CITY OF SAN MATEO
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 16 Section Name: NEW BUSINESS Account Number: 10-5112 File ID: 25-10433 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Police Department
MEETING DATE: October 06, 2025
SUBJECT:
Animal Control Amendments — Ordinance Introduction
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduce an Ordinance amending San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 8.02 "Animal Control" and adding Chapter 8.34 “Animal Fanciers Permit” to maintain enforceability and alignment with San Mateo County's Animal Control Ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
Animal control is one of the longest running regional/shared services in San Mateo County. Since 1952, the County of San Mateo has contracted with the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) for animal control field and sheltering services. All 20 cities in the County have in turn contracted with the County for these services. The contract with the County includes an expectation that each City will adopt and maintain an animal control Ordinance which is substantially the same as the San Mateo County Ordinance.
San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 8.02 contains regulations regarding animal control in the City of San Mateo.
Substantial updates were made to Chapter 8.02 in 2024, to ensure conformity with the County Ordinance. Recently staff became aware that sections of Chapter 8.02 were inadvertently repealed in conjunction with the 2024 update. The repealed sections were maintained in a different part of the County’s code, and it was not expressly communicated that these sections needed to be retained in order to maintain uniformity. The key provisions to be amended/added back to Chapter 8.02 include:
Spaying & Neutering
Breeding Permits
Keeping of Dogs and Cats
Sale or Adoption of Cats and Dogs
Revocation of Permit
Penalty for Violation
Responsibility for Enforcement
In addition to the amendments in Chapter 8.02, it is recommended Chapter 8.34 be added to the San Mateo Municipal Code regarding Animal Fancier Permits. This new chapter will be consistent with the County Code and sets forth the permit conditions and inspection requirements for those individuals who wish to keep a number of dogs or cats in excess of the number typically allowed (which is any combination of 5 dogs or cats).
In order to enforce regulations regarding spay and neuter laws, the number of animals that may be kept in homes, the breeding of animals with permits, etc., staff recommends introduction of the Ordinance (Attachment 1) to provide consistency and maintain the City’s interest in continuing to partner with the County for animal control services.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
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BUDGET IMPACT:
No budget impact is anticipated as a result of this action.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This action is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that it will not cause a physical change in the environment. (Public Resources Code Section 21065.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Ordinance
Att 2 – Proposed Ordinance – Track Changes
STAFF CONTACT
Ed Barberini, Chief of Police
[email protected]
(650) 522-7600
Glen Teixeira, Lieutenant
[email protected]
(650) 522-7608