Fauquier County, VA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- pet shops and companion-animal dealers (§4-36(a))
- Zoning proof required
- letter from Zoning Administrator
- Annual fee
- $50, due by January 31 (§4-36(b))
- Small-breeder exception
- 1 litter per animal per year isn't dealing
- Out-of-state dog bond
- $5,000-$30,000 by volume (§4-40(a))
- Penalty
- $500 civil penalty per 24-hour period (§4-28(g))
Summary
Fauquier County lets pet shops and animal dealers sell dogs and cats, but only with an annual permit from the county animal warden under County Code § 4-36, which requires a zoning compliance letter and a $50 yearly fee. Shops that import dogs from outside Virginia must also post a bond of at least $5,000 under § 4-40(a).
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a pet shop or operate as a dealer in companion animals who does not possess a valid permit. The animal warden is responsible for the administration of permits pursuant to this article. A complete application is a necessary prerequisite to the animal warden issuing a permit. Complete application is defined as submission of a written application on the form provided by the animal warden, payment of the required fee, and presentation of a letter from a Fauquier County Zoning Administrator that the pet shop or companion animal dealer is in compliance with county zoning ordinances. ... The permit shall be obtained on an annual basis no later than January 31 of each year. The fee for said permit and each renewal thereof shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) per year. ... Any pet shop offering for sale dogs procured from outside of the commonwealth shall furnish to the animal warden a cash bond, cash equivalent bond, or acceptable letter of credit of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for a pet shop maintaining for sale an average of fifty (50) or fewer dogs per year.
Full Breakdown
A complete application under § 4-36(a) requires the written form, the required fee, and a letter from the Fauquier County Zoning Administrator confirming the shop or dealer complies with zoning ordinances; without all three, the animal warden cannot issue the permit. The permit must be renewed by January 31 each year at $50 per year (§ 4-36(b)). A small-breeder exception excludes anyone who breeds no more than one companion animal, no more than once a year, from the definition of dealer (§ 4-36(c)). Permit holders must keep records the animal warden specifies, and the warden may inspect the premises before issuing or reissuing a permit (§ 4-37), and may deny or revoke a permit for fraud or inhumane treatment (§ 4-38).
Pet shops selling dogs sourced from outside Virginia must post a bond, cash equivalent, or letter of credit scaled from $5,000 for shops averaging 50 or fewer such dogs a year up to $30,000 for shops averaging 51 or more (§ 4-40(a)); the warden may reduce, waive, or after ten years of clean operation, terminate that bond (§ 4-40(b)).
Violations & Fines
Operating a pet shop or animal dealer without a valid permit, or otherwise violating Article IV's licensing, recordkeeping or bonding requirements, draws a $500 civil penalty chargeable once for each 24-hour period as a separate and subsequent violation under § 4-28(g).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet store sell dogs and cats in unincorporated Fauquier County?
Does Fauquier County require pet shops to be adoption-only?
Do backyard breeders need a dealer permit?
What happens if a pet shop operates without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fauquier County
Compare Fauquier County to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
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