Rock Hill, SC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Rock Hill incorporates South Carolina's statewide leash and at-large framework into Chapter 6, Article II (Pets) of the City Code. Section 6-31 defines 'at large' as a domestic or domesticated animal off the property of its owner and not under physical restraint or control of the owner or keeper by means of a leash, cage, or other effective device which restrains and controls the animal, and defines 'restrain' as keeping a dog under the immediate physical control of a person capable of restraining the animal by collar and leash, or by passive means of control such as a fence, kennel, or other confinement device. The South Carolina Dog and Cat Sterilization Act and the broader S.C. Code Title 47, Chapter 3 supply the state-level rule: under S.C. Code § 47-3-50 it is unlawful for an owner of a dog or cat to allow the animal to run at large beyond the premises of the person who owns, has custody of, or controls the animal, with a $50 fine for a first offense and up to $100 for subsequent violations. Dogs four months and older must be currently vaccinated against rabies and wear a tag, as required by York County rules and S.C. Department of Health rabies regulations. Enforcement inside Rock Hill is shared between Rock Hill Police, Rock Hill Animal Control, and York County Animal Services (713 Justice Boulevard, York), which provides the County shelter and accepts at-large pickups. Owners reclaiming animals must show current rabies vaccination or a rabies tag and pay impound and boarding fees.