Fredericksburg council updates ordinances on carriages, solicitors and animal control

Fredericksburg City Council on Jan. 27 approved multiple ordinance updates intended to modernize local rules for downtown activity and public safety.

City staff brought forward ordinance 2601 to repeal an obsolete horse-drawn carriage rule (ordinance 5018). Staff explained the practical difficulty of running carriage operations on Main Street because TxDOT, not the city, controls that roadway. Council adopted the repeal by voice vote.

The council also approved ordinance 2602, revising the city's peddlers, solicitors and canvassers rules. A Police Department representative said the amendments add a photo-identification requirement on permits and clarify background-check standards, including a felony lookback and specified misdemeanor exclusions. The staff representative said religious organizations remain exempt from the permit requirement. Council asked staff to redesign the ID badge so solicitors do not appear to be city employees; staff said a new badge format and a quick-processing appointment system will be used.

Separately, council approved ordinance 2604 amending animal-control regulations and fees; staff said adoption fees for dogs and cats will rise by roughly $10 to $15 to offset increased veterinary costs. Staff also reviewed shelter intake data and the city's funding split with the county.

Councilors discussed the changes on the record and voted to pass the ordinances. The measures take effect according to the dates in each adopted ordinance or upon formal publication as required by city rules.

Council indicated staff would circulate the final, codified ordinance language and confirm implementation steps, including permit-processing procedures and public-notice materials.