Richland County, SC Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cats covered
- Yes, as 'pets' (Sec. 5-2)
- License/vaccinate
- Every cat over 4 months
- Tag
- Must be worn at all times
- New residents
- 30 days to license
- Cat leash law
- None countywide
Summary
In unincorporated Richland County, cats are treated as pets under the animal ordinance: every cat over four months old must have a current county pet license and rabies vaccination, and must wear its tag. New residents get 30 days to license. There is no countywide cat leash law.
A pet owner must have his pet inoculated against rabies at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Richland County's Sec. 5-2 defines 'pet' to mean a domestic dog and/or domestic cat, so cats fall squarely under the county's licensing and vaccination scheme. It is unlawful for the owner or custodian of a pet over four months of age to fail to obtain a current county pet license, and no license is issued without proof of a current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian. Durable, numbered county tags stamped with the year must be worn by all pets in the unincorporated county at all times. Owners or custodians who move into the unincorporated area have thirty calendar days to obtain the license.
Violations & Fines
Failing to license or vaccinate a cat over four months, or to keep its tag on, is unlawful under Sec. 5-2 and enforced by Richland County Animal Services with fines and impoundment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to license my indoor cat?
Is there a leash law for cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
Compare Richland County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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