The six dog rule

Can anyone help me? My neighbour recently complained to the council because I have 7 dogs living with me. She said that the dogs are too noisy, but they are actually really well behaved. I have now been told I need to apply for planning permission from the council to change the use of my house to 'commercial use' because there are more than 6 dogs here. The dogs are my pets, and I'm not running a business!

Has this ever happened to anyone else? I'd never heard of it before and I want to know more! 

Anon, via email