ORDINANCE NO. 2026-786
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORTUNA CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 6 - ANIMALS OF THE FORTUNA MUNICIPAL CODE BY REVISING CHAPTER 6.04- GENERAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE WHEREAS, the City of Fortuna ("City") is a municipal corporation, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted Title 6 of the Fortuna Municipal Code regulating animals within the City of Fortuna on April 5, 1976, Ordinance 76-362; and WHEREAS, the current provisions of Chapter 6.04 require formal court appearances for animal control citations issued under the Fortuna Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, the City Council intends, by Ordinance, to amend certain provisions of Chapter 6.04 of the Fortuna Municipal Code to authorize the use of correctable citations for certain animal control violations in order to encourage voluntary compliance and improve administrative efficiency; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the staff report, supporting documents, public testimony, and all appropriate information that has been submitted with this Ordinance.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORTUNA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The above recitals are each incorporated by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council.
SECTION 2. CEQA. The City Council finds, pursuant to the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA), Guidelines section 15378, that this Ordinance is not a Project as defined by CEQA.
Furthermore, the Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) as it is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 3. Fortuna Municipal Code Amendment. Section 6.04.050 (Penalty for Violations) of the Fortuna Municipal Code is amended by deleting the text shown below as bold-strike-through- text and adding the text shown below in bold-underlined-text.
6.04.050. PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS
The following penalties shall apply for violation of this title except when in conflict with existing state statues, which take precedence:
A. The animal control officer or any police officer of the city may issue to the known owner of any animal violating this title a citation for ordinance violation. Sueh citation shall require appearance before the Humboldt County Superior court in Eureka, California. Fine amounts are to be determined by the judge utilizing the California Bail and Penalties Fee Sehedule. In the officer's discretion, owners in violation of this title shall have the opportunity to correct the violation within thirty (30) days of issuance of the violation. If an owners fails to correct the violation of this title, the owner must appear before the -1-
Humboldt County superior court in Eureka, California. The judge will determine Fine amounts utilizing the California Bail and Penalties Fee Schedule.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this title, any violation of any provision of this title is hereby declared to be an infraction. (Ord. 2010-683 § 2; Ord. 76-362 § 38).
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions or application of the remaining provisions of this Ordinance, which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. These Ordinance amendments shall become effective thirty (30) days after adoption by the City Council. The Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in the manner required by Government Code section 36933.
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READING PERFORMED on this 15th day of June 2026 by the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Conley, Diaz, Mayor Pro Tem Trent, Mayor Johnson NAYS: None
ABSENT: Council Member Stevens
ABSTAIN: None
Mike Johnson, Mayor
ATTEST:
sanat emmous
Siana L. Emmons, City Clerk
SECOND READING PERFORMED AND ADOPTED on the 20th day of July 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: Mike Johnson, Mayor
Siana L. Emmons, City Clerk
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