Chapter 7.04
KEEPING ANIMALS AND FOWL

Sections:
 

   7.04.010   Health officer defined. 

   7.04.020   Small animals defined. 

   7.04.030   Permit - Requirements generally. 

   7.04.040   Exemptions to chapter applicability. 

   7.04.050   Permit - Application - Period of validity. 

   7.04.060   Permit - Fees. 

   7.04.070   Permit - Renewal procedures. 

   7.04.080   Permit - Transfer prohibited. 

   7.04.090   Permit privilege - Revocation conditions - Notice. 

   7.04.100   Removal of animals following permit or privilege revocation - Time limit. 

   7.04.110   Proximity to dwelling - Live stock. 

   7.04.120   Exemption - Lands annexed to city. 

   7.04.130   Side setback area. 

   7.04.140   Proximity to occupiable dwelling - Fowl and small animals. 

   7.04.150   Premises to be fenced - Exceptions. 

   7.04.160   Sanitary enclosures required. 

   7.04.170   Refuse container requirements. 

   7.04.180   Number of animals - Restrictions. 

   7.04.190   Enclosures, containers, and feed supply. 

   7.04.200   Food storage containers. 

   7.04.210   Trapping and snaring wild animals prohibited when. 

   7.04.220   Noisy animals prohibited. 

   7.04.230   Enforcement - Health officer authority. 

   7.04.240   Inspection of premises authorized when. 

7.04.010   Health officer defined. 

   Whenever the term “health officer” is used in this chapter, it means the head of city's health department.

(Prior code § 4101.24; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.020   Small animals defined. 

   Whenever the term “small animals” is used in this chapter, it means hares, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, game birds, or other fowl.

(Ord. 20550.)

7.04.030   Permit - Requirements generally. 

   No person shall have in his possession or control, on any premises in the city, any horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat, hare, rabbit, chicken, turkey, goose, duck, dove, pigeon, game bird, or other fowl, hereinafter referred to in this chapter as “animals or fowl,” unless he shall have obtained and have in his possession a permit from the health officer, which permit shall be issued only after inspection of the premises and approval of the sanitary condition and sanitary facilities thereof, and such enclosure asmay be reasonably necessary to secure any such animal or fowl. No permit shall be required if no more than a maximum of six small animals is maintained in any combination thereof. Except as to the provisions regarding issuance, renewal and revocation of permits, all other provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to those persons maintaining six or less small animals.

(Prior code § 4101.24; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.040   Exemptions to chapter applicability. 

   The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to circuses, carnivals, agricultural shows or exhibits and other similar enterprises which operate for limited periods only, where a permit to conduct such enterprises has been granted in accordance with the chapter of this code relating to the operation of such enterprises, nor to any pet shop, pet grooming parlor, or animal menagerie as said terms are defined in Chapter 7.08 of this code.

(Prior code § 4101.21; 7.04.030; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.050   Permit - Application - Period of validity. 

   All applications for permits for the keeping of any such animals or fowl shall be filed with the health officer, on forms to be provided by him or her. Every permit issued pursuant to such application shall be valid for a period of two years from date of issue, unless revoked in the manner as hereinafter provided by this chapter.

(Prior code § 4201.2; 7.04.040; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.060   Permit - Fees. 

   The fee for each biennial permit for the keeping of any such animals or fowl shall be as set forth in the schedule of fees established by resolution of council.

(Prior code § 4101.2a; 7.04.050; Ords. 20550, 2106, 21042, 21286.)

7.04.070   Permit - Renewal procedures. 

   Upon the expiration of any permit, the same may be renewed by the person to whom it has been issued by filing an application for a renewal thereof with the health officer. Approval of such application for renewal of permit shall be issued and the permit endorsed for the succeeding biennial period in the same manner as prescribed for the first renewal.

(Prior code § 4101.3; 7.04.060; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.080   Permit - Transfer prohibited. 

   Permits issued under this chapter shall not be sold, assigned or transferred and shall cover the premises designated and the person to whom issued only. Permits shall be revoked for violation of this provision.

