ORDINANCE NO. 25-1757
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AMENDING NORWALK
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 6.16.030 AND 6.16.040 TO UPDATE
RENEWAL TERMS FOR DOG LICENSES
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that proper animal control, including up-to-date licensing and rabies vaccinations are essential for public health and safety; and WHEREAS, the current dog license renewal term limits flexibility in obtainment of dog licenses and associated penalty fees can pose challenges to ensuring all dogs are properly licensed and vaccinated; and
WHEREAS, an updated renewal term will provide greater consistency and coincide with new dog license procedures to provide for a more streamlined process for owners and reductions in administrative burdens with the potential to improve compliance rates.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1.The City Council of the City of Norwalk hereby finds and determines that all foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated as part of the City’s findings
Section 2.Section 6.16.030 entitled “Time Limit - License Fee” of the Norwalk Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
“At the time any owner obtains a dog over the age of four months, or moves into the City of Norwalk with a dog over the age of four months, owner shall obtain a dog license and pay an original license fee. The license shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and shall thereafter be renewed annually. All license renewal fees are due annually on the anniversary of the issuance of original dog license.”
Section 3.Section 6.16.040 entitled “Penalty Fees” of the Norwalk Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
“Any person who fails to pay the required dog license fee prior to the renewal date shall pay, in addition to the license fee, a penalty of up to 50% of the license fee.
Any person who fails to obtain a license within 30 days after acquiring any dog, or after moving into the City of Norwalk with any dog, or having any dog come into their care, custody or control shall pay, in addition to the license fee, a penalty fee of up to 50% of the license fee.
Ordinance No. 25-1757 Page 2 of 2
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All dog license penalty fees will be assessed based on the number of days overdue as listed below up to 50% of the cost of the dog license as listed in the City’s adopted User Fee Schedule:
31-60 days overdue
61-90 days overdue
90 days overdue”
Section 4.Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, of this Ordinance is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof, be declared invalid or unconstitutional. To this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable.
Section 5.This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its adoption. The City Clerk is directed to certify to the enactment of this Ordinance and to cause this ordinance to be published and/or posted as required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 1st day of July 2025. ______________________________
TONY AYALA
MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK