CITY OF COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
CHAPTER 6-200
KENNELS AND MULTIPLE PET LOCATIONS

6-201 Purpose. The City Council finds that the keeping of three (3) or more dogs, cats, or any combination thereof on the same premises, if not properly controlled can become a nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood due to smell, noise, destruction and soiling of property, safety of persons and other animals, and general unsightliness. Therefore, the City Council also finds that the reasonable regulation of three (3) or more dogs, cats, or any combination thereof on the same premises is necessary to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Coon Rapids.

6-202 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Cat. An animal of the feline family.
(2) Designee. An individual or panel of two or more individuals empowered to review applications for and issue kennel licenses and multiple pet permits.
(3) Dog. An animal of the canine family.
(4) Kennel. A place where more than two dogs, cats, or any combination thereof are kept for the business of selling, boarding for a fee, breeding for sale, or some other enterprise intended primarily for profit making purposes. The term "kennel" shall include pet stores, but shall not include pet grooming shops or animal hospitals unless the pet grooming shop or animal hospital also engages in the boarding and/or breeding of cats or dogs
(5) Multiple Pet Location. A place where more than two dogs, cats, or any combination thereof over six months of age are kept which does not constitute a kennel.
(6) Pet. A cat or dog that is domesticated or tamed and kept as a companion or treated with affection.
(7) Police Chief. The Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee.
(8) Run. An area of property defined by fencing or similar barriers and intended exclusively for the confinement of animals.

6-203 Authority to Issue. The Police Chief is hereby authorized to approve, approve with conditions, or deny applications for kennel licenses or multiple pet permits in the City.

6-204 Kennel License Required. No person shall keep or maintain a kennel in the City except upon obtaining a license from the Police Chief.

6-205 Multiple Pet Permit Required. No person shall keep or maintain a multiple pet location in the City except upon obtaining a multiple pet permit from the Police Chief.

6-206 License or Permit. Each license of permit issued pursuant to this Chapter shall run from July 1st of each year to June 30th of the next succeeding year.

6-207 Applicant. The applicant for a multiple pet permit must reside at the proposed multiple pet location and must be at least 18 years of age. The applicant for a kennel license must be at least 18 years of age and have a legal interest in the location of the proposed kennel.

6-208 Application. An application for a kennel license or multiple pet permit shall be made to the Police Chief on forms provided by the City. An application shall contain the following:

(1) Whether the application is for a kennel license or multiple pet permit.
(2) The location of the premises.
(3) The applicant’s name, address, date of birth, and telephone number, both home and work if applicable.
(4) For kennel licenses, the interest the applicant has in the proposed kennel location.
(5) The name, address, and telephone number, both home and work if applicable, of one other person who may be contacted in the absence of the applicant.
(6) The maximum number and species of adult dogs and/or cats to be kept on the premises. The term “adult,” as used herein, shall include any animal over six months of age.
(7) A site plan showing the location, size, and type of all structures for housing, fencing, and runs for dogs. If the license is for cats only, the plan need show only the location, size, and type of structures for housing. Separate housing and runs for dogs shall be a minimum of 50 feet from any neighboring habitable dwelling and a minimum of ten (10) feet from any property line. If the dogs and/or cats are to be kept primarily within a building, the applicant shall so state.
(8) Whether the applicant anticipates breeding the animals and, if so, how often and the expected size of the litters.
(9) The method to be used to keep the premises in a sanitary condition.
(10) The method to be used to keep the animals quiet.
(11) An agreement by the applicant that the premises may be inspected by the City at all reasonable times.
(12) Such other information as the Police Chief may reasonably require to adequately review and application.

6-209 Fencing. All pets subject to a kennel license or multiple pet permit, which under the terms of that license or permit, or other zoning requirements, may be kept outside, must be confined to the premises by adequate fencing as determined by the Police Chief. The Police Chief may waive this requirement for a multiple pet permit upon a finding that an adequate alternative method of confining the pets to the premises is being provided. Fencing is not required for a multiple pet permit issued exclusively for cats.

6-210 Site Inspection.

(1) New Application. Prior to the issuance of a new kennel license or multiple pet permit, the Police Chief shall cause the proposed location to be inspected for compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(2) Renewal Applications. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this Section, a kennel or a multiple pet location shall be site inspected every third year after the initial inspection. An application by an applicant other than the original applicant or the original applicant’s spouse at a previously approved kennel or multiple pet location shall be considered a new application.
(3) Complaints. The Police Chief may cause a kennel or multiple pet location to be site inspected at any time a complaint relating to the site requirements is received by the City. If the inspection confirms a violation, the license or permit holder will be notified of the deficiencies and given a reasonable time in which to make appropriate corrections. If the deficiencies are not corrected within the time provided, a second notice will be sent followed by a reinspection and a reinspection fee will be charged.
(4) Inspection Fees. Inspection fees for new and renewal applications and reinspection fees shall be established from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(5) Notice. The Police Chief shall make every reasonable effort to notify a license or permit holder or applicant prior to any site inspection.

