City Council Agenda
Memo to: Manteca City Council
From: Jodie Estarziau, Chief of Police
Date: February 5, 2019
Subject: Title 6 Sections 6.04 Animals Generally and 6.08 Dogs, 6.08.150 Kennels
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Waive the final reading by substitution of the title and adopt an ordinance amending Municipal Code, Title 6 Animals, Chapters 6.04 Animals Generally and 6.08.150 Dogs, Kennels.
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Background:
Currently, the City of Manteca does not have a limit on the number of dogs and cats allowed per dwelling, nor does it have a Municipal Code concerning the removal of animal excrement deposited on public and/or private property.
The City of Manteca has an important interest in setting and enforcing certain standards within the community as a whole in order to better promote property values through improved community aesthetics, as well as provide for the general welfare and quality of life of its citizens.
Setting a limit on the number of cats and dogs per dwelling, as well as adopting a policy regarding the removal of animal excrement on public and/or private property allows the city to maintain safe and sanitary conditions within our city limits. Owners who have more than the stated number of dogs (3) and cats (3) as of the passing of this ordinance are exempt for those animals only as long as the dogs are currently licensed with the City of Manteca and as long as the cats are alive.
The City of Manteca previously had an ordinance limiting the number of cats and dogs allowed, but the ordinance was inadvertently changed by staff during an update of the municipal code in 2011, Ordinance 1495. Setting a limit on the number of dogs and cats allowed will bring Manteca up to date with every other incorporated city in San Joaquin County. Following is the amount of dogs and cats allowed by other cities in the county.
Escalon: No more than four animals total, either dogs or cats.
Lathrop: Three dogs and three cats.
Lodi: No more than five animals total, either dogs or cats.
Ripon: No more than three animals total, either dogs or cats.
Stockton: Three dogs and three cats.
Tracy: Two dogs and three cats.
For individuals who wish to have more than the three dogs they can apply for a kennel permit, which is done through the city. Under certain circumstances a kennel permit allows a person to keep and maintain more than three dogs.
For these reasons, Staff recommends the City Council approve the amendments to the Manteca Municipal Code Title 6, Animals as stated above.
Staff would also like to put forward other options in case the City Council does not desire to choose the first recommendation of 3 cats and 3 dogs:
Option number one would be no more than four animal’s total, either cats or dogs.
Option number two would be two dogs and three cats.
Option number three would be no more than five animal’s total, three of which may be dogs.
Should the Council decide to not go with the staff recommendation and select one of the other three options, the ordinance will need to be brought back at a later date for a second reading.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
Documents Attached:
1. Attachment 1 - Ordinance
2. Attachment 2 - Redline Code Edit