Richland County, SC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned examples
- Primates, venomous reptiles, wolf hybrids, bears, raccoons
- Big snakes named
- Reticulated, Burmese, Indian, African pythons; anacondas
- Catch-all clause
- Any animal whose size/behavior threatens public safety
- Exceptions
- Zoos, licensed circuses, vet hospitals, permitted rescues
- Enforcement
- Seizure under § 5-14, no bite required
Summary
Richland County bans keeping a long list of wild and dangerous animals as pets. Section 5-13(a) prohibits nonhuman primates, venomous reptiles, wolf-dog hybrids, big constricting snakes, and more, with narrow exceptions for zoos, licensed circuses, veterinary hospitals, and permitted wildlife rescue organizations.
Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for a person to publicly display or exhibit, sell, keep, harbor, own, or act as custodian of: (1) Non-domestic members of the cat family (Felidae); (2) Wolf-dog hybrids, and/or a animal containing any percentage of wolf; ... (6) Nonhuman primates which include apes, monkeys, baboons, macaques, lemurs, marmosets, tamarins, and other species of the order primates (Haplorrhini); ... (11) Venomous reptiles; ... (16) Other animals where its behavior, size, temperament, breed, or capacity for inflicting serious injury is or may be detrimental to the health, welfare, or safety of people or animals in the immediate surrounding area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-24: This supplement is current through Ordinance No. 033-25HR).
Full Breakdown
" Subsection (b) lists four situations where those prohibitions don't apply: a public zoo, bona fide education or medical institution, humane society, or museum keeping the animals as live specimens for instruction or research; a licensed traveling circus, carnival, or exhibit with proper permits; a licensed veterinary hospital providing treatment; and a wildlife rescue organization holding appropriate federal, state, or local licenses and permits. Outside those four carve-outs, simply owning or harboring a prohibited species anywhere in unincorporated Richland County is itself the violation, regardless of whether the animal has bitten anyone or caused any complaint.
Violations & Fines
Owning, keeping, or displaying a Section 5-13(a) animal without qualifying for one of the four exceptions in subsection (b) is a standalone Chapter 5 violation; an Animal Care Officer can seize the animal under Section 5-14's search-and-seizure authority even before any bite or injury occurs. Repeat or aggravated cases can also be charged alongside the county's dangerous-or-vicious-animal and nuisance provisions in Sections 5-7 and 5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet raccoon or bat in unincorporated Richland County?
Are venomous snakes illegal to own in Richland County?
What if my exotic pet hasn't hurt anyone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
Compare Richland County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.