Anderson County, SC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned animals
- Non-domesticated, non-native carnivores
- Exceptions
- State permit or USDA Class A/B/C license
- County permits limited to
- Zoos, circuses, research/breeding institutions
- Insurance minimum
- $50,000.00 liability coverage
- Illegal possession outcome
- Confiscation; euthanized, released, or disposed
- Governing section
- Sec. 4-4(f)
Summary
Anderson County bans keeping any carnivore that is not normally domesticated and not native to South Carolina, such as lions, tigers, or wolves, unless the owner holds a state permit or a USDA Class A, B, or C license. Sec. 4-4(f) governs, and county-issued permits are limited to zoos, circuses, and research or breeding institutions.
No carnivores which are both normally not domesticated and not native or indigenous to the state may be owned, possessed, harbored or kept in any manner in the county, except pursuant to a permit issued by the state; or pursuant to a Class A, Class B, or Class C license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, under 7 USC 2131—2157 and 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(g), authorizing operation as a breeder, dealer, exhibitor or operator of an auction sale; or as otherwise provided by state law, including, but not limited to, S.C. Code 1976, § 50-11-2400 et seq. Such permits to be issued by the county animal control department will be issued for valid zoological parks; for transit circuses, carnivals, fairs and the like; or for research or breeding by governmental or educational agencies or institutions. Any application for such permit must be accompanied by proof of liability insurance of at least $50,000.00 insuring the owner, custodian or other keeper of such carnivore for personal injuries inflicted by the carnivore controlled pursuant to this section, which must be maintained in force, effective throughout the permit period.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. S. C. Code 1976 § 50-11-2400 et seq. Anyone with a federal permit must file a copy with the county animal control office. 00 in liability insurance covering injuries the animal causes, maintained for the entire permit period. Sec. 4-5(f) governs what happens to an illegally kept carnivore: county animal control or an assisting law enforcement officer confiscates it, and the animal control department decides, case by case, whether to euthanize it, release it to the wild, or otherwise humanely dispose of it.
Violations & Fines
Possessing a prohibited carnivore violates Sec. 4-4(f) and is a misdemeanor under Sec. 4-6(a). Beyond criminal charges, Sec. 4-5(f) authorizes animal control to confiscate the animal outright, and the county then euthanizes it, releases it to the wild, or otherwise disposes of it humanely, at animal control's discretion based on the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a tiger, wolf, or other exotic carnivore in Anderson County?
Are there any legal exceptions to the exotic-carnivore ban?
What happens if county animal control finds someone illegally keeping a wild carnivore?
Does this rule cover animals like exotic snakes or non-carnivorous exotics?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anderson County
Compare Anderson County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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