Animal Ordinances in Anderson County, SC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Anderson County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Anderson County, Sec. 7:4 of the zoning ordinance bars keeping livestock other than ponies and horses in the R-15 and R-20 residential districts, while the R-A Residential Agricultural District allows every type of livestock. Ponies and horses in R-15/R-20 need at least 1.5 acres and 50-foot shelter setbacks.
Anderson County Zoning Rule on Keeping Livestock
Some RestrictionsAnderson County Code of Ordinances § 7:4
No livestock with the exception of ponies and horses may be kept in the R-15 and R-20 districts subject to the district regulations and the following conditions. All types of livestock may be kept in the R-A, Residential Agricultural District. 7:4.1.Site. In the R-15 and R-20 districts, the minimum lot area upon which ponies and horses may be kept is 1½ acres, with no more than one head of poni...
Dog Leash Laws
Anderson County requires every pet owner to keep their animal 'under reasonable control and restraint at all times,' and Sec. 4-4(c)(1) makes it unlawful to let a dog or other pet run at large off the owner's property. Hunting and working dogs are exempt while actively engaged in the field, so long as they injure no one.
Anderson County Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsAnderson County Code of Ordinances § 4-4(a), (c)(1)
(a)The owner of every animal or pet within the county shall keep such animal or pet under reasonable control and restraint at all times, with the exception of community cats. ... (c)It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of any animal or pet, or any other person, where applicable, to: (1)Not keep such animal or pet under reasonable control or restraint at all times, or allow such animal o...
Breed Restrictions
Anderson County does not ban or restrict animals by breed: Sec. 4-1 states an animal 'is not a dangerous animal solely by virtue of breed or species.' Instead, a dog or other animal becomes 'dangerous' only after an unprovoked bite, attack, or documented pattern of aggression, and Sec. 4-4(g) then imposes confinement, muzzling, insurance, and registration duties on that specific animal.
Anderson County Dangerous Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsAnderson County Code of Ordinances §§ 4-1, 4-4(g)
Dangerous animal means any animal that, as can be shown by records of the county or state or of any other political subdivision of the United States: (1)Has, without provocation, inflicted injury on a human being, domestic animal, or livestock, either on public or private property; or (2)Aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans, domestic animals, or livestock, without prov...
Exotic Pets
Anderson County bans keeping any carnivore that is not normally domesticated and not native to South Carolina, such as lions, tigers, or wolves, unless the owner holds a state permit or a USDA Class A, B, or C license. Sec. 4-4(f) governs, and county-issued permits are limited to zoos, circuses, and research or breeding institutions.
Anderson County Ban on Wild Carnivores as Pets
Significant RestrictionsAnderson County Code of Ordinances § 4-4(f)
No carnivores which are both normally not domesticated and not native or indigenous to the state may be owned, possessed, harbored or kept in any manner in the county, except pursuant to a permit issued by the state; or pursuant to a Class A, Class B, or Class C license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, under 7 USC 2131—2157 and 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(g), authorizing o...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Anderson County doesn't require pet owners generally to sterilize their animals, but Sec. 4-32 mandates it for every dog or cat adopted from the county animal shelter: sterilization happens before release, or the adopter must have a licensed vet do it within 30 days of a sexually mature animal's acquisition or by six months of age.
Anderson County Shelter-Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsAnderson County Code of Ordinances § 4-32
(a)The animal shelter shall make provisions for the sterilization of all dogs or cats adopted or otherwise acquired from the animal shelter:(1)By providing sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal unless doing so would pose a threat to the health of the animal; or(2)In cases where sterilization prior to acquisition poses a threat to the health of the a...
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