(Prior code § 4101.8; 7.04.070; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.090   Permit privilege - Revocation conditions -Notice. 

   Every such permit, so issued, or every privilege to keep six or less small animals shall be subject to revocation. The health officer shall revoke permits or revoke the privilege to keep six or less small animals without a permit for violations of the provisions of this chapter, regulations of the city, or the health laws and regulations of this state, by notice in writing delivered personally or by mail to the holder of such permit or person maintaining six or less small animals.

(Prior code § 4101.4; 7.04.080; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.100   Removal of animals following permit or privilege revocation - Time limit. 

   In the event of the revocation of any such permit, or in the event that there is a revocation of the privilege to maintain six or less small animals, the holder of such permit or that person maintaining six or less small animals shall remove all animals or fowl from the premises covered by the permit or from the premises maintaining six or less small animals within fifteen days after receipt of notice of revocation. If a written appeal to the health officer is made, the period of time for removal of such animals or fowl shall be extended until ten days after affirmation of the revocation by the health officer. The decision of the health officer shall be final.

(Prior code § 4101.7; 7.04.090; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.110   Proximity to dwelling - Live stock. 

   No person shall keep any horse, cow, pig, sheep or goat within one hundred fifty feet of any dwelling other than the dwelling of the owner of such animal, or within thirty-five feet of the dwelling of such owner.

(Prior code § 4104.12; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.120   Exemption - Lands annexed to city. 

   1.   Lands which are annexed to the city of San José, and upon which any barn, stable or roofed structures are existing and were being used for the shelter of horses, cows, pigs, sheep or goats at the time of annexation, shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 7.04.110 of this code. This exemption from the requirements of Section 7.04.110 shall not apply to structures which are placed on the annexed lands after the date of annexation.

   2.   The following regulations shall apply to those lands exempted under subdivision 1 of this section:

      a.   Any barn, stable or roofed structures existing at the time of annexation and used for the shelter of horses, cows, pigs, sheep or goats shall be located no closer than one hundred feet to any dwelling or swimming pool on the property adjacent to the property where said animals are kept.

      b.   All barns, stables or roofed structures existing at the time of annexation and used for the shelter of horses, cows, sheep, pigs or goats shall be located no closer than twenty-five feet from a residence on the subject property.

      c.   Any corral, fenced area or restraint for horses, cows, pigs, sheep or goats shall not be located closer than sixty feet to a dwelling or swimming pool on the property adjacent to the property where said animals are kept.

   3.   Nothing herein contained, nor any exemption granted hereunder shall permit or be deemed to permit the maintenance of a public nuisance or permit the violation of any other applicable law, ordinance or regulation.

(Ord. 20550.)

7.04.130   Side setback area. 

   No person shall keep any animals or fowl as designated in Section 7.04.030 within any side setback area as defined by San José Municipal Code Sections 20.30.250 and 20.30.260.

(Ord. 20550.)

7.04.140   Proximity to occupiable dwelling - Fowl and small animals. 

   Not more than the maximum number of small animals either of the same type or combination thereof may be maintained within the designated distances as set forth below in this section. Designated distances shall be that distance measured from the enclosure or structure housing such small animals to the nearest occupiable dwelling other than the permittee's.

Designated Distance 
 
Maximum Number of Small Animals
 
 
Less than 15 feet
   
0
   
More than 15 feet but less than 20 feet
   
4
   
More than 20 feet but less than 30 feet
   
6
   
More than 30 feet but less than 40 feet
   
8
   
More than 40 feet but less than 50 feet
   
10
   
More than 50 feet
   
25
   

(Ord. 20550.)

7.04.150   Premises to be fenced - Exceptions. 

   Any person maintaining any such animals or fowl within the city shall keep the premises upon which they are kept fenced so as to keep them from leaving the premises, and shall not permit such animals or fowl to run at large upon the streets, or upon the property of other persons; provided, however, homing pigeons may be released for flying.

(Ord. 20550.)

