8.02.470 Hobby kennel – Conditions.
(1) Limitation on Number of Dogs Allowed. Any hobby kennel or hobby cattery license shall limit the total number of dogs over six months of age kept by such hobby kennel or hobby cattery based on the following guidelines:
(a) The amount of lot area; provided, that the maximum number shall not exceed 25 where the lot area contains five acres or more; the maximum number shall not exceed five per acre where the lot area contains one acre but less than five acres and the maximum number shall not exceed four where the lot is less than one acre;
(b) The facility specifications or dimensions in which the dogs are to be maintained;
(c) The zoning classification in which the hobby kennel would be maintained.
(2) Requirements – Hobby Kennels.
(a) All open run areas shall be completely surrounded by a six-foot fence set back at least 20 feet from all property lines; for purposes of this section “open run area” means that area, within the property lines of the premises on which the hobby kennel is to be maintained, where the dogs are sheltered and maintained.
(b) No commercial signs or other appearances advertising the hobby kennel are permitted on the property except for the sale of the allowable offspring set forth in this section, or otherwise allowable under the city sign code as codified in Chapter 17.110 SMC.
(c) The animal control officer may require setback, additional setback, fencing, screening or soundproofing pursuant to SMC Title 17, Zoning, as she or he deems necessary to ensure the compatibility of the hobby kennel with the surrounding neighborhood. Factors to be considered in determining such compatibility are:
(i) Statement regarding approval or disapproval of surrounding neighbors relative to maintenance of a hobby kennel at the address applied for;
(ii) Past history of animal control complaints relating to the dogs and cats of the applicant at the address for which the hobby kennel is applied for;
(iii) Facility specifications and dimensions in which the dogs are to be maintained;
(iv) Animal size, type and characteristics of breed;
(v) The zoning classification of the premises on which the hobby kennel is maintained.
(d) The hobby kennel shall limit dog reproduction to no more than one litter per license year per female dog and two litters per license year per female cat;
(e) Each dog in the hobby kennel shall have current and proper immunization from disease according to the dog’s species and age. Such shall consist of DHLPP inoculation for dogs over three months of age and rabies inoculations for all dogs over six months of age.
(3) License Issuance and Maintenance. Only when the animal control officer is satisfied that the requirements of this chapter have been met may a hobby kennel license be issued. The license will continue in full force throughout the license year unless, at any time, the hobby kennel is maintained in such a manner as to:
(a) Exceed the number of dogs allowed at the hobby kennel by the animal control section; or
(b) Fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter.
(4) Special Hobby Kennel License.
(a) Persons owning a total number of four dogs who do not meet the requirements for a hobby kennel license may be eligible for a special hobby kennel license to be issued at no cost by the animal control authority which will allow them to retain the specific animals in their possession; provided, that the following conditions are met:
(i) The applicant must apply for the special hobby kennel license and individual licenses for each dog and cat within 30 days of the enactment of the ordinance codified in this chapter or at the time they are contacted by an animal control officer.
(ii) The applicant is keeping the dogs for the enjoyment of the species, and not as a commercial enterprise.
(b) The special hobby kennel license shall only be valid for those specific dogs in the possession of the applicant at the time of issuance, and is intended to allow pet owners to possess animals beyond the limits imposed by code until such time as the death or transfer of such animals reduces the number possessed to the legal limit set forth by code.
(c) The animal control officer may deny any application or revoke a special hobby kennel license based on past animal control code violations by the applicant’s dogs, or complaints from neighbors regarding the applicant’s dogs; or if the animal(s) is maintained in inhumane conditions. (Ord. 1389 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1033, 1998).