Dearborn County, IN Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Chapter 90 of the Dearborn County Code regulates pet shops as one type of commercial animal establishment. Section 90.02 defines PET SHOP as a commercial animal establishment engaging in the retail sale of animals. The chapter contains no puppy-mill ban and no adoption-only requirement; it sets operating standards instead, and the Board of Commissioners enforces them through Dearborn County Animal Control.

Section 90.22(A) lists the standards. The establishment must be operated so as not to constitute a public nuisance. It must provide an isolation area where sick or diseased animals are placed so disease does not spread to healthy animals. All animals must be kept caged, within a secure enclosure or under the control of the owner at all times. The establishment must provide the level of care required elsewhere in the chapter to every animal on the premises, which includes the food, water, shelter, sanitation and veterinary care duties in § 90.03(A). It will not sell animals which are unwearied or diseased, in the code's own spelling. It must permit the animal control officer to inspect, at any and all times, the premises where the animals are kept. Each animal needs sufficient space to stand up, lie down and turn around in a natural position without touching the sides or top of the enclosure.

Division (A)(9) requires every commercial animal establishment, except a circus temporarily in the county for less than ten days per year, to be at a permanent building or facility permitted at that location by the applicable zoning laws, so a pet shop depends on Dearborn County zoning approval.

A related rule in § 90.51(A) bars giving away live animals as a prize or inducement to enter any contest, game or competition or place of amusement, or as an incentive to enter into any business agreement offered to attract trade. Section 90.51(B) preserves 4-H and FFA breeding stock for members.