7.04.160   Sanitary enclosures required. 

A.   All premises, enclosures or structures wherein said animals or fowl are kept shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, free from all obnoxious smells or substances.

B.   The presence of numerous flies or the presence of fly larvae in the vicinity of any such premises, enclosures or structures shall be evidence of a lack of sanitary maintenance of the premises.

C.   Any unnecessary accumulation of debris, refuse, manure or other removable material upon any surface within any such enclosed area or premises, or within any structure used or intended to be used for the housing of such animals or fowl, shall be evidence of a lack of sanitary maintenance of the premises.

D.   Any obnoxious odor or allergen arising from any condition existing within the enclosure or within any structure used or intended to be used for the housing of such animals or fowl shall be evidence of a lack of sanitary maintenance of the premises.

E.   All premises, enclosures or structures used or intended to be used for the keeping or housing of any such animals or fowl shall be thoroughly cleaned and all debris, refuse, manure or other removable material removed therefrom as often as may be necessary to effect satisfactory compliance with the provisions of this section. Enclosures housing small animals shall be cleaned of all debris, refuse, offal, manure, and filth on a daily basis.

(Prior code § 4101.9; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.170   Refuse container requirements. 

   All refuse and manure and any material conducive to the breeding of flies or which would create any obnoxious odor, removed from such premises, enclosures or such structures, shall be placed in suitable tight containers, which containers must be covered with a tightly fitted flyproof cover, until entirely removed from the premises or until actually turned under the surface of the soil, where such materials are used as fertilizer.

(Prior code § 4101.10; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.180   Number of animals - Restrictions. 

   From and after the effective date of this chapter, no rooster over four months old and not more than twenty-five small animals shall be kept on any premises within the city, unless the premises involved are operating under a valid permit to engage in the handling of such animals or fowl on a commercial basis, and where the conducting of such a business is in accordance with the city's zoning ordinance.

(Ord. 20550.)

7.04.190   Enclosures, containers, and feed supply. 

   All enclosures, refuse containers, and all feed containers intended for the use of hares, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, game birds or other fowl shall be constructed, maintained and kept in such a manner as to be completely proofed against the ingress of rodents. The floors of every such enclosure shall be smooth and tight, and maintained so as to prevent accumulation of filth or water or harboring of vermin thereunder.

(Ord. 20550.)

7.04.200   Food storage containers. 

   All grain or cereal foods intended for use as food for any bovine or equine animals or any sheep or goats shall be kept in metal containers provided with tightly fitted metal covers, unless the structure wherein such foods are kept is completely rodentproofed.

(Prior code § 4101.20; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.210   Trapping and snaring wild animals prohibited when. 

   No person shall snare or trap, or set any trap or snare for the purpose of trapping or snaring, any wild birds, except such birds as are destructive to fruit, within the city.

(Prior code § 4101.22; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.220   Noisy animals prohibited. 

   No person shall keep or permit to remain on any premises within the city any animal that habitually disturbs the peace and quietude of any neighborhood or person, by howling, barking, crying, baying or making any other noise.

(Prior code § 4101.25; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.230   Enforcement - Health officer authority. 

   The health officer and any employee of city's department of neighborhood preservation authorized by the health officer to do so shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and perform all duties imposed upon the health officer by the provisions of this chapter. In the enforcement of said provisions and in the performance of said duties, they shall have and are hereby invested with the power and authority of a peace officer but shall not be deemed to be members of the police department.

(Prior code § 4101.26; Ord. 20550.)

7.04.240   Inspection of premises authorized when. 

   The health officer and each other employee of the department of neighborhood preservation referred to in section 7.04.230 are authorized to enter upon any premises, to the extent permitted and in the manner provided by law, other than a dwelling, for the purpose of inspecting the same to ascertain if any of the provisions of this chapter are being violated. Neither the health officer nor any such other employee of the health department shall exercise the right of inspection granted by this section unless hehas reasonable cause believe that such inspection is reasonably necessary to carry out or enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 4101.27; Ord. 20550.)