6-211 Issuance and Conditions. New and renewal kennel licenses and multiple pet permits shall be issued by the Police Chief. The Police Chief shall take into consideration the following:

(1) Adequacy of housing and space for the animals.
(2) Methods to be used for sanitation control and to maintain quiet.
(3) Quality and height of fencing or the adequacy of an alternative confinement method.
(4) Prior violations or complaints stated with particularity regarding the applicant's keeping or maintenance of animals on the premises.

If complaints are received from other citizens, the Police Chief may refer the matter to Mediation Services prior to making a final decision. The Police Chief in arriving at a decision may take into consideration the results of any mediation or the failure to enter into mediation.

Prior to making a final decision, the Police Chief may conduct a hearing to receive information from all interested parties. Notice of a hearing shall be sent to occupants of property situation wholly or partly within 350 feet of the proposed kennel or multiple pet location. Failure to provide such notice or a deficiency in the notice shall not invalidate the decision provided that the Police Chief has made a good faith effort to provide such notice.

The Police Chief may impose such conditions on a license or permit, new or renewal, that may be deemed reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out the intent of this Chapter.

6-212 Time Limitation. Final action on an application for a new or renewal kennel license or multiple pet permit shall be made within 60 days after receipt by the City of a completed application. The time period specified herein shall not begin to run until the applicant has fully completed the application form and provide all additional information or documentation. For good cause, the time period may be extend once for up to an additional 60 days upon written notice to the applicant within the original 60 day period. Failure to act on an application within the allot time period, including any extensions thereof, shall be deemed approval of the application unless otherwise agreed to in advance by the applicant. The time required for any appeal of the decision of the Police Chief shall not be included in the time period set out herein.

6-213 Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Police Chief may appeal that decision to the City Council by filing a request for appeal with the City Manager within ten calendar days after the Police Chief’s decision. The manager shall cause the appeal to be placed on the agenda of the next regular City Council meeting that is held not less than ten calendar days following receipt of the appeal request. The City Council may affirm or reject the decision of the Police Chief. The Council may add reasonable conditions to any decision granting a license or permit or may delete any conditions previously imposed by the Police Chief.

6-214 Revocation. If a license or permit holder fails to comply with the statements made in the application or with any reasonable conditions imposed on the license or permit, violates any other provisions of this Chapter, or fails to remedy any defects in accordance with Section 6-205(3) after the second notice thereof, the City Council may revoke the license or permit in accordance with the provisions of Section 5-108 of this Code.

6-215 Unlawful Acts. It shall be unlawful for any license or permit holder to do or permit any of the following:

(1) Allow any of the dogs to run at large on any street or public property or any private property not owned by the license or permit holder or under the control of the license or permit holder.
(2) Allow the premises to be kept in an unsanitary or unhealthful condition.
(3) Burn offal or waste.
(4) Allow the animals to bark, yelp, or fight so as to disturb the neighborhood either night or day.
(5) Allow any of the animals to bite or scratch anyone lawfully on or off the premises.
(6) Maintain any animals in such manner as to create a nuisance by way of noise, odor, or otherwise.
(7) Sell or cause to be sold any dog or cat without first providing the purchaser with written certification as to the origin of the animal.
(8) Keep or maintain more animals than provided for in the approved license or permit.

6-216 Tags. License or permit holders shall affix an identification tag to all dogs and cats owned by or under the control of the license or permit holder. Such identification tags shall at a minimum contain the name, address and telephone number of the license or permit holder.

6-217 Rabies Vaccination. A license or permit holder shall cause every dog and/or cat subject to the license or permit to be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian with anti-rabies vaccine. Puppies and kittens shall be so vaccinated at or before the age of sixteen weeks and again at the age of one year. Adult animals shall be so vaccinated at least once in every 24 month period or as often as needed under the type of vaccine used to ensure immunity.

6-218 License and Permit Fees. Annual fees for a kennel license or multiple pet permit shall be established from time to time by resolution of the City Council.

6-219 Penalties. Any person who maintains a kennel or multiple pet location without first obtaining a license or permit therefore shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

6-220 Community Service Officers may Issue Citations. Community Service Officers may issue citations for the violations of this chapter, provided, that no Community Service Officer may require a person served to sign a promise to appear with respect to any such citation. [Revised 7/18/00, Ordinance 1701]