Lexington County, SC Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code Sec. 10-32
- Commercial breeding kennels
- Prohibited countywide
- Dog/puppy sales
- Fancier registration required
- Enforcement
- Lexington County Animal Services
- Pet shop exemption
- Written approval from director
Summary
Lexington County outlaws commercial dog/cat breeding kennels outright and prohibits selling or rehoming dogs and puppies unless the seller holds a fancier breeder registration.
(a)No person shall own or operate a commercial breeding kennel/cattery within the county. Any commercial breeder not recognized by fancier breed registration guidelines shall not breed in Lexington County. ... (d)The sale or rehoming (with or without a fee) of dogs or puppies are prohibited unless recognized with a fancier breeder registration and in compliance with the Lexington County Animal Services ordinance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
County Code Sec. 10-32 bars anyone from owning or operating a commercial breeding kennel or cattery in unincorporated Lexington County, and blocks any commercial breeder not recognized under fancier breed registration guidelines from breeding here at all. The sale or rehoming of dogs or puppies, with or without a fee, is likewise prohibited unless the seller is a registered fancier breeder in compliance with the county Animal Services ordinance. A related section (10-41) lets licensed pet shops, county shelters, and licensed rescues get a written exemption from the flea-market/vendor breeder-license rule that otherwise applies to anyone selling pets at a booth or market.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unregistered commercial breeding kennel or selling/rehoming dogs or puppies without fancier breeder registration violates Sec. 10-32; Animal Services can suspend or revoke a fancier's certificate of inspection for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet store sell dogs or cats in Lexington County?
Who enforces the breeding kennel ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington County
Compare Lexington County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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