If it's like my city, my city just made it where a household can have up to 5 dogs before having to apply for a kennel license and pay license fees. They're just after the money that the license will generate. AND you'll have to have certain things such as kennel areas with certain specs and so on. They're probably not telling you that you CAN'T own more than 3 dogs unless you're breeding them, they're just saying that MOST people that own more than 3 dogs ARE breeding them and should have the dogs housing areas kept to a certain condition level. Their housing areas will probably be subject to inspections however so be ready for that. You should be able to call the Humane Society or the Animal Control offices in your city to find out about the requirements for people that have more than the allowed 3 animals and where to get the application for the "kennel" license.
This type of ordinance is going into effect all over the country. More or less it's to help stop the hoarders and collectors from collecting their animals and not taking care of them the way they need to be taken care of. It requires the owners to keep the animals vaccinations up to date, seek veternarian care when needed, keep their housing units clean and tidy at all times due to the unannounced inspections that can mean seizure of your animals if your facility doesn't meet the legal requirements.
Fear not, just ask the right questions.
