Salt Lake City, UT Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Adoption/rescue-source only, no puppy mills
- Citation
- City Code § 8.04.195
- Allowed sources
- Shelter, animal control, humane society, rescue
- Records
- Certificate of source required per animal
- Exemption
- On-site breeder sales of own-bred animals
Summary
Salt Lake City pet shops can't sell dogs, cats, or rabbits unless the animal came from a shelter, animal control agency, humane society, or nonprofit rescue.
It is unlawful for any person to display, offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer, or sell any live dog, cat, or rabbit at any pet shop, retail business or other commercial animal establishment located within the City unless the dog, cat, or rabbit was obtained from: 1. An animal shelter; 2. An animal control agency; 3. A humane society; or 4. A non-profit rescue organization.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 8.04.195 bans displaying, offering for sale, or selling any live dog, cat, or rabbit at a pet shop, retail business, or other commercial animal establishment unless it was obtained from an animal shelter, animal control agency, humane society, or nonprofit rescue organization. Sellers must keep a certificate of source for each animal and produce it for animal control, police, or code compliance on request. The rule doesn't reach breeders selling from the premises where the animals were bred and reared, and it lets pet shops host shelter or rescue animals on-site for public adoption.
Violations & Fines
Selling a dog, cat, or rabbit without a valid certificate of source, or refusing to produce one on request, violates § 8.04.195 and can trigger permit suspension or revocation by the Office of Animal Services under § 8.04.190.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Salt Lake City pet store sell a puppy from a breeder?
What proof does a Salt Lake City pet shop need for each animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah animal ordinances overview
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Pet Store Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle pet store rules.