This document outlines the procedure for collecting unpaid license and late fees from pet owners in Orange County. It states that license renewal payments received after the 15th day of the renewal month are considered delinquent and a late fee is assessed. It also notes that per a county counsel opinion, accumulated dog license fees cannot be forgiven from year to year and must be collected before a dog can be licensed. The procedure details the steps taken to collect unpaid fees, including notices sent to pet owners, potential fee adjustments, and eventual referral to auditors or field officers for collection if fees remain unpaid.

1. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 500.07
SUBJECT: COLLECTION OF UNPAID LICENSE AND LATE FEES Page: 1
Date: 3/19/01
Approved: Jennifer Phillips Revised: 11/14//06
I. PURPOSE
To establish a procedure for processing pet licenses when all licensing requirements have been met but
the payment arrived after the due date.
II. POLICY
Payment of the license renewal is due on the tag expiration date. Payments postmarked or
received after the fifteenth day of the renewal month are considered delinquent and the
applicable late fee (See P&P 600.20 Fee Schedule) is assessed. The Director or his/her
designee may adjust the late fee if it is determined that the pet owner has made a reasonable
effort to comply with the deadline, as allowed by Orange County Codified Ordinance Sec. 4-1-
72 Pet License Renewal. The code of a late fee is “L”.
The pet owner will pay all accumulated license fees when an expired Vac Cert or License exists
or it is determined that dog is over four months of age and is residing in our licensing
jurisdiction in excess of 15 days. Per County Counsel Opinion No. 2005-002, there is no
“forgiveness” of accumulated dog license fees from year to year and must be collected before
his or her dog can be licensed.
III. SCOPE
This procedure is applicable to all personnel involved in the sale of pet license renewals.
IV. FORMS
Non-Compliance Form F272-12.2053.4 (R 11/96)
Licensing Return Envelope F272-29.6
Pet License Renewal Notice
Pet License Delinquent Notice
Chameleon Receipt
Cashbox Closing Report
Pet License Form
Field Services Activities Report (Officer’s Log)
V. REFERENCES
Orange County Codified Ordinance Title 4, Art. 4, Sec. 4-1-72, Dog License Renewal

2. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 500.07
SUBJECT: COLLECTION OF UNPAID LICENSE AND LATE FEES Page: 2
Date: 3/19/01
Approved: Jennifer Phillips Revised: 11/14//06
California Health and Safety Code Sec.121690, Rabies Vaccination
County Counsel Opinion No. 2005-002
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Collection.
1. License Fee.
a. Applies to the expired license or vac cert record.
b. Generate a “Pending” or “Temporary” license per P&P 500.03, Issuing New
Pet Licenses.
2. Late Fee.
a. Generate a “Pending” or “Temporary” license per P&P 500.03, Issuing New
Pet Licenses.
b. For Animal Control Officers (ACO) or Animal Control Service Representatives
(ACSR), a fifteen (15) day Notice to Comply is mailed or given to the pet
owner/custodian.
B. When Payment is Received.
1. License Fee is applied to the oldest license record.
2. License Fee and Late Fee.
a. For ACOs and ACSRs, refer to Sections A.1, Manual Completion of P&P
500.03, Issuing New Pet License or P&P 500.05, Renewal License.
b. For Clerical staff, refer to Sections A.2, Chameleon Completion of P&P
500.03, Issuing New Pet License or P&P 500.05, Renewal License and P&P
500.04 Clearing Incomplete Licenses.
3. When Payment is Not Received Thirty-Five (35) days after Initial Notification:
a. A Final Notice to Comply Notification is mailed to the pet owner/custodian.
b. The pet owner is given fifteen (15) days to comply.
4. When Payment is Not Received Thirty (30) days after Final Notification:

3. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 500.07
SUBJECT: COLLECTION OF UNPAID LICENSE AND LATE FEES Page: 3
Date: 3/19/01
Approved: Jennifer Phillips Revised: 11/14//06
a. Record is submitted to the designated Licensing Billing Specialist to initiate
billing for accumulated years and late fees.
b. Licensing Billing Specialist:
1) Provides a breakdown of fees owed.
2) Gives the pet owner fifteen (15) days to comply.
3) Determines if follow up is made by telephone or through ACO to
collect license, late and Non-compliance fees.
4) Initiates an activity for Field Services to collect fees and/or issue a
citation.
5) After seven (7) days, if there is no license compliance, initiates a memo
for Auditor Control to collect fees.
5. Correspondence Received Without Payment:
a. A request for an adjustment of the late fee is based on the owner/custodian’s
payment history and the circumstances for the late payment.
1) If the late fee is adjusted:
a) The ACO or ACSR notates on the Pet License Form that the
late fee is adjusted and who approved it.
b) Clerical staff: the clerical supervisor is authorized to adjust
late fees only. Upon approval, create a Chameleon Animal
Memo stating the date, approved by, the reason, and specific
instructions to the pet owner and staff initials.
2) If the late fee is not adjusted, collection proceeds as step A.1.