Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 07, 2024
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER INTRODUCING ORDINANCE NO. 24-2403 THAT WOULD AMEND SECTION 3301 (ADDITION TO ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE) OF CHAPTER 3 (POUND REGULATIONS) OF ARTICLE III (PUBLIC SAFETY) OF THE CARSON MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY AND UPDATE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY AND LEASHING OF DOGS IN PUBLIC PARKS (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The City of Carson has historically permitted service animals at its parks pursuant to City's policy against discrimination and harassment codified in Carson Municipal Code ("CMC") Sections 21100-21101. On November 7, 2018, the City Council approved Ordinance 18-1812 which amended CMC Section 3301 to restate and reaffirm an exception from the prohibition of dogs in public parks for service dogs pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Civil Code Sections 54.1 and 54.2 (Exhibit No. 2).
Since then, there has been some confusion among the public as to the scope of the exceptions from the City's general prohibition and the requirements for leashing of dogs in parks. The ordinance was intended to, and did, provide that dogs that are allowed in City parks pursuant to the exceptions to the City's general prohibition against dogs in parks (including service dogs under the ADA and California Civil Code Sections 54.1 and 54.2, as well as dogs approved for teaching uses by the Director of Community Services) must be leashed, to the extent consistent with the ADA (which places limits on the City's ability to require leashing of ADA service dogs in some circumstances). However, some people may have misinterpreted the ordinance as generally permitting dogs in City parks provided they are leashed.
To provide clarity, staff is requesting that the City Council review and approve Ordinance No. 24-2403 (Exhibit 1). It would modify CMC Section 3301 to further clarify, restate, and reaffirm:
(1) the general prohibition on dogs in City parks:
(2) the ...
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