Orangeburg County, SC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban effective date
- December 7, 2009
- Governing sections
- § 4-61 (definition), § 4-103 (ban)
- Examples covered
- Lions, wolves, coyotes, alligators, great apes
- Grandfather exception
- Pre-12/7/2009 continuous possession
- Enforcing agency
- Orangeburg County Animal Control Department
- Penalty
- $250-$500 fine or 30-90 days
Summary
Unincorporated Orangeburg County has banned exotic creatures outright since December 7, 2009. Chapter 4 defines 'exotic creatures' to include big cats, bears, wolves, coyotes, crocodilians, monitors and similar zoo animals, and Sec. 4-103 makes it unlawful to bring or keep one in the county unless a keeper proves continuous possession before that date.
Exotic creatures refers to the following creatures: (1)General description. Any type of carnivore that, by reason of inherent, natural propensities of the type of creature, poses a threat of serious bodily injury to a human. ... (2)Specific creatures deemed exotic. Exotic creatures is a category that includes, but is not limited to the following: lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, snow leopards, clouded leopards, and other wild cats; bears, wolves, coyotes, jackals, and canine hybrids of same; crocodiles, alligators, and similar carnivores; monitors; those types of snakes that fit the foregoing general description of exotic creature; and those creatures which, when in captivity in the United States, have traditionally been confined in zoos. ... As of December 7, 2009, no person shall bring or maintain an exotic creature within the boundaries of the county. If a keeper cannot prove that the exotic creature was kept on a permanent basis within the boundaries of the county prior to December 7, 2009, the keeper's violation shall be known as threat to public health - harboring exotic creature.
Full Breakdown
Sec. zoos. C. Department of Natural Resources, and great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans) for the same ban, while animals 'traditionally associated with agriculture' are expressly carved out. Sec. ' Enforcement runs through the county Animal Control Department: Sec. 4-103(b) directs the department to issue a ticket for the violation but does not obligate an ACO to seize the animal on the spot. Because harboring an exotic creature is a chapter 4 violation like any other, the general penalty schedule in Sec. 00 or 90 days for a repeat.
The ban covers the unincorporated county only, plus any municipality that has adopted Chapter 4 and signed the county's standard enforcement agreement under Sec. 4-85.
Violations & Fines
Harboring an exotic creature is charged as 'threat to public health - harboring exotic creature' under Sec. 4-103(a). Animal control issues a ticket rather than automatically seizing the animal (Sec. 4-103(b)); a conviction on the resulting ordinance summons carries the chapter's standard fine of $250.00 or 30 days' imprisonment for a first offense, $500.00 or 90 days for a repeat (Sec. 4-242).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own a wolf or a large constrictor snake in unincorporated Orangeburg County?
Are farm animals treated as exotic creatures?
What happens if animal control finds someone keeping a banned exotic creature?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orangeburg County
Compare Orangeburg County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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