tags for dogs used principally for the purpose of guiding persons who are
blind or deaf, and for dogs used in l aw enforcement by governmental agencies shall be
issued upon request without charge.
Sec. 4.40.035. - Issuance of license.
(a) Upon payment of the license fee, presentation of a valid certificate of vaccination by a duly
licensed doctor of veterinary medicine, and when required, presentation of a dangerous
dog registration and a valid certificate of public liability insurance from an insurer licensed
to practice in the State of California, the Town Manager will issue a license stating the
name and residence of the person to whom the license is issued, the amount paid, the date
of issuance thereof, the date of expiration of the vacc ination, the date of expiration of the
dangerous dog registration, the date of expiration of the public liability insurance, and a
description of the dog or cat for which the license is issued, together with the number of
the metallic tag accompanying the same.
(b) Owners of dangerous or vicious dogs shall notify the Town Manager, in writing, of any
changes of address within fourteen (14) days of the date of such change.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, the Manager, in the Manager's discretion, may
refuse to issue or renew a license for a period of not more than two (2) years when such
refusal is deemed reasonably necessary to protect public health, safety and propert y.
Sec. 4.40.040. - Metal tags.
(a) With each dog or cat license, the Town Manager or designee will issue a metal tag bearing
an identifying number and the words and letters "Los Gatos Dog Lic." or "Los Gatos Cat
Lic.," as applicable. Each dog or cat sh all wear the metal tag issued for it at all times except
when being shown at a dog or cat show, exhibition or event or when it is in a fully enclosed
structure in the owner's premises. In the event it is necessary to issue a duplicate tag, a fee
set by the Town Council shall be charged to the owner.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to attach a metal tag issued pursuant to this section to
any dog or cat other than the dog or cat for which it is issued.
Sec. 4.40.045. - License period.
(a) The term of any dog or cat license issued hereunder shall commence on the date of the
issuance of the license and shall terminate either twelve (12) months from the date of
issue, or for dogs twelve (12) months or older and cats, or twenty -four (24) or thirty -six (36)
months from date of issue dependent on license fee and vaccination status tendered.
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(b) Dog and cat licenses shall be renewed upon expiration. When a license is renewed after the
expiration date, the new license period shall begin on the expiration d ate of the previous
period.
Sec. 4.40.050. - Record of licenses.
The Town Manager or designee will keep a record of all licenses issued by him or her,
together with a description of the dog or cat for which such license is issued.
Sec. 4.40.055. - Presentation of license on request.
Upon request of any authorized animal control employee or any peace officer, the owner
or person having control of a dog or cat shall present the dog's or cat's license to that person.
Sec. 4.40.060. - Veterinarian responsibilities.
(a) Every veterinarian who vaccinates or causes or directs to be vaccinated in the County any
dog or cat with anti -rabies vaccine shall use a form provided by the Town to certify that
such animal has been vaccinated.
(b) Every veterinarian shall provide to the animal owner a copy of the anti -rabies vaccination
form for use in obtaining a license for the animal.
(c) Every veterinarian operating a business within the Town of Los Gatos shall conspicuously
display a sign to n otify dog and cat owners that their animals must be licensed.
ARTICLE VI. - ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENTS .
Sec. 4.60.005. - Permit required.
No person shall conduct, operate or keep any pet shop, commercial kennel, private kennel,
pet grooming parlor, animal menagerie, animal shelter, or horse establishment without first
obtaining an appropriate permit from the Town Manager. The annual permit f ee for the above
animal facilities shall be fixed by resolution of the Town Council. Such establishments shall
conform to the California Health and Safety Code Part 6, Chapters 1 -11.
Sec. 4.60.010. - Application for permit.
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(a) An application for a permi t to operate and keep a pet shop, commercial kennel, private
kennel, pet grooming parlor, animal menagerie, animal shelter, horse establishment, or
dangerous animal shall be in writing on a form approved by the Town Manager. The
applicant shall furnish a l ist of the types of animals to be maintained or used for any
purpose, together with the approximate number of animals of each type.
