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Santa Clarita, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Definition
Pet shop, Sec. 8.08.200
Reporting duty
Sales list to Animal Care & Control
Vaccination duty
Rabies shot per dog before sale
Swap meets
Live animal sales banned, Sec. 8.40.015
Penalty
Infraction under Sec. 8.04.060(A)

Summary

Santa Clarita doesn't ban pet shops from selling dogs or cats, but Section 8.40.100 requires every kennel or pet shop license holder to report to Animal Care and Control a regular list of animals sold and to have every dog in its custody vaccinated for rabies before sale.

"Pet shop" means any place of business where dogs under four (4) months of age, or cats, monkeys, birds, reptiles, fish, or any other animals to be used as pets, are kept for sale. ... Each holder of a kennel or pet shop license within the City of Santa Clarita is required to provide the Department of Animal Care and Control with a regular listing of all animals sold, including the name and address of the owner, according to the procedure and form as provided by the Director. Every kennel and/or pet shop shall obtain a rabies vaccination for each dog within its custody or control in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.20.220.

View official code

Full Breakdown

060 before it can operate. 220. When a vaccinated dog is sold, the pet shop must provide the purchaser with the certificate of vaccination. 015, bars a different sales channel entirely: no one may permit, cause, display for, or promote the sale of live animals, including dogs and cats, at a swap meet. 100.

Violations & Fines

A kennel or pet shop that sells dogs or cats without providing the required sales listing to Animal Care and Control, or without a rabies vaccination certificate for each dog sold, violates Section 8.40.100. That section is not on the misdemeanor list in Section 8.04.060(B), so a violation is charged as an infraction under Section 8.04.060(A), on top of any consequence to the facility's underlying Section 8.28.060 license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a pet store in Santa Clarita sell dogs and cats?
Yes, the code doesn't ban it, but the store must be licensed as an animal facility under Section 8.28.060 and, under Section 8.40.100, must give Animal Care and Control a regular list of animals sold and provide a rabies vaccination certificate with each dog sold.
What records must a pet shop keep on animals it sells?
Section 8.40.100 requires the pet shop to report a regular listing of all animals sold, including the buyer's name and address, to the Department of Animal Care and Control in the form the Director provides, and to keep a current rabies vaccination on file for every dog in its custody.
Can dogs and cats be sold at a swap meet in Santa Clarita?
No. Section 8.40.015 bars anyone who operates or leases space at a swap meet from permitting, displaying for, or promoting the sale of live animals there, and the code specifically lists dogs and cats among the live animals covered by that ban.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Santa Clarita

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsMicrochippingSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsBeekeepingSome RestrictionsCoyote ManagementSignificant RestrictionsWildlife FeedingSignificant RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsHeavy RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Santa Clarita rules

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