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Lincoln, NE Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Pet shop permit
$85 per year
Combined pet shop + groom shop
$100 per year
Inspection frequency
At least every 6 months
Permit expires
September 30 annually
Late renewal fee
$25

Summary

Lincoln allows pet shops to sell dogs and cats but requires an $85 annual permit, biannual inspections, and bans selling sick animals or misrepresenting breed or sex.

No pet shop or groom shop shall be operated or maintained in the City of Lincoln without a permit issued by the Director. Before such a permit is issued, an inspection of the premises shall be conducted by the Director. ... It shall be unlawful for the owner, proprietor, employee, or volunteer of any pet shop to knowingly sell or offer for sale a sick or ill pet animal or misrepresent the breed or sex of a pet animal to any buyer or consumer.

Source: Nebraska Department of AgricultureView official code

Full Breakdown

Lincoln's Municipal Code lets retail pet shops sell dogs and cats, there is no adoption-only mandate, but requires an annual permit from the Animal Control Director, $85 for a pet shop alone or $100 combined with a groom shop. The Director inspects the premises before issuing the permit and at least every six months after. Shops may not knowingly sell a sick animal, misrepresent an animal's breed or sex, board dogs or cats overnight, or run a mobile pet shop from a vehicle on a city street. Permits expire September 30 and renew by October 1; late renewal adds a $25 fee.

Violations & Fines

Operating without a permit, selling a sick animal, misrepresenting breed or sex, or running a mobile pet shop can draw a suspended or revoked permit and prosecution under Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 6.04.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pet stores in Lincoln sell dogs and cats?
Yes. Lincoln requires an annual permit from the Animal Control Director but does not ban retail sales or require pet shops to be adoption-only.
Does Lincoln require pet shops to source animals from shelters?
No. The Municipal Code sets permit, inspection, and consumer-protection rules but has no shelter-sourcing or retail-sale-ban requirement.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lincoln

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All Lincoln rules

Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska animal ordinances overview

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