(b) The Town Manager may establish regulations and standards relating to:
(1) The maximum number and species of animals to be kept or maintained on the
premises;
(2) The construction, sanitation and maintenance of facilities; and
(3) Any other regulations and standards in conformity with and for the purpose of carrying
out the intent of this article.
Compliance with such rules and regulations shall be prerequisite to the issuance and continued
validity of any permit provided pursuant to this chapter when approved by the Town Council.
(c) Permittee shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of persons from whom
animals are received and to whom the animals are sold, traded or given. This shall be
available to the Town Manager upon request.
Sec. 4.60.015. - Conditions relating to animal facilities.
Every person who owns, conducts, manages or op erates any commercial kennel, private
kennel, pet shop, pet grooming parlor, animal menagerie, animal shelter, or house
establishment shall comply with each of the following conditions:
(a) Housing:
(1) Housing facilities for animals shall be structurall y sound and shall be maintained in
good repair to protect animals from injury and restrict entrance of other animals
or the escape of animals so contained therein.
(2) Every building or enclosure wherein animals are maintained shall be properly
ventilated to prevent drafts and to remove odors; heating and cooling shall be
provided as required, according to the physical need of the animals, with sufficient
light to allow observation of animals.
(3) All animal rooms, cages, kennels, runs, stalls and corrals shall be sufficient size to
provide adequate and proper accommodation and protection from the weather
for the animals kept therein.
(4) All animal facilities shall be constructed and operated in a manner that reasonably
protects public health and safety and safety of the animals.
(b) Sanitation:
Page 29
(1) All animal facilities shall be maintained and operated at all times in a clean and
sanitary condition, and in a manner that avoids causing odors or attraction of flies
and vermin, and excessive noise.
(c) C are of animals:
(1) All animals shall be supplied with a quantity of wholesome food suitable for the
species and age of the respective animals, as often as the feeding habits of such
animals require, sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition. All animals
shall have available to them sufficient portable water. Food and water shall be
served in separate, clean receptacles.
(2) No animal, except those animal(s) in a pasture provided with adequate feed and
water, shall be without attention for mo re than twenty -four (24) consecutive
hours. The name, address and telephone number of a person responsible for the
animal shall be posted in a conspicuous place, visible from outside the facility or at
the main gate of a pasture where animals are kept, unl ess the owner or attendant
of the animal(s) is immediately available on the premises.
(3) All sick, diseased or injured animals shall be isolated from healthy animals at all
times and shall be given proper medical treatment. The Town Manager may order
the operator of the facility to immediately seek licensed veterinarian treatment
for any animal.
(4) All animals shall be treated in a humane manner.
(d) Compliance:
(1) The Town Manager shall have the authority to enter the animal facility when he or
she has reason to believe that the provisions of the permit, this chapter or
applicable State law, are being violated. The failure of the operator to consent to
the entry sha ll be deemed just cause for the revocation of the permit.
(2) Failure of an applicant or a permit holder to comply with any of the provisions of
the permit, this chapter, or applicable State law, shall be deemed just cause for
the denial of any permit, ei ther original or renewal, or for revocation of a permit.
Sec. 4.60.020. - Expiration and removal of permit.
(a) Any permit issued under this Article shall expire twelve (12) months from the date of
issuance. The procedure for the renewal of a permit shall be the same as for an original
permit.
(b) Upon failure to make application for the renewal of a permit within thirty (30) days of the
expiration of a permit, or prior thereto, the applicant shall pay in addition to the permit fee
a ten dollar ($10.00)a penalty for late renewal as set by Town Council resolution .
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Sec. 4.60.025. - Inspection.
As a condition to the issuance or renewal of a permit under this article, the Town Manager
or authorized representative shall have the authority to inspect an animal facility subject to this
Article at any reasonable time.
Sec. 4.60.030. - Denial or revocation of permit.
