On July 8, 2009, the City Council adopted Ordinance 5718, amending Albany Municipal Code 6.04.015(2), allowing for exceptions to the limit of two adult dogs permitted on any property within the Albany city limits. The ordinance allows for any person, family, or business to keep more than two (2) adult dogs, but not more than four (4) dogs, if all of the criteria in the ordinance are met. The full text of Albany Municipal Code 6.04.010 and 6.04.015(2) is below.
Who needs to apply?
Any person, family, or business wishing to keep more than two (2) dogs, but not more than four (4) dogs, at one address.
How to apply for a permit?
- Fill out an application (and be sure to list everyone residing at your address who is over age 18):
- Return your application online, or to:
Albany Police Department
2600 Pacific Boulevard SW
Albany, OR 97321 - Pay the $50 non-refundable fee (cash or credit/debit only) by calling the Albany Police Department at 541-917-7680.
When will I receive my permit?
The Albany Police Department will run a background check on all applicants over the age of 18. Once you have been approved to receive your exception permit, you will be mailed or emailed your approved permit.
What do I do now that I have an exception permit?
Once you have your exception permit, you must have it available should an officer come to your property for a call of any kind. Failure to have your exception permit available upon request may result in a citation. If you lose your permit, you can obtain a printed copy from the police department. Standard copy charges will apply.
Helpful links
AMC 6.04.010 Dog License Required.
- Any person, family, or business owning or keeping a dog which has a set of permanent canine teeth or is six months old, whichever comes first, shall license said dog(s) pursuant to the ordinances and/or regulations of the county wherein the dog is kept.
- The license tag supplied by the county shall be attached securely to a collar or harness on the dog whenever the dog is outdoors and not contained within a fenced yard, enclosed pen, or by a chain on the property of the owner.”
AMC 6.04.015
- Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no person, family, or business shall keep more than two dogs past the age of six months on any property within the City except within a kennel which has been approved in accordance with the City of Albany Development Code regulations. For purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed to be “kept” by any adult person who resides at the property on which the dog(s) is housed or maintained. A dog shall not be deemed “kept” if it is being temporarily cared for and is licensed to a third-party who is not a resident of the household.
- Any person, family, or business wishing to keep more than two (2) dogs past the age of six (6) months as an exception to section (1) above may apply for a permit to do so and shall be issued a permit allowing the keeping of not more than four (4) if all of the following criteria are met:
- The applicant has fully completed an application in a form provided by the City Manager and/or his/her designee for that purpose; and
- The applicant has provided proof that all of the applicant’s adult dogs are fully licensed by the county of the applicant’s residence; and
- Neither the applicant, nor any person residing with the applicant have been convicted of the violation of any ordinance, code, or regulation, concerning the care, possession, maintenance, or control of an animal within five (5) years prior to the application; and
- The applicant has paid a fee of $50.
- The exception provided for in Section (2) shall be revoked without the need for any administrative or judicial action in the event that the exemption holder or any person residing with the exception holder is or has been convicted of any violation of any animal control regulation of the City of Albany or Linn or Benton counties, or any other unit of government.
- The exception to the two-dog limit set forth in subsection (2) above shall be valid for a period of three (3) years, after which a new application shall be required in the event that applicant wishes to continue the exemption.
- The exemption provided for herein may be revoked at any time by the City Manager or his/her designee upon a finding that the exemption holder is no longer eligible for the exemption under the criteria set forth herein. The City Manager shall provide the permit exemption holder with a written notification of the grounds for revocation of the exemption and give the exemption holder an opportunity to be heard orally or in writing upon such reasonable terms as the City Manager may proscribe. The decision of the City Manager shall be final.
