Rock Hill, SC Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Rock Hill's Chapter 6 (Animals) regulates conduct and care rather than a maximum count of household pets. Section 6-31 defines 'adequate shelter,' 'sustenance,' and 'secure enclosure,' giving Rock Hill Animal Control and York County Animal Services a functional benchmark for whether a multi-pet household is in compliance. Three practical limits apply. First, S.C. Code § 47-1-40 imposes the cruelty-of-care floor (misdemeanor for ill-treatment up to $300 + 30 days; felony for torture or excessive suffering 180 days to 5 years + $5,000), meaning a household whose animals are not adequately cared for is at risk regardless of count. Second, all dogs and cats four months and older must be currently vaccinated against rabies and wear a tag, so larger households face higher cumulative compliance burden. Third, Rock Hill's Chapter 31 (Zoning) and the City's commercial-kennel rules separately regulate commercial-scale kennels, breeding operations, and pet stores; running such an operation from a residence requires zoning approval and a business license under Chapter 11. York County's separate kennel-license rule (administered by the County Treasurer) requires written authorization from the Development Services Division for any request involving five or more dogs, which is a useful informal benchmark for when County animal-control attention escalates. Private deed restrictions, condominium bylaws, and lease agreements may impose stricter pet caps and are enforceable as private contracts. Service animals under the ADA and assistance animals under the federal Fair Housing Act are exempt from such private limits when properly documented.