The Town Manager may deny or revoke any permit issued pursuant to this Article in the
following situations:
(a) Whenever determined by inspection that any animal facility fails to meet any of the
conditions of the permit, this chapter, or applicable State law.
(b) Whenever there is reason to believe that the applicant or permit holder has willfully
withheld or falsified any information required for a permit.
(c) If the applicant or permit holder has been convicted by a court of law of more than
two (2) v iolations in a twelve -month period of this chapter, or state laws relating to
animals or public nuisance caused by animals, or has been convicted of cruelty to
animals in this or any other state within the previous five (5) years. For the purposes of
this section, a bail forfeiture shall be deemed to be a conviction of the offense
charged.
Sec. 4.60.035. - Appeal from denial or revocation of permit.
(a) Prior to denial or revocation of a permit, the Town Manager shall notify the applicant in
writing of t he intent to deny or revoke the permit, the reasons for such denial or
revocation, and that the applicant may make a written request for a hearing to the Town
Manager within five (5) days after receipt of such notice if the applicant wishes to
challenge th e denial or revocation.
(b) The Town Manager shall set the time and place for hearing and cause notice of such
hearing to be mailed to the person requesting such hearing at least five (5) days before the
date of the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted according to section 4.40.040.
Sec. 4.60.040. - No new permit after denial or revocation.
If a permit has been denied or revoked, the Town Manager will not accept a new permit
application from the same person for the same activity at the same location less than six (6)
months after such denial or revocation, unless the applicant shows, and the Town Manager
finds, by inspection and/or investigation, that the grounds upon which the first application was
denied or the permit revoked no longer exist.
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Sec. 4.60.045. - Permit not transferable.
Permits issued pursuant to the provisions of this article shall not be transferable.
Sec. 4.60.050. – Animal rescuer registration
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Title, any person or organization that maintains more
than the number of adult animals allow ed under this Chapter and Chapter 29 shall register with
Town Manager or designee Animal Control Organization as an animal rescuer. In order to
register as an animal rescuer, the applicant must provide the following information:
(1) Verifiable proof of membership in or status as a State of C alifornia not -for -profit
corporation that meets the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and is in
good standing with the State of California;
(2) Verifiable proof that animal adoption and placement of rescued animals with a new
and per manent owner in a new home is one of its primary organizational goals and proof of a
history of placement of animals with new and permanent owners in new homes;
(3) The location and contact information of the rescue work to be performed and the
identity o f the person(s) responsible for the care of the animals at that location;
(4) Payment of the registration fee in an amount established by resolution of the Town
Council;
(5) Agreement from the applicant to abide by the requirements set forth in this Chap ter
and
(6) Agreement from the applicant to any other conditions reasonably necessary for the
proper care and maintenance of the animals.
4.60.055 - Maintenance of animal rescuer registration.
(a) In order to maintain a valid animal rescuer registration, the animal rescuer shall comply with
each of the following requirements:
(1) Rescue work such as the temporary housing and care of domestic animals shall be
performed in conformity with all standards of animal care and housing set forth by state and
local law;
(2) Rescue work shall not create a public nuisance;
Page 32
(3) The anima l rescuer shall cooperate with the animal control organization during
investigations of complaints and inspections of animal areas; and
(4) The animal rescuer shall limit the number of animals maintained at the registered
location if the Animal Control Of ficer deems limitations are necessary because of space,
finance, effect on surrounding area, history or any other criteria relevant to the animal
rescuer's ability to maintain the animals.
(b) The Town Manager or Animal Control Organization may revoke the animal rescuer
registration if the holder of the registration fails at any time to satisfy one or more of the
requirements specified in subsection (a).
ARTICLE VII. - DANGEROUS AND EXOTIC ANIMALS
Sec. 4.70.005. - Permit for dangerous and/or exotic vicious animals.
