Animal Ordinances in Laurens County, SC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Laurens County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Laurens County, Sec. 4-6(b)(1) makes it unlawful for an owner to let a dog run at large off property the owner owns, rents or controls, unless the dog is a hunting or working dog actively engaged in the field. Any dog tethered instead of fenced must meet the ten-part restraint standard in Sec. 4-6(g), including a 15-foot tether and swivel hardware.
Dog At-Large and Tethering Rules in Laurens County
Some RestrictionsLaurens County Code § 4-6(b)(1), (g)
(1)Not keep such an animal under reasonable control or restraint at all times, or allow such animal or pet to run at large off of property owned, rented, or controlled by such owner. This provision shall not apply to any hunting or working dog while actually engaged in any hunting or training or working exercises, so long as such dog does not do injury to persons or domestic animals or poets or...
Breed Restrictions
Laurens County has no breed-specific ban; instead Sec. 4-6(f) regulates any 'dangerous animal' by conduct. An owner must keep a dangerous animal confined indoors or in a locked, six-foot pen at home, and muzzled on a three-foot, 300-pound-test chain off the property. Every dangerous animal must be registered with animal control for a $25.00 fee.
Dangerous Dog Registration Rules in Laurens County
Significant RestrictionsLaurens County Code § 4-6(f)
No person:(1)Owning or harboring or having