Kings County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- breeder permit (§4-46)
- Minimum sale age
- 8 weeks
- Ads must show
- permit number
- Issued by
- animal control officer
Summary
Anyone breeding, selling, or advertising dogs or cats for sale or adoption in unincorporated Kings County, including retail sellers, must hold a breeder permit and list its number in every advertisement.
It is unlawful for any person to breed dogs and/or cats for sale or profit or to advertise for the sale or adoption of such animals without first obtaining a breeder permit. The fees for a breeder permit shall be set by the board of supervisors and shall be paid to the animal control officer.
To obtain a permit, the breeder may not sell or adopt any offspring until eight weeks of age and each has been vaccinated against common diseases. The breeder must list the permit number when advertising offspring for sale or adoption, must list the permit number as part of the sale or adoption paperwork, and must disclose the permit number to all potential purchasers or adopters of offspring.
It is unlawful for any person to advertise for the sale or adoption of any offspring of dogs and/or cats without including in the advertisement a breeder permit number.
A breeder permit shall be in addition to any other requirements and conditions set forth in the county ordinances.
(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 4-46 makes it unlawful to breed dogs or cats for sale or profit, or to advertise their sale or adoption, without a county breeder permit issued by the animal control officer. Permit holders cannot sell or adopt out offspring before eight weeks of age or before vaccination against common diseases, and must list the permit number in every advertisement and in the sale or adoption paperwork given to buyers. The rule applies to any seller, including a retail store sourcing animals, not just backyard breeders, and sits alongside any other county licensing requirement.
Violations & Fines
Breeding, selling, or advertising dogs/cats for sale or adoption without a breeder permit and permit number violates Sec. 4-46 and is an infraction under Sec. 4-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet store sell dogs or cats in unincorporated Kings County?
How young can puppies or kittens be sold?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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