Greenville County Code § 4-20 bans keeping any wild, dangerous, or vicious animal as a pet without an annual permit from Animal Control. "Wild animals" include big cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, and constrictors over five feet; ordinary pet-store exotics are exempt.
Section 4-20 states: "No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild, dangerous or vicious animal as a pet, for display or exhibition purposes, without first obtaining a permit." Permits are annual, cost a $50 application fee plus $10 per animal, and require compliance with SC Code § 47-3-760(E) and all state/federal rules. Section 4-11's "wild animal" list covers alligators, bears, wolves/coyotes/foxes, non-human primates, raccoons, skunks, venomous snakes and constrictors over five feet, and venomous lizards. "Exotic animal" means "any animal that is not indigenous to this state"; harmless exotics lawfully bought at pet stores are excepted from the wild-animal permit rule.
Keeping an unpermitted wild or exotic animal is a misdemeanor (§ 4-23); Animal Control may seek a search warrant and seize the animal (§ 4-22).
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