(a) No person shall keep, have, maintain, sell, trade, or let for hire a dangerous and/or vicious
exotic animal without first obtaining a permit from the Town Manager. The application for
a permit, permit conditions, inspection, denial, r evocation, and appeal shall be the same as
set forth in sections 4.60.005, 4.60.015, and 4.60.025 through 4.60.045, inclusive, of this
chapter.
(b) No permit shall be required of any zoo, university, college, governmental research agency,
or other bona fi de scientific institution, as determined by the Town Manager, engaging in
scientific or public health research. For the purposes of this article, a zoo shall be
considered any organization that exhibits animals to the general public at regular specified
ho urs, equaling at least thirty (30) hours a week for thirty -six (36) weeks a year, and whose
animals, whether maintained for exhibit purposes or not, are not for sale to private
individuals.
(c) The owner of a vicious and/or dangerous and/or exotic animal shall post at the entrances
to the property where the animal is kept with a legible sign at least twelve (12) inches
square, warning persons of a vicious and/or d d angerous and/or exotic animal.
Sec. 4.70.010. - Permit denial.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Town Manager may deny or revoke a permit
to keep or maintain any dangerous animal when, in his or her opinion:
(1) Any such animal may not be kept or maintained without endangering the safety of any
person(s) or property; or
(2) The keeping of the animal would constitute a public nuisance; or
(3) The animal would be subject to suffering, neglect, cruelty or abuse.
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The Town Manager in his or her discretion may require any such animal to be properly caged,
tethe red, or restrained in zoo -type facilities that meet or are in addition to, or more restrictive
than, state guidelines issued under the provisions of section 671 of title 14 of the California
Code of Regulations and federal standards issued under chapter 1 of title 9 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. Nothing in this article shall be construed to permit the keeping of
dangerous animals where zoning provisions or state law would prohibit such keeping.
Sec. 4.70.015. - Permit period and fee.
The fee for a permit to keep or maintain one (1) dangerous animal shall be set by Town
Council Resolution. fifty dollars ($50.00) for a twelve -month term , and the fee for each
additional dangerous animal shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00 ). The permit s hall expire
and be renewable as set forth in section 4.40.045.
ARTICLE VIII. - BEEKEEPING
Sec. 4.80.005. - "Apiary" defined.
As used in this article, "apiary" means bees, hives and appliances wherever the same are
kept, located or found.
Sec. 4.80.010. - "Bees" defined.
As used in this article, "bees" means honey -producing insects of the species apis mellifica,
including the adults, eggs, larvae, pupae or other immature states thereof, together with such
materials as are deposited into hi ves by their adults, except honey and rendered beeswax.
Sec. 4.80.015. - "Hive" defined.
As used in this article, "hive" means any receptacle or container made or prepared for the
use of bees, or a box or similar container of which bees have taken posse ssion.
Sec. 4.80.020. - "Location" defined.
As used in this article, "location" means any premises upon which an apiary is located.
Sec. 4.80.025. - Notice required when moving apiaries.
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No apiary shall be moved into the Town or within the confines o f the Town without notice
in writing being given to the agricultural commissioner of the County within five (5) days from
the date movement is begun, stating:
(a) The number of colonies of bees to be moved into or within the Town.
(b) The location of the property in the Town to which bees are to be moved, and the name
and address of the owner of the property or person in possession thereof.
(c) The distance of the proposed location of the apiary from the nearest public road
intersection.
Sec. 4.80.030. - Location of apiary.
No apiary shall be located:
(a) At a distance less than one thousand (1,000) feet from the nearest residence, church,
school, public building, corral or water area in the corral unless the owner or persons
in possessi on thereof has given written permission to the location of said apiary at a
closer distance.
(b) On any lands without the written consent of the owner or person in possession
thereof.
(c) Closer than three hundred (300) feet from any public road.
(d) No hive may be kept within any required front or side setbacks.
