PRESENTER: Presenter
Joshua Jimenez, Senior Animal Welfare & Rescue Officer & Jorge Moya, Animal Welfare & Rescue Officer II
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SUBJECT: Title
Discussion of an amendment to Chapter 6-78, of the City’s Code of Ordinances regarding keeping of wild animals.
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DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Community Planning
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The current ordinance uses a broad definition of “wild animals,” which effectively prohibits ownership of all non-domestic species. In practice, when the City receives calls about exotic pets, it is often found that these animals are legally purchased, responsibly cared for, and pose no public health or safety issues. Residents frequently reach out seeking guidance on how to legally own exotic animals within the city limits, but under the current ordinance, those conversations end before they can begin.
A potential change would not be intended to encourage exotic pet ownership. Instead, it aims to bring the City’s local regulations into alignment with state law and provide clearer, more practical guidance for residents.
ISSUE:
The current ordinance uses a broad definition that restricts ownership of many animals, including non-dangerous exotic species. Updating the ordinance would allow residents to legally own certain exotic animals consistent with what state law already permits while still prohibiting genuinely dangerous species. This change would provide clear, specific guidance on which animals are allowed and which are not, creating a more practical and enforceable ordinance.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is seeking the board’s recommendation to prepare a draft ordinance for consideration of a recommendation at the next ASAB meeting.