Lancaster County, SC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Core rule
- No possession of exotic animals countywide
- Big cats
- All Felidae except domestic cats
- Canids
- Wolves, coyotes, jackals and hybrids restricted
- Reptiles
- Large monitors, crocodilians, any venomous reptile
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor fine/imprisonment under § 1-10
- Seizure
- Animal transferred to an out-of-county rescue
Summary
Lancaster County Code § 6-52 bans keeping, maintaining or possessing any exotic animal within unincorporated Lancaster County. Section 6-51 lists the covered species, including big cats, wolves, bears, hyenas, rhinoceroses, gorillas, elephants, large monitor lizards, crocodilians and any venomous reptile.
Exotic animal means those species of animals that are exotic to humans. Exotic animals include, but are not limited to:(1)Class Mammalia.a.Order Artiodactyla (only hippopotamuses and giraffes).b.Order Carnivora (only those specified below).1.Family Felidae [(all species except domestic cats) this includes lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, lynx, ocelots, servals]. ... (3)Any venomous reptile. ... It shall be unlawful to keep, maintain, or have in his or her possession or control within the unincorporated portion of Lancaster County any exotic animal as defined herein.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 6, Article III defines "exotic animal" in § 6-51 by class and family. Under Class Mammalia it covers hippopotamuses and giraffes; all Felidae except domestic cats, which includes lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, lynx, ocelots and servals; wolves, coyotes and jackals and their hybrids with domesticated dogs (with a grandfather clause for hybrids lawfully possessed before July 1, 2008, though sale or transfer is barred and any offspring must be moved outside the county after weaning); all bears; hyenas; rhinoceroses; gorillas; and elephants. Under Class Reptilia it covers water monitors and crocodile monitors, all crocodilians such as crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials, and, separately, any venomous reptile of any species.
" There is no permit or license path in this article that lets a resident lawfully keep a newly acquired exotic animal; the only accommodation in the chapter is the narrow, closed grandfather clause for pre-2008 wolf/coyote/jackal hybrids described above.
Violations & Fines
Violating the exotic animal ban is a misdemeanor under § 6-53, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment as set out in Lancaster County Code § 1-10 for each offense. Beyond the criminal penalty, § 6-53 gives animal control officers the authority to take immediate possession of an exotic animal found in violation and transfer it to a rescue group located outside Lancaster County, removing the animal from the county rather than leaving it with the owner pending prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally keep a big cat or a bear as a pet in unincorporated Lancaster County?
What happens to an exotic animal Lancaster County finds in a resident's possession?
Are venomous snakes banned as pets in Lancaster County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lancaster County
Compare Lancaster County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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