(1) All dogs over the age of six months shall be licensed. A license is valid for one year from the date of purchase, except that the County may establish a license for microchipped and spayed or neutered dogs that is valid for the life of the dog. A late penalty may be added if the owner fails to renew an expired license within 30 days of license expiration. There shall be a fee for replacement of any lost license tag. License fees may be paid to the Humane Society, a contractor, a “private” licensing outlet, or other outlet as designated by the Director. A service charge in addition to the regularly set fees may be collected and retained by all “private” licensing outlets designated by the Director for each dog license issued. Upon payment of the license fee, the licensing outlet shall give to the owner of such dog a license and metallic tag for each dog licensed and shall transmit the license form to the Animal Control Authority who shall maintain records of all licenses.

(2) All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall be dated and numbered, and shall bear the name of Clallam County, the name and address of the owner of the dog, and a description of the dog. A metallic tag bearing a serial number corresponding to the number of the license and the County or part thereof will be issued to the owner. If the owner presents proof that the dog is microchipped, the microchip number will be recorded on the license.

(3) It shall be the duty of every owner to attach the valid metallic license tag to the collar worn by his/her dog when the dog is off the owner’s property. A dog with permanent, readily scannable microchip identification shall not be required to wear a collar with the metallic license tag attached. Except that neither the County nor the animal shelter shall be liable for the failure of a scanner to detect the presence of a microchip.

(4) Upon the sale or other transfer of ownership of any dog, the dog shall be relicensed by the new owner.

(5) All license fees, late penalties, and service charges collected under the provisions of this section, other than civil penalties and criminal fines, are set forth in Chapter 5.100 CCC. The Animal Control Authority may, at its discretion, temporarily reduce license or other fees at special events or clinics held to encourage compliance with this chapter.

(6) Exceptions. Licenses are not required in the following circumstances: