5.24.030 License Requirement.
A. License Requirements – Generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, maintain, or have six or more dogs and/or cats, or operate a commercial kennel or cattery, boarding kennel/cattery, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, private kennel/cattery, short-term boarding facility, or pet shop, within the unincorporated areas of Pierce County without an applicable license as provided for by this Chapter.
Any person(s) who engages in more than one of the services or maintains more than one of the types of facilities cited in this Section shall pay all appropriate license fees as provided in Chapter 5.04 PCC.
Licensed veterinarians who, in addition to veterinary medical services on the premises, provide the ancillary services of boarding, grooming, and foster care for their patients, are exempt from the licensing requirements of this Chapter.
A noncommercial kennel with five or fewer dogs or cats must be licensed under PCC 6.04.020 and not under this Chapter.
B. Transfer of License. If there is any change in ownership of any commercial kennel or cattery, boarding kennel/cattery, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel/cattery, grooming parlor, private kennel/cattery, short-term boarding facility, or pet shop, the new owner may have the current permit transferred to his or her name upon the payment of a $75.00 transfer fee and upon the approval of the Pierce County Auditor, or the Auditor's designated agent.
C. Grounds for Denial. A permit or license may be denied for the following causes:
1. Conviction by the applicant of crimes related to animals.
2. Withholding or falsifying any information on the application.
3. Failure to meet the requirements for approval from the Fire Prevention Bureau, Planning and Public Works, or the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department within 90 days from the date of application.
D. Renewal. Upon compliance with this Chapter along with the tender of any fees required by Chapter 5.04 PCC, the Pierce County Auditor shall issue a renewal license, and the applicant for such license shall post such license in a conspicuous place upon the premises. A penalty fee of 100 percent of the license fee shall be assessed if the license application is not submitted by March 31. Payment of this penalty shall not preclude the imposition of penalties prescribed in PCC 5.24.150 and 5.24.160.
E. License – Required Information. Every license shall state on its face the name of the owner and operator of the animal facility, the address, the maximum number of animals which can be kept in the facility at any one time, and the expiration date of the license. The number of animals which can be kept in the facility at any one time shall be determined by Pierce County who inspected the premises, and may be modified by the County from time to time if the facility conditions change. The location of any kennel shall not be changed without prior permission of the Auditor and such permission will be granted only after appropriate inspections have been conducted.
F. Records – Duty to Maintain. Every licensed person shall maintain records for three years (current year and past two years) on dogs and/or cats. Said records shall contain a list of the names and addresses of persons from whom animals are received and to whom animals are sold, traded, given away, or groomed. All animal transactions shall be listed on the records and these records shall be made available for inspection by the Auditor and/or agent of Pierce County at all reasonable times for a specific reason.