City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 2 October 13, 2026
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 3.10
DATE: October 13, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Kris Kokotaylo, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Waive Further Reading and Adopt an Ordinance of the City Council of Union City Amending Certain Sections of Title 8, “Animals” of the Union City Municipal Code to Update Regulations Pertaining to Vicious and Potentially Dangerous Dogs
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Union City Municipal Code (“UCMC”) Title 8, “Animals”, regulates, in part, the licensure of dogs and the abatement of vicious dogs. Staff has requested that these chapters be updated to give the City authority to deny a dog license based on a previously documented vicious or dangerous history outside City limits. The City Attorney’s Office prepared a draft ordinance to update the UCMC.
On June 1, 2026, the Legislation and Policy Committee considered the proposed revisions and recommended bringing an ordinance to the full City Council for consideration. The City Council introduced the proposed ordinance at its September 22, 2026 meeting.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This item is not directly related to the strategic plan.
BACKGROUND
An update to UCMC Title 8 “Animals” is necessary to authorize the City to deny a dog license based on previously documented vicious or dangerous behavior. Additional modifications in the proposed ordinance allow the City to impose heightened requirements on owners of dogs deemed vicious in other jurisdictions. At its September 22, 2026 meeting, the City Council unanimously waived full reading and introduced, by title only, an ordinance amending certain sections of UCMC Title 8, “Animals.” The City Council must now vote to adopt the ordinance.
Agenda Item No. 3.10
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 2 October 13, 2026
DISCUSSION
The proposed ordinance expands the grounds for denying or not renewing a dog license, including animal control violations and complaints that a dog may be dangerous or vicious. It also provides that a dog declared vicious in another jurisdiction is deemed vicious in the City and imposes additional requirements including insurance, muzzles, enclosures, and registration. Finally, it requires the City’s consent for transfer of ownership and notification to the City if the dog escapes or dies. The ordinance will take effect 30 days after the City Council adopts it.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact with adopting the proposed ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council waive further reading and adopt an ordinance to amend certain sections of UCMC Title 8, “Animals”, pertaining to vicious and potentially dangerous dogs.
Prepared by: Juliet Vaughn, Associate
Submitted by: Kristopher Kokotaylo, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Ordinance