City of Yelm updates Municipal Code language to crack down on sales of animals in city limits

As the City of Yelm attempts to crack down on backyard breeders and the sale of animals within city limits at any public property or upon private property open to the public within the city limits of Yelm, Yelm City Council unanimously voted to approve changes to Yelm Municipal Code.

Yelm City Council discussed Yelm Municipal Code chapter 6.08, which is tied to animal regulations within Yelm city limits. According to the code, the purpose of Chapter 6.08 is to regulate the keeping of dogs, cats and other pet animals within the city.

Additionally, chapter 6.08.080 specifically prohibits the sale of animals, stating that, “that no person shall display, sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, dispose or advertise the ability of an animal upon any public property or upon private property open to the public within the city limits of Yelm.”

Additionally, it reads that no person shall “allow the display, sale, delivery, offering for sale, barter, auction, disposal, or advertisement of the ability of an animal upon private property open to the public under their control within the city limits of Yelm.”

Public property includes, and is not limited to, any city-owned real property, air space, or other interest in real estate, including streets, roads, alleys or other public rights-of-way that are owned or controlled by the City of Yelm.

Private property open to the public includes, but is not limited to, any parking lot, sidewalk and empty lot within the Yelm city limits.
This section of the municipal code does not apply to the sale of an animal that occurs on private property that isn’t open to the public, legally permitted pet shops or kennels, or at or through any humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other nonprofit organizations committed to the welfare of animals.

The full code can be viewed online at https://tinyurl.com/YelmCodeAnimals.

According to Chris Vaccaro, Yelm building official, these code updates have been seen before – however, new language has been added.

“As far as selling animals on property, we’ve added some code language that allows us to fine repeat offenders,” Vaccaro said. “We’ve also added some language that regulates what types of animals people can keep in the city, and regulates farm animals as well.”
Councilor Tracey Wood asked Vaccaro for some clarification regarding the changes.

“We haven’t really changed anything since we last met,” Vaccaro said. “We just added the legal language that defines the penalties for repeating to do so. The first time, you get warned. The second time, there’s a fine. The third time, it’s a higher fine and you could get arrested for continuing to violate that.”

Woods asked if what’s specifically being referenced is people selling animals alongside the road in Yelm city limits. Vaccaro said yes, and that it’s often on other people’s property as well.

Councilor Stephanie Kangiser said in chapter 6.08.080 there’s a mention of a 48-hour hold, but also indication of a 96-hour hold. She sought some clarification on what the desired time length of a hold should be.

Vaccaro said that’s old existing code, and that the City of Yelm intends to look at it and amend it to make sure it’s uniform. Kangiser also asked Vaccaro about a point regarding implanting a microchip, and asked if it’s necessary in code. He told the councilor that isn’t something the city does, and that it’s another point that will be amended.

Kangiser moved to amend the motion on the floor in two segments, including changing Yelm municipal code chapter 6.08.080 sections G and J1 to state a 48-hour hold, along with a second amendment to strike chapter 6.08.080 section I regarding a microchip implementation.

Yelm City Council unanimously passed the motion.