(e) All hives must be oriented so that their entrances face a house or building on the
premises and must be surrounded by a solid fence not less than six (6) feet in height,
located no farther th an thirty (30) feet from such hives. Said fence may be open on
that side facing a house or building on the premises. This condition may be met by
locating such hives upon or affixed to a building or structure so that their entrances
are more than ten (10) feet from the ground and face a house or building on the
premises.
(f) No more than two (2) hives may be maintained on any lot or parcel.
(g) The owner’s name, address, and location of all such hives must be registered with the
Office of the Santa Clara County Agriculture Commission.
Sec. 4.80.035. - Water supply.
A water supply adequate in quantity for the apiary should be provided and maintained.
Sec. 4.80.036 – Nuisance
Maintenance of beehives within the Town not in compliance with these regulations constitute
a nuisance. These regulations are primarily adopted for the purpose of enhancing the welfare
Page 35
of residents of adjoining properties. Therefore, the requirements of the distance restriction
may be waived by written consent of the res idents of the adjoining properties and dwelling
units from which the distance limitations are to be measured. Such written consent must be
filed with the Town and may be revoked by the grantor or successor resident following at least
thirty (30) days writ ten notice to the person in control of such hive or hives and by filing a copy
thereof with the Town.
Sec. 4.80.040. - Identification of premises.
Every person maintaining any apiary on premises other than their own residence shall
identify the apiary b y affixing and maintaining signs thereto showing the name of owner or
person in possession of the apiary, the owner or person's address and telephone number, or a
statement that the owner or person has no phone. These signs shall be prominently placed and
maintained on each entrance side of the apiary and immediately adjoining the same and
lettered in black at least one (1) inch in height on a white or light background.
Sec. 4.80.045. - Notice, correction of violation.
Any person transporting or maintain ing an apiary who violates any of the provisions of this
article may be given verbal or written notice by the agricultural commissioner of the County or
any law enforcement officer. A written notice shall also be posted on the location for forty -
eight (48) hours, and it shall be unlawful for the owner or person in possession of said apiary to
fail to correct the violations within that period. The provisions of this article, however, shall not
authorize the keeping of bees in areas where they are not otherwi se allowed by law.
Sec. 4.80.050. - Penalty, abatement.
Every person violating any provision of this article who has been given notice thereof as
prescribed herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
ARTICLE X. - SALE OF ANIMALS
Sec. 4.100.005. - Sale of cats or dogs.
No person or establishment other than a licensed or county -operated animal shelter shall
sell, exchange or barter any cat or dog under eight (8) weeks of age. Proof of age of the dog or
cat may be required by the To wn Manager. Proof of age may include but not be limited to a
certification by a licensed veterinarian attesting to the animal's age. Sales of animals shall
conform to the California Health and Safety Code Part 6, Chapters 1 -11.
Sec. 4.100.010. - Immuniza tion.
Page 36
All cats or dogs over eight (8) weeks of age, before they are sold, shall be immunized
against common disease which include but may not be limited to : in the case of dogs against
distemper and parvovirus ; in the case of cats against panleukopenia pan leukopenia ,
rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and .chlamydia. The seller of a dog or cat shall provide to the buyer at
the time of sale a signed statement from the seller attesting to the date of vaccination and the
seller's knowledge of the animal's health. S uch statement shall also include the animal's
immunization history, and the record of any known disease, sickness or internal parasites that
the animal is afflicted with at the time of transfer of ownership, including treatment and
medication.
Sec. 4.100 .015. - Return of dog or cat.
(a) Any person purchasing a dog or cat from a person or establishment required to be licensed
or registered pursuant to this chapter may, within five (5) days of such purchase, cause
such animal to be examined by a veterinari an licensed by the State of California; and, if
such examination reveals clinical signs of a contagious or infectious disease or serious
congenital defects, not otherwise disclosed to the purchaser as required by section
4.100.010, the purchaser may, withi n one (1) day of the examination, return such animal to
the seller. When returned, such animal must be accompanied with a certificate signed by
the examining veterinarian stating examination findings. Upon return of such animal for
the reasons stated in th is section, the seller shall reimburse the purchaser for the cost of
the animal.
