Winnebago County, WI Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Pet store operating permit
- Separate permits
- Boarding kennel, grooming salon
- Sale-source rules
- None - no sourcing ban
- Issuing authority
- Winnebago County Health Officer
Summary
Winnebago County requires a Health Department permit to operate a pet store, plus separate permits for boarding kennels and grooming salons. The ordinance sets facility, sanitation, and feeding standards but does not restrict where a store may source dogs or cats for sale.
Pet Store Permit: No person/firm shall operate or maintain a pet store in Winnebago County without a license/operating permit issued by the Health Officer.
(b) Commercial Kennel License: The rules and regulations pertaining to licensing, specifically � 174.053, Wis Stats, together with any future additions, deletions, or supplement thereto, are herewith incorporated as part of this Chapter and shall be enforced with the same force and effect as though set forth in full herein. Providing, however, that where such rules and regulations are less stringent than other provisions found in this Code, the provisions of this Code shall apply. The rules and regulations pertaining to licensing shall apply also to cats within the County.
(c) Boarding Kennel Permit: No person/firm shall operate or maintain a Boarding Kennel in Winnebago County without an operating permit issued by the Health Officer.
(d) Grooming Salon Permit: No person/firm shall operate or maintain a Pet Grooming Salon in Winnebago County without an operating permit issued by the Health Officer.
Full Breakdown
Under §11.12(1)(a) of the county code, no person or firm may operate or maintain a pet store in Winnebago County without a license/operating permit from the Health Officer; separate permits cover boarding kennels, grooming salons, and commercial kennels, and an establishment running more than one of these activities needs a permit for each. Licensed premises must meet detailed facility, ventilation, sanitation, and feeding standards, and accept inspections as a condition of the permit. The ordinance is a licensing and animal-welfare code, not a sale ban: it does not require pet stores to be adoption-only or restrict where animals for sale may be sourced.
Violations & Fines
A violation by an employee or agent of a licensed pet store counts as a violation by the licensee itself, and the Health Officer can condition, suspend, or deny a permit for noncompliance under Chapter 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must Winnebago County pet stores only sell shelter or rescue animals?
Does a pet store need a separate license to also board or groom animals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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