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Lake County, IN Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required: Pet shop permit, all sellers
Minimum sale age: 8 weeks for puppies/kittens
Health guarantee: At least 1 week, written
Records retention: 12 months, sale statements
First-offense fine: $100 to $1,000

Summary

Lake County requires a pet shop permit for anyone selling dogs, cats or other animals, bars sale of a puppy or kitten under eight weeks old, and forces shops to give buyers a written health and medication record at the time of sale.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lake County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(A) A person owning or operating a pet shop as defined in this chapter shall obtain a pet shop permit. ... (I) No puppy or kitten under the age of eight weeks may be offered for sale, trade, or other compensation, or for free giveaway, except where custody of the puppy or kitten is surrendered to Animal Control.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-14: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 6-9-2026; and State legislation current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).

Full Breakdown

14 regulates pet shops rather than banning retail animal sales outright. Division (A) requires anyone "owning or operating a pet shop as defined in this chapter" to obtain a pet shop permit, and division (B) requires the shop be made available for reasonable inspection by Animal Control during normal operating hours. " Division (D) requires the shop to keep a copy of that statement for at least 12 months and produce it for inspection. Divisions (E) through (G) let Animal Control or the Health Department restrict sale of an animal suspected of being diseased or unfit and require a licensed veterinarian to examine a suspect animal within 24 hours of that determination, with the shop owner covering the enforcing agency's vet fees if the animal is found unfit. Division (H) requires sanitary housing and species-appropriate medical care for all animals in the shop. "

Violations & Fines

Section 90.14 is tagged "Penalty, see § 90.99," and § 90.99(A)(1) sets the chapter's default fine at not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 for a first violation and not less than $250 and not more than $2,500 for a second or subsequent violation, with each day of a continuing violation, such as selling puppies under eight weeks or operating without a permit, counted as a separate offense. A shop found to have sold a diseased or unfit animal also owes the enforcing agency's veterinary examination fees under § 90.14(F).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Lake County pet shop sell puppies and kittens, or is it adoption-only?

Sale is allowed under a permit; Lake County has not adopted an adoption-only or retail sale ban. Section 90.14(A) requires a pet shop permit and division (I) bars sale, trade, or free giveaway of a puppy or kitten under eight weeks old, except when it is surrendered to Animal Control.

What must a pet shop give a buyer at the time of sale?

Under § 90.14(C) the shop must provide a written statement with the sale date, buyer and permit holder contact information, the permit number, the animal's breed, age and sex, its medications and immunizations with dates, parasite treatment dates, and a written health guarantee of at least one week.

What happens if a pet shop sells a sick animal in Lake County?

Animal Control or the Health Department can restrict the sale under § 90.14(E) and require a licensed veterinarian to examine the animal within 24 hours under § 90.14(G); if the vet confirms the animal is diseased or unfit, the shop owner must reimburse the enforcing agency's veterinary fees under § 90.14(F).

Sources & Official References

[1]Lake County, IN Code § 90.14

Other rules in Lake County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome Restrictions Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Pet LimitsSome Restrictions Pet Groomer RulesSome Restrictions Cat RulesSome Restrictions Exotic PetsSome Restrictions MicrochippingLight Restrictions BeekeepingSome Restrictions Breed RestrictionsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseHeavy Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant Restrictions Fire Regulations: FireworksSome Restrictions

All Lake County rules

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