Animal Ordinances in Aiken County, SC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Aiken County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Aiken County allows up to six domestic chickens, including roosters, as a conditional accessory use to a single-family home in most residential districts under Sec. 24-3.26. Coops must sit in the rear yard, at least 5 feet from property lines, and the birds can never be kept commercially.
Aiken County Backyard Chicken Limits
Some RestrictionsAiken County Code of Ordinances § 24-3.26
...the keeping of domestic chickens for domestic egg production or as pets within the RC, RD, RM, NC, UD, OR, LD, IND, RH5, RH5B, and HCO zoning districts on lots less than three (3) acres in an RRC zoning district is allowed as a conditional use under the following conditions and with the following limitations: (1)The keeping of domestic chickens is permitted only as an accessory use for a sin...
Dog Leash Laws
Aiken County makes it unlawful for a dog to run at large off its owner's own property; Sec. 4-30 requires a dog off the owner's land to be under restraint or confinement by a leash or other physically attached device. Hunting, trial, and show dogs under direct owner control are exempt while actively working.
Aiken County Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsAiken County Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-30(a)
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog to permit, or allow in any way, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the same to run at large except on property owned, rented, or controlled by the owner. All dogs not on property owned, rented or controlled by the owner must be kept under restraint or confinement and under the physical control of the owner by means of a leash or other physica...
Breed Restrictions
Aiken County explicitly refuses to treat any breed as automatically dangerous: Sec. 4-32(c) states an animal is not dangerous solely by virtue of its breed or species. Instead, the county uses a behavior-based dangerous-animal declaration with registration, insurance, and confinement duties under Secs. 4-32 and 4-22(d).
Aiken County Has No Breed-Specific Dog Ban
Some RestrictionsAiken County Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-32(c)-(d)
An animal is not a dangerous animal solely by virtue of its breed or species. Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, a court of competent jurisdiction may, after considering the totality of the circumstances, deem an animal a dangerous animal, regardless of location of an attack or provocation, when an attack results in serious injury to a human.
Exotic Pets
Aiken County bars anyone from keeping a wild animal as a pet unless federal or state law specifically allows it, and separately bans keeping any wild or vicious animal on a property for display or exhibition. Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-26 defines wild animals broadly to include primates, big cats, wolves, venomous snakes, and wild/domestic hybrids.
Aiken County Wild Animal Pet Ban
Heavy RestrictionsAiken County Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-26(a)-(b)
No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild or vicious animal for display or exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, or circuses. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet except as allowed under federal and state law.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Aiken County does not mandate spay or neuter for every pet, but every dog and cat adopted from the county animal shelter must be sterilized and microchipped before adoption closes. The adopter pays the cost under Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-21(c), with a narrow deferral allowed for animals under six months old.
Aiken County Shelter Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsAiken County Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-21(c)(2)-(3)
All dogs and cats placed for adoption shall be neutered and shall have a microchip implanted. The cost of the neutering and microchip implanting and registration shall be borne by the adopter. The fee for these services shall be established by council. If the animal is under six (6) months old, it may be released to an adopting person without sterilization; however, the adopting citizen must re...
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