4/8/2025
1 Animal Services Ordinance Amendment
April 8, 2025
Chief Amy Watkins
Morro Bay Police Department
• Morro Bay Municipal Code Title 7, Animals
• Codifies all animal control services in the city
• San Luis Obispo County Code Title 9, Animals
• Codifies all animal control services in the county
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2 • All cities contract with the County of San Luis Obispo to provide animal control services, including enforcement and use of the animal shelter.
Morro Bay Police Department
• Animal Control Officers enforce regulations in all cities creating a confusing mix of laws. • Most city municipal codes related to animals are not frequently updated due to effort and expense required. • County Animal Services has asked each city to adopt the County Code Title 9 by reference to create standardization throughout the county.
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3 • Current contract requires ordinance conformity with the county. • Page 5 section 2, City Obligations. • Adopt, either by direct incorporation in the municipal code or by way of reference, animal control ordinances which are in conformity to and are not in substantial conflict or in variation from Title 9 of the San Luis Obispo County Code.
Morro Bay Police Department
• County of San Luis Obispo updated Title 9 on December 8, 2023. • City of Grover Beach adopted the County code by reference on July 22, 2024. • City of San Luis Obispo adopted the County code by reference on August 20, 2024. • City of Pismo Beach adopted the County code by reference on March 25, 2025. • City of Paso Robles adopted the County code by reference on January 15, 2025. • City of Atascadero and City of Arroyo Grande are working toward adoption.
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4 • Process and Review
• County Code Title 9 and Morro Bay City Code Title 7 were reviewed for similarities and differences by City Staff and County Animal Services. • Most existing City Title 7 sections are contained in a similar form in County Title 9 and can be rescinded. • City maintains the ability to keep specific regulations to Morro Bay. • All efforts were made to keep animal control regulations status quo in the city.
Morro Bay Police Department
• Proposed rescinding for likeness to County Code
• 7.04 - General • 7.08 - Dogs
• 7.12.014 - 7.12.050 - Cats
• 7.16.010 - Other Animals, Poultry and Birds
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5 • Proposed adoption of Title 9 County code resulting in minor changes
• 7.08.020 – Leash Law, addresses loophole in city code regarding dogs on private property in other yards. • 7.08.095 – County code establishes holding period for pets and livestock, city code holds no distinction for livestock. • 7.12.010 – County Animal Services no longer impounds healthy stray cats.
Morro Bay Police Department
• Animal regulations unique to Morro Bay and therefore maintained. • 7.04.130 – Appeal for permit revocation or denial heard by MB City Council. • 7.16.010 – Wild bird sanctuary designation. • 7.16.015 – Nuisance remedies to wild birds. • 7.16.020 – Poultry, rabbits, and other fowl. • 7.16.025 – Livestock. • 7.16.030 – Keeping of pygmy livestock.
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6 • New Regulations
• 9.02.002 – Prohibits unauthorized feeding of animals
on property not their own. • 9.02.008 – Places restrictions on keeping animals designated dangerous or vicious. • 9.02.009 - Places restrictions on the keeping of dangerous and wild animals (venomous snakes, wolf
hybrid dogs, and others). • 9.02.010 – Requires motorists striking domestic animals to stop and render aid or make official
notification. • 9.03.003 – Variance permit for keeping additional animals over standard limitation.
Morro Bay Police Department
• New Regulations (continued) • 9.03.001 – Requires Microchipping for adult dogs and cats. • 9.03.004 – Prohibits cat owners from allowing unaltered cats to roam at large. Allows finders of unaltered cats roaming at large to have the cat altered at their expense. • Animals will not be confiscated for violations. There are lowcost options for vaccinations and microchipping, animals will not be retained due to inability to pay.
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7 • New Regulations (continued) • 9.04.005 – Authorizes Animal Services to vaccinate and provide medical care for impounded animals. • 9.04.007 – Defines holding periods for livestock. • 9.05.006 – Requires individual report of animal sales. • 9.06.002 – Requires commercial animal operation permit. • 9.06.005 – Emergency notifications related to inspections of breeders. • 9.07.007 – Assistance animal identification tag. • 9.08.002 – Establishes a requirement for owners of cats allowed to roam outdoors to have those cats vaccinates against rabies.
Morro Bay Police Department
• New Regulations (continued) • 9.04.010 – Euthanasia of Animals • Concerns
• Should be last resort, efforts should be made to treat injured and sick animals and to rehome/put up for adoption. • Fostering and placement with nonprofit animal rescue should be utilized. • Animal Services • Strives to achieve positive outcomes for all sheltered animals. • Routinely works with rescue partners placing hundreds of animals each year. • Maintains high live animal outcome rate. • Follows State law regulating methods, procedures, and staff qualifications used in the process.
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8 Morro Bay Police Department • Recommendations
• Repeal and replace Title 7 (Animals) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code to adopt and incorporate by reference San Luis Obispo County Code Title 9 (Animals) and to retain certain city requirements regarding animals. 15