Southampton, NY Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

Southampton regulates pet groomers as one category of 'commercial animal establishment' inside Chapter 150, Dogs and Other Animals. Section 150-4 defines GROOMING SHOP as a commercial establishment where animals are bathed, clipped, plucked or otherwise groomed, and folds it into COMMERCIAL ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENT alongside pet shops, auctions, riding schools or stables, zoological parks, circuses, performing animal exhibitions and kennels. Section 150-9(A) makes it unlawful to operate any such establishment, including a grooming shop, without first obtaining a permit. Under § 150-9(B), the Southampton Town Department of Animal Control, under the Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator, issues the permit only after a satisfactory inspection and payment of the fee set by Town Board resolution.

Permits run on the fiscal year, and § 150-9(C) requires renewal applications 30 days before and up to 60 days after the fiscal year starts; a new establishment can apply at any time. A change in ownership requires a transfer application and fee under § 150-9(D), and each separately tax-mapped business location needs its own permit under § 150-9(F). Government-run zoological parks and licensed veterinary hospitals and clinics are exempt under § 150-9(G) and (H). Section 150-10 lets the Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator revoke a permit for noncompliance, subject to notice and a hearing before the Public Safety Commission, and bars anyone convicted of animal cruelty from holding a permit at all; a revoked business must humanely dispose of all animals within 10 days. Failure to operate for the full permit term forfeits the fee, with no refund.