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Council introduces ordinance changing dog‑license renewal to 12‑month term and adds tiered late fees, with online registration planned
Summary
The council introduced Ordinance No. 25‑1757 to change dog‑license renewals from a single July 1 expiration to a 12‑month renewal tied to individual registration and to replace a flat 50% late penalty with a tiered late fee schedule; the changes enable implementation of DocuPet online licensing.
The Norwalk City Council on June 16 introduced by title Ordinance No. 25‑1757 to amend Norwalk Municipal Code sections 6.16.03 and 6.16.04, changing dog‑license renewal terms and establishing a tiered late fee structure to support a new online licensing system.
Jennifer Hernandez, a senior analyst in the finance department, told the council the current code requires all dog licenses to expire annually on July 1, which created proration confusion and overlapping renewal periods. The proposed amendment removes the July 1 deadline and replaces the single‑date system with a 12‑month renewal period tied to the date of registration. It also replaces the current flat 50% penalty for late renewal with tiered late fees: for example, an altered (spayed/neutered) dog license currently set at $30 would carry a $5 late fee at 31–60 days overdue, $10 at 61–90 days, and 50% ($15) after 90 days.
Hernandez said the city is implementing DocuPet, an online pet licensing platform that supports online registration, reunification tools for lost pets and more accessible renewal. Staff are conducting a soft launch of the DocuPet system and will return to council to present the implementation and the software’s capabilities.
Councilors asked operational questions including how owners will notify the city if a pet dies (staff said DocuPet allows owners to report that they no longer have a dog and, depending on timing, may be eligible for a refund) and how enforcement and canvassing would be used to increase compliance. Council Member Ramirez asked staff to consider incentives to encourage registration and canvassing to contact non‑registered owners; staff said the city previously used canvassing programs and could resume them.
The council introduced the ordinance by title and voted in favor; additional implementation details, fees and an ordinance adoption hearing will follow.