(b) If the seller refuses to reimburse the purchaser for the cost of the animal upon purchaser's
offer to return it, the purchaser may file a complaint with any judge of the municipal court
stating a cause of action for violation of this section.
ARTICLE XII. - HORSES
DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY
Sec. 4.120.005. - Keeping as pets.
Horses may be kept as pets in any zone in the Town, subject to the regulations of sections
4.120.020, 4.120.025, 4.120.030, 4.120.035, 4.120.105 and 4.120.125, and other applicable
provisions of the Town Code.
Sec. 4.120.015. - Holding amateur horse even ts.
Amateur horse events may be held in any zone in the Town, subject to the regulations in
sections 4.120.005, 4.120.035, 4.120.105 and 4.120.125, and other provisions of the Town
Code.
Page 37
Sec. 4.120.020. - Land area requirements.
On parcels of land havi ng an area of forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more, a horse
barn or shelter may be constructed pursuant to the requirements of this article and one (1) pet
horse may be kept for each twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of area, plus one (1) pet
hor se. The foal, under nine (9) months of age, of a mare lawfully kept on the premises is not
counted in determining the number of pet horses that may be kept.
Sec. 4.120.025. - Location of horse facilities.
Regardless of whether a permit is required for k eeping pet horses:
(1) Horse barns and shelters shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from the rear and side
property lines, at least twenty -five (25) feet from any dwelling on the same premises,
and at least sixty (60) feet from any dwelling or swim ming pool on adjacent premises if
such dwelling or swimming pool exists when the horse barn or shelter is built.
(2) Corrals and pens shall be located at least three (3) feet from any property line and at
least sixty (60) feet from any dwelling or swimmin g pool on adjacent property, if such
dwelling or swimming pool exists when the corral or pen is built.
Sec. 4.120.030. - Structural requirements for horse barns and shelters.
Horse barns and shelters shall meet the following requirements:
(1) They shall not be over twenty -two (22) feet high.
(2) All exterior materials shall not exceed Reflectivity Index of 30.
(3) All plumbing fixtures shall be served by a two -inch diameter building drain. Building
drains in excess of two (2) inches in diameter may be approved by the Planning
Director upon good cause shown.
Sec. 4.120.035. - Limitations on amateur horse events.
Amateur horse events shall not be held on parcels of land having less than five (5) acres
area, nor for more than twelve (12) days on any single parcel of land in one (1) calendar year.
Secs. 4.120.040 —4.120.100. - Reserved.
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DIVISION 2. - PERMIT
Sec. 4.120.105. - Required.
The keeping of pet horses on the same premises as, and incidental to the use of a single
family single -family residence is allowed without permit. Pet horses may be kept under other
circumstances only when a permit to keep them has been issued by the Planning Director, or
when a conditional use permit authorizing them to be kept has been issued under the rules of
the zone where the parcel is located, if the rules of the zone provide for a conditional use
permit. Amateur horse events may be held only when a permit for the specific event has been
issued by the Planning Director.
Sec. 4.120.110. - Applications —Cont ents.
The Planning Director may require that applications for permits required by this Article
contain plot plans and elevations of any structures, proposed or existing, to the extent
reasonably necessary to show what conditions the animals will be subjec ted to, and what
effects keeping them, and human activities associated with their keeping, will have on the
community.
Sec. 4.120.115. - Same —Submission to and review by Health Officer.
The Planning Director shall promptly send a complete copy of any ap plication for a permit
required by this division to the Health Officer for review and shall not issue a permit until the
Planning Director receives and considers the advice of the Health Officer.
Sec. 4.120.120. - Same —Notification.
