Elko County, NV Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Elko County does not print a retail pet-sale ban or an adoption-only rule in this section. What it prints is a licensing gate: before a business keeps or boards any dog or cat for sale or profit, or acts as a breeder, it needs a permit from the Elko County Sheriff's Office. The application goes to the Sheriff's Office on a form the County prescribes and must list the name of the person or business, the address or location of the facility, the type of animals bred, and a copy of a State business license and the Elko County Certificate of Business or Fictitious Firm name.

Before issuing the permit the Sheriff's Office can inspect the business to see whether the location suits the proposed operation. For enforcing NRS 574.360 to 574.440 as they apply to breeders, a Sheriff's representative or the Animal Control Officer can enter and inspect the premises named on the permit at any reasonable hour. The Elko County Board of Commissioners sets the permit fee. A breeder permit runs for one year, is nontransferable, and must name the address of the premises where the person can act as a breeder.

Businesses already keeping or boarding dogs for sale or profit before March 1, 2023 had to apply by October 1, 2023, and a business that missed that date is in violation.

Subsection (F) lists good cause for suspension, revocation or denial: failing to renew within thirty days of the due date, losing a required license, unsanitary conditions or excessive noise that create a nuisance, unlawful acts including NRS 574.360 to 574.440 violations, fraud, concealment in procuring a license, and two or more violations of law or the chapter. Suspension starts with a notice giving five days, excluding weekends and holidays, to remedy. Revocation needs a Board hearing on at least three days of notice. After suspension or revocation, animal services can impound animals that are in danger, are a nuisance, or are held in violation, at the permit holder's cost.