Albemarle County, VA Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

Albemarle County does not issue a separate business license for pet groomers, but it does not leave them unregulated either. County Code § 4-103 defines "groomer" as any person who, for a fee, cleans, trims, brushes, makes neat, manicures, or treats for external parasites any animal, placing the term on equal footing with dealer, pet shop, exhibitor, and boarding establishment in the same definitions section. County Code § 4-300(A) then names the groomer specifically among the parties who must provide adequate feed, adequate water, adequate shelter that is properly cleaned, adequate space in any enclosure, adequate exercise, adequate care, treatment and transportation, and veterinary care when needed or to prevent suffering or disease transmission for every companion animal in their custody.

Because the duty runs to "any companion animal," it covers a client's dog or cat while it is at the groomer's premises, not just animals the groomer owns. Enforcement falls to the Albemarle County Police Department's Animal Protection unit, which investigates complaints and can charge a violation under § 4-300(B). A first violation of any of the seven required-care duties is a class 4 misdemeanor. Repeat violations escalate: a second or later violation involving food, water, shelter, or veterinary care becomes a class 2 misdemeanor, while a second or later violation involving space, exercise, or care/treatment/transportation becomes a class 3 misdemeanor.

The county has not adopted a grooming-specific permit, inspection schedule, or bonding requirement; the care-duty standard in § 4-300 is the operative rule for anyone operating a grooming business in the county outside Charlottesville and Scottsville.