AN ORDINANCE relating to the Parks Department, establishing offleash areas for pets in City of Seattle Parks; and amending Seattle Municipal Code Sections 18.12.030 and 18.12.080 therefor.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Subsection A of Section 18.12.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code (Ordinance 106615, Section 3, as amended by Ordinance 113436, Section 1) is further amended as follows:

18.12.030 Definitions -Rules of construction.

A. Unless clearly inconsistent with the context in which used, the following definitions apply:

1. "Aquarium" means a facility with artificial habitats containing aquatic or other forms of life for purposes of research, recreation, conservation, education, or viewing.

2. "At large" means a dog or other animal inside the City of Seattle, off the premises of the owner, and not under control by adequate leash.

3. 2. "Camp" means to remain overnight, to erect a tent or other shelter, or to use sleeping equipment, a vehicle, or a trailer camper, for the purpose of or in such a way as will permit remaining overnight.

4. "Off-leash area" means an area designated in Section 18.12.080(b) where dogs, and no other animal, shall be allowed to run at large.

5. 3. "Park" means all parks and bodies of water contained therein, squares, drives, parkways, boule-vards, trails, golf courses, museums, aquaria, zoos, beaches, playgrounds, playfields, botanical gardens, greenbelts, and other park, recreation and open space areas and buildings and facilities comprising the parks and recreation system of the City under the management and control of the Superintendent.

6. 4. "Recreation program" means any program or activity conducted, sponsored, or assisted by the Depart-ment of Parks and Recreation, whether or not it occurs in a park.

7. 5. "Superintendent" means the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation of the City and authorized agents of the Superintendent.

8. 6. "Zoo" means a zoological garden where animals are kept for purposes of research, recreation, conservation, education or viewing.

9. 7. "Zoo exhibit" means an area in the Zoo reserved for the purpose of exhibiting Zoo animals.

10. Adequate Leash" means a leash of eight (8) feet in length or shorter.

Section 4 Section 18.12.080 of the Seattle Municipal Code (Ordinance 106615, Section 7(a), as amended by Ordinance 113436, Section 5) is further amended as follows:

18.12.080 Animals running at large prohibited.

A. Except as expressly allowed in subsection B hereof, I it is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog or other pet to run at large in any park, or to permit any dog or other pet with or without a leash, except Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear dogs or dogs used by public law enforcement agencies and under control of a law enforcement officer, to enter any public beach, swimming or wading area, pond, fountain, stream, or organized athletics area. The Superintendent may ban dogs and other pets, or a specific dog or other pet, from areas of any park where he or she determines the same may be a nuisance. Any person with a dog or other pet in his or her possession or under his or her control in any park shall be responsible for the conduct of the animal, shall carry equipment for removing feces, and shall place feces deposited by such animal in an appropriate receptacle.

B. A pilot off-leash program shall be established under the administration of Seattle Animal Control, a subdivision of the Department of Finance (Exhibit H attached). During a twelve (12) month period beginning thirty (30) days from the effective date of this ordinance, but not before installation of required kiosks, signage and fencing, where applicable, dogs may be allowed to run at large only in the following areas hereby designated as off-leash areas:

1. That portion of Genesee Park depicted on the attached Exhibit A;

2. That portion of Golden Gardens Park depicted on the attached Exhibit B;

3. That portion of Lower Woodland Park depicted on the attached Exhibit C;

4. That portion of Magnuson Park depicted on the attached Exhibit D;

5. That portion of Volunteer Park depicted on the attached Exhibit E;

6. That portion of Westcrest Park as depicted on the attached Exhibit F; and

7. That portion of the City's storm-water drainage-retention facility adjacent to I-90 Lid Park as depicted on the attached Exhibit G.

Any person who takes a dog into an off-leash area must have physical control of the dog by means of an adequate leash when entering and leaving the off-leash area and must maintain voice control over the dog at all times while in the off-leash area. All dogs in an off-leash area must be licensed and must display valid license tags attached to the dog collar. Vicious animals, as defined in Section 9.25.024(A) of this Code, are not permitted to use the off-leash areas.

C. Any person with a dog or other pet in his or her possession or under his or her control in any park shall be responsible and liable for the conduct of the animal, shall carry equipment for removing feces, and shall place feces deposited by such animal in an appropriate receptacle.

D. The Superintendent is authorized to close to off-leash dog use any area described under subsection B on a temporary or permanent basis if significant problems arise which cannot be resolved jointly by the Department of Parks and Recreation and Seattle Animal Control and if the Superintendent determines that such closure is necessary for the preservation and protection of the natural environment, public health or safety. Prior to closing any off-leash area, the Superintendent shall consult with the Director of the Department of Finance. The Superintendent shall state in writing his or her reasons for closure.

Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the _____ day of ____________, 1995, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________, 1996.

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President _______ of the City Council