Salt Lake City prohibits pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits, restricting retail to animals sourced from shelters or 501c3 rescues, mirroring a model used by Sandy and other Utah cities.
Under SLC Code Chapter 5.45 the city restricts retail pet sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits to animals obtained from public shelters, humane societies, or nonprofit rescue partners. The intent is to cut demand for puppy mills while preserving adoption channels. Stores must post the source organization on each enclosure and maintain records for inspection by Animal Services and Business Licensing. Exemptions exist for hobby breeders selling directly from home and for licensed kennels operating outside retail storefronts. Online sales by individual breeders remain governed by Utah consumer-protection rules rather than city retail rules.
Selling commercially bred animals from a retail storefront is a class B misdemeanor with daily fines, business license suspension, and possible permanent license revocation for repeat offenders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City does not regulate lawn ornaments (statuary, fountains, decorative figurines) as a distinct use. SLC Code Chapter 21A.48 expressly defines land...
Salt Lake City, UT
Commercial inflatable signs (e.g., advertising balloons) are prohibited as 'balloon signs' under SLC Code Chapter 21A.46. Residential seasonal inflatables (s...
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City does not impose a specific calendar limit on residential holiday lights. Holiday decorations are not regulated as 'signs' under Chapter 21A.46...
Salt Lake City, UT
Outdoor kitchens in Salt Lake City are treated as accessory structures under SLC Code 21A.40 with associated trade permits (building, electrical, plumbing, g...
Salt Lake City, UT
Wood- and charcoal-fueled smokers fall under IFC 308.1.4 (open-flame cooking devices): not permitted on combustible balconies or within 10 ft of combustible ...
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) Section 308.1.4: charcoal grills, smokers, and open-flame cooking devices cannot be operated on combu...
See how Salt Lake City's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.