Gwinnett County, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum age to sell/give away
- 8 weeks (dogs/cats)
- Who may sell off-site
- Licensed shelters, vets, dealers, rescues
- Fair exemption
- State/county fairs, 4-H exempt
- Governing section
- Sec. 10-177
Summary
Selling or giving away animals on public property or someone else's private property is banned in unincorporated Gwinnett County unless the seller is a licensed shelter, vet, dealer, rescue, or humane society with permission.
Selling, adopting, bartering, leasing, displaying for a commercial purpose or giving away animal(s) in front of or on private property or public property, other than the animal owner's property is prohibited. A licensed animal shelter, licensed veterinarian, licensed pet dealer, licensed rescue group or licensed humane society which has all required governmental licenses, registrations and has obtained permission from the owner of the business or property, may sell, adopt or give away animals on private or public property. Dogs, cats, puppies or kittens offered for sale or given away must be at least eight weeks old. Any individual selling an animal for profit must also comply with other ordinances and state law involving permitting. This subsection shall not apply to the display of dogs, cats, or domestic rabbits as part of a state or county fair or exhibition, 4-H program, or similar agricultural exhibition.(b)It is unlawful to offer as a prize or give away any animal, amphibian, fish, reptile, or fowl in any contest, raffle or lottery or as an enticement for fund raising or for entry into any place of business. (Ord. No. AW-2020(GCID: 2020-1254), Exh. B, 12-15-2020; Ord. No. ACO2024-001(GCID 2024-0226), Exh. A, 3-5-2024)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-177 bars selling, adopting, bartering, leasing, displaying commercially, or giving away animals in front of or on private or public property other than the animal owner's own property. Licensed animal shelters, veterinarians, pet dealers, rescue groups, and humane societies may do so off-site with the landowner's permission. Dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens offered for sale or adoption must be at least eight weeks old. The rule targets curbside and parking-lot sales; it does not restrict a licensed pet store selling on its own premises, and it exempts state/county fairs and 4-H exhibitions.
Violations & Fines
Selling or giving away an animal off your own property without the required license and landowner permission violates Sec. 10-177 and is enforced by Animal Welfare as a county code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell puppies from a parking lot or roadside stand in Gwinnett County?
Does Gwinnett County ban pet stores from selling dogs and cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gwinnett County
Compare Gwinnett County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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