Joliet, IL Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Under Division 2 of Chapter 6, "Sales, Transfer, and Breeding," Joliet defines a puppy mill as "a dog breeding operation in which the health of the dogs is disregarded in order to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits" (Sec. 6-32). 8, and may not separate any dog from its mother before the dog reaches eight weeks of age (Sec. 6-33). Operating or participating in a puppy mill, or operating as an unlicensed breeder under the state Act, is a violation of the Code (Sec.

6-34). Separately, anyone running a brick-and-mortar pet shop in Joliet needs a pet shop operator license from the business license department under Article XIII of Chapter 18; that license is denied if the applicant lacks the required Illinois Department of Agriculture pet shop operator's license or has been disciplined under the state Animal Welfare Act (Secs. 18-262, 18-263). 15 near each animal's holding area (Sec. 18-266) and must let city agents inspect the premises (Sec. 18-267). The city has not enacted a blanket ban on retail dog and cat sales; instead it layers a puppy mill and unlicensed-breeder ban with a pet shop licensing and disclosure regime, steering commercial sellers toward state-licensed, welfare-compliant sources.