Carriage Horse License—Requirements and Regulations

SEA-MC tit. 6, subtit. IV, ch. 6.315, subch. III

in effect

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 6.315, subch. III, § 6.315.200 Carriage horse license—Application.

6.315.200 - Carriage horse license—Application. A. Application for a carriage horse license shall be made in writing, signed by the applicant, or if such applicant is a partnership, corporation or other legal entity, by its duly authorized agent, upon forms provided by the Director. Applicants for a carriage horse license must be either applicants for or have a license issued for a for-hire horse-drawn carriage. B. The carriage horse license application shall include the following information: 1. The name, business address and phone number of the applicant; 2. The name, breed, sex, age, weight, and the permanent form of identification of the horse; 3. The name, address and telephone number of the horse's veterinarian; 4. A certificate of health issued within the last three months from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the horse sought to be licensed is fit to draw a horse-drawn carriage; 5. Proof of current vaccinations including but not limited to tetanus, rabies, equine influenza, West Nile virus, and Eastern/Western encephalomyelitis. Proof may be in the form of a health certificate from a veterinarian indicating the vaccinations administered; or if administered by someone other than a veterinarian in accordance with state or local law, by certificate signed under penalty of perjury by the person administering such vaccinations, indicating the vaccinations administered; 6. Photograph(s) taken within three months of the application of front, rear and both sides of the horse including identifying markings and/or the permanent form of identification of the horse sought to be licensed; and 7. A copy of the applicant's for-hire horse-drawn carriage license or application. (Ord. 123865, § 3, 2012; Ord. 118443, § 1(part), 1996.)

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 6.315, subch. III, § 6.315.210 Carriage horse—Standards for license denial.

6.315.210 - Carriage horse—Standards for license denial. A. The Director shall deny any carriage horse license application if the Director determines that: 1. A complete application that meets the standards of Section 6.315.200 has not been submitted; 2. The application contains any material misstatement or omission; 3. If a prior carriage horse license was suspended and the suspension has not been terminated or the reasons for the suspension cured; 4. Within one (1) year prior to the date of application, the applicant had its City of Seattle for-hire carriage horse license revoked and not reinstated; or 5. The applicant fails to obtain a for-hire horse-drawn carriage license or the for-hire horse-drawn carriage license application is denied. B. The Director shall deny a license by written notice indicating the reason for denial. Such notice shall be delivered either personally or by first class mail to the applicant at the address provided by the applicant on the license application. (Ord. 118443, § 1(part), 1996.)

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 6.315, subch. III, § 6.315.220 Carriage horse—Operating requirements and responsibilities.

6.315.220 - Carriage horse—Operating requirements and responsibilities. No carriage horse licensed by the City may lawfully be used to draw a for-hire horse-drawn carriage within the City of Seattle unless the following minimum requirements are met: A. Each carriage horse used for drawing a for-hire horse-drawn carriage shall be distinguishable by a permanent form of identification such as a brand, lip tattoo, microchip or any other easily identifiable permanent form of identification approved by the Director (Suspension and Class B). B. A carriage horse used in drawing a for-hire horse-drawn carriage must: 1. Be appropriately shod on all four feet and not have any loose shoes. Shoes which are designed to prevent slipping and absorb shock shall be utilized when working on paved surfaces. A horse that loses a shoe or is not appropriately shod shall be immediately taken out of service until such time the problem is cured (Suspension and Class B); 2. Not have any open wound, oozing sore, cut below skin level, bleeding wound or severe chafing (Suspension and Class B); 3. Have good flesh and adequate muscle tone, which the Director shall determine by use of the Henneke Scale or other appropriate method of equine evaluation (Suspension and Class B); 4. Not have any evidence of lameness, such as but not limited to irregular rhythm (Suspension and Class B); 5. Not work longer than ten hours per day in any 24 hour period nor more than five consecutive days in any seven day period (Class B); 6. Be properly cleaned and groomed with no caked dirt or mud and not have any offensive odor other than an odor normally associated with a horse that is clean, healthy and well groomed (Class A); 7. Not work in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit (Class B); 8. Wear an equine diaper to contain all fecal droppings while drawing a for-hire horse-drawn carriage or walking the horse on public property (Class B); and 9. Have a current West Nile virus vaccination. C. Each carriage horse licensed under this chapter must have a veterinary examination at least semiannually, and evidence of such examination shall be made available to the Director upon request (Class B). D. The owner of each carriage horse licensed under this chapter shall permit an inspection of a carriage horse's living conditions wherever the horse is domiciled or stabled regardless of location and/or jurisdiction (Suspension and Class B). E. Horses must be provided with sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitation and space necessary for the good health of the animal and must be provided medical care that is necessary for its health or to alleviate pain (Suspension and Class B). F. If a carriage horse license has been suspended pursuant to subsection 6.315.220.B.2-4 the horse must be cleared for work via an examination by a veterinarian of the city's choosing and a report of such examination provided to the Director. (Ord. 123865, § 4, 2012; Ord. 118443, § 1(part), 1996.)

Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.315HOAWCAHODR_SUBCHAPTER_IIICAHOLIEQREFetched: 11/1/2026