T he Planning Direct or will issue a permit for keeping pet horses other than on the same
premises as, and incidental to the use of a single -family residence, or for holding an amateur
horse event if the Planning Director finds, after taking into account:
(1) The size and loc ation of the premises where the horses would be kept or the event
held;
(2) The character of the neighborhood;
(3) The number of horses involved;
(4) The facilities existing and to be provided on the premises;
(5) In appropriate instances, the provision for parking and for guests or spectators, that
the horses will be treated safely and humanely, that there will be no adverse effects on
Page 39
the safety or health of persons, that there will be no detrimental effect on or change of
character of the neighborhood, nor any disturbance of persons in the peaceful
enjoyment of their property. If the Planning Director does not so find, the permit shall
not be issued.
Sec. 4.120.130. - Contents.
The Planning Director may include such conditions in the permit as are reasonably
necessary to assure that the standards of section 4.40.125 are met. When the permit is for an
event, it shall specify the date of the event. When reasonably necessary to fulfill the standards
of section 4.40 .125, the permit shall contain an expiration date, and specify the terms, if any,
on which renewal will be permitted.
Sec. 4.120.135. - Modification or revocation.
At any time when the Planning Director has reasonable cause to believe that a permit
issued under this division ought to be modified or revoked, the Planning Director shall give
mailed notice to the permittee and the owners of neighboring land specified in section
4.40.120, in the manner specified in section 4.40.120, for mailed notice, except that such notice
period shall be fifteen (15) days. Before modifying or revoking a permit, the Planning Director
shall consider all evidence presented by the permitte e and any other person. The Planning
Director shall revoke or modify a permit when the Planning Director finds that such revocation
or modification is necessary to meet the standards specified in section 4.120.125.
Sec. 4.120.140. - Appeal.
Any interest ed person may appeal a decision of the Planning Director under this article by
filing an appeal pursuant to section 29.20.255 and following.
ARTICLE XIII. - PIGEONS
Sec. 4.130.010. - Intent.
(a) The intent of this article is to permit only those pigeon lofts in residential zones which can
and will be maintained in such a manner that will protect the health and safety of the
community, and will not become a public nuisance.
(b) It is not the intent of this article to regulate agricultural -commercial pou ltry operations
which are regulated under Chapter IX of Division B4 of Title B of the County Ordinance
Code.
Page 40
Sec. 4.130.015. - Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated in this section,
unless the contex t clearly requires otherwise:
Director means Director of Environmental Health Services or the designated representative
of the Director of Environmental Health Services.
EHS means the Environmental Health Services of the EMA.
EMA means the Environmental Management Agency of the County of Santa Clara.
Leg band means a ring of metal or plastic which bears thereon the means of identifying the
individual bird and its owner or keeper.
Mature birds means mean those pigeons aged six (6) months or over.
Permit means a license issued by EHS for the maintenance of a pigeon loft.
Pigeon loft means only such structures for the keeping of pigeons as are duly licensed as
herein provided.
Pigeons means and includes only those birds of the family Columbidae, which ar e
maintained and housed by the owner or keeper thereof in a pigeon loft and which must be
identified by means of leg bands.
Sec. 4.130.020. - Permit —Required; application.
No person shall keep, maintain, or harbor in excess of twelve (12) pigeons in any
residentially zoned area without a permit. EHS will issue a permit to an applicant who applies
for such a permit in writing on a form approved by EHS and meets the requiremen ts of section
4.40.025.
Sec. 4.130.025. - Same —Prerequisites to issuance.
(a) Before EHS will issue a permit required by section 4.40.020, the applicant shall comply with
the following requirements:
(1) The loft shall be of a sufficient size and design and constructed of material that can be
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(2) The construction and location of the loft shall not conflict with the requirements of any
building code or setback line, and shall be at least twenty -five (25) feet from any
occupied human dwelling.
(3) Provide for the feed storage in such a manner that protects against intrusion by
rodents and other vermin.
(4) Provide for the sanitary disposal of all manure at frequent intervals.
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(b) The EHS may specify additional conditions to the permit as deemed necessary for carrying
out the intent of this article.
Sec. 4.130.030. - Same —Revocation.
A pigeon loft permit may be revoked by EHS for the violation of any of the requirements of
sectio ns 4.50.025 and 4.50.050 of this article. EHS shall mail or personally serve the permit
holder with a written notice setting forth the grounds for revocation of the permit and advising
the permit holder that the permit holder has ten (10) days from receipt of the notice to request
in writing a show cause hearing, and that failure to request a hearing will constitute an
admission of the alleged violation, resulting in the immediate revocation of the permit.
Sec. 4.130.035. - Same —Show cause hearing on revoc ation.
Upon receipt of a written request for a show of cause hearing, EHS shall schedule a hearing
before the Director. The permit holder may present written evidence and oral testimony at the
hearing, and may be represented by legal counsel. The decision of the Director is final. The
hearing need not be conducted in accordance with technical rules of evidence.
Sec. 4.130.040. - Fees.
(a) A fee shall be charged for each pigeon loft permit in accordance with the number of
mature birds maintained. The fee schedule shall be as established by Council resolution
from time to time.
(b) Each permit shall be renewed annually for a fee as established by Council resolution from
time to time, except that the fee shall be required when the number of mature birds
exc eeds the initial or original number permitted.
Sec. 4.130.045. - Exemption.
No permit is required to keep, maintain, or harbor twelve (12) or fewer pigeons in
residential zones. However, the pigeons shall be reasonably confined to the property and
maint ained in a sanitary condition, and not a public nuisance.
Sec. 4.130.050. - Management of pigeon loft.
In addition to the requirements set forth in section 4.50.025, the permit holder shall at all
times comply with the following:
(1) The pigeon loft sh all be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(2) Manure shall not be allowed to accumulate in the loft or be stored on the premises.
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(3) Pigeons shall be confined to the loft, except for limited periods necessary for exercise,
training and/or compe tition; at no time shall pigeons be allowed to perch or linger on
the buildings or property of other persons.
(4) Spilled or excess feed in or around the loft shall be promptly removed and disposed of
in a manner that does not attract rodents.
Sec. 4.130.055. - Inspection authority.
Pigeon lofts and accessory buildings and property may be inspected at any reasonable time
or interval by EHS.
SECTION 3. CONSTRUCTION . The Town Council intends this Ordinance to supplement, not to
duplicate or contradict, applicable state and federal law and this Ordinance shall be construed
in light of that intent. To the extent the provisions of the Los Gatos Municipal Code as amended
b y this Ordinance are substantially the same as the provisions of that Code as it read prior to
the adoption of this Ordinance, those amended provisions shall be construed as continuations
of the earlier provisions and not as new enactments.
SECTION 3 . C EQA . The Town Council finds and determines that the adoption of this ordinance
is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA
Guidelines under the General Rule (Section 15061(b)(3)), which sets forth that the C EQA applies
only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. It
can be seen with certainty that the proposed Town Code text amendments will have no
significant negative effect on the environment.
SECTION 4 . S EVERABILITY . If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The Town
Council of the Town of Los Gatos hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and
each section or subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that
any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or p hrases be declared invalid.
Except as expressly modified in this Ordinance, all other sections set forth in the Los Gatos
Town Code shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 5 . EFFECTIVE DATE . This ordinance shall take effect immediately and will be enforced
thirty (30) days after its adoption.
SECTION 6 . PUBLICATION AND POSTING . In lieu of publication of the full text of the ordinance
within fifteen (15) days after its passage, a summary of the ordinance may be published at least
five (5) days prior to and fifteen (15) days after adoption by the Town Council and a certified
copy shall be posted in the office of the Town Clerk, pursuant to GC 36933(c)(1).
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SECTION 7. INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTI ON . This Ordinance was introduced at a regular
meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on June 19 , 201 8 and adopted by the
following vote as an ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos at a meeting of the Town Council of
the Town of Los Gatos on August 7 , 201 8 .
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA