South Carolina Code Title 47 Chapter 2 bans private possession of large wild cats (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, cheetahs, snow leopards, clouded leopards), non-native bears, and great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans) statewide, with grandfathering only for animals registered before January 1, 2018. Rock Hill Chapter 6 supplements the state ban with local nuisance and dangerous-animal authority.
The South Carolina Large Wild Cat, Non-Native Bear, and Great Ape Act (S.C. Code Β§Β§ 47-2-10 to 47-2-160) makes it unlawful for a person to possess, own, sell, transfer, breed, or otherwise acquire any large wild cat, non-native bear, or great ape, with a narrow grandfather clause for animals registered with local animal-control authorities before January 1, 2018. Grandfathered owners must pay $500 per site and $100 per animal annually, maintain veterinary records and microchip identification, file an escape contingency plan, and meet federal Animal Welfare Act standards. Section 47-2-150 expressly authorizes counties and municipalities to adopt ordinances more restrictive than the state chapter. The City of Rock Hill has not enacted a separate exotic-animal chapter that overlays the state ban, but the City retains authority under Chapter 6 to cite owners whose exotic or wild animals create a public nuisance or fit the dangerous-animal definition in Β§ 6-31. South Carolina venomous-snake possession is regulated under S.C. Code Β§ 50-15-10 et seq. (non-game and endangered species) and SCDNR rules; primates outside the great-ape group, foxes, and raccoons are subject to SCDNR captive-wildlife permitting under Title 50, Chapter 16. Common reptiles, parrots, and ferrets remain lawful in Rock Hill subject to federal CITES and USDA-APHIS rules. USDA-licensed zoos, accredited sanctuaries (GFAS), and DHEC-licensed research facilities are the principal exceptions to the state ban.
First-offense possession of a banned large wild cat, non-native bear, or great ape under S.C. Code Β§ 47-2-160 is a misdemeanor with up to $1,000 in fines or 30 days in jail; subsequent offenses carry up to $5,000 or 90 days. Animal-control authorities and law enforcement may seize non-compliant animals. Rock Hill local citations under Chapter 6 may add civil penalties and an order to remove the animal from City limits.
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