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Woodbury ends dog licensing requirement; ordinance amends City Code chapter 5 effective Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2,070 to end the city's dog‑licensing program, keeping rabies vaccination requirements in place; staff estimated lost license revenue of about $20,000 and said the change would free staff 219–439 hours per two‑year licensing cycle.
The Woodbury City Council on Oct. 22 adopted Ordinance 2,070, amending City Code Chapter 5 to remove the city's dog‑licensing requirement. The ordinance will take effect Jan. 1, 2026; current dog licenses will be allowed to expire Dec. 31, 2025 and the city will not require renewals or new licenses for the 2026–27 license year and beyond.
Ashley Bednar, identified in the meeting as the city’s community relations specialist, presented staff’s review of the licensing program and the recommended change. Bednar said the city currently issues two‑year dog licenses, requires proof of rabies vaccination at licensing and issues a metal dog tag and a vinyl vehicle window sticker used at the dog park. She presented data showing a long‑term decline in license compliance and noted changes in pet‑identification practices (microchips), expanded use of social media to reunite lost pets, and data‑privacy concerns because license applications are public records.
Bednar told the council staff estimate the 2026 preliminary budget projected roughly $20,000 in revenue from licensing that would not be realized if the licensing program ended, but that the city would save material costs (tags and stickers) and significant staff time. Staff estimated that issuing licenses consumes roughly 219–439 staff hours over a two‑year licensing cycle; ending the program would free that time for other priorities. The ordinance retains the city’s rabies vaccination requirement for dogs over six months of age and preserves animal control enforcement authority and nuisance provisions.
Council discussion was supportive. Members noted the decline in compliance and the practicality of microchips and other tools for reuniting lost animals. Council and staff also discussed administrative follow‑up: staff will communicate the change to residents, allow existing licenses to run through Dec. 31, 2025, and reflect the revenue removal in a 2026 budget amendment. The ordinance passed by roll call (ayes from Santini, Stafford, Wilson, Morris and Mayor Burt).
Officer Nicole Morosella from public safety was present and staff said the public safety department will continue to enforce animal control and nuisance codes; the licensing change does not eliminate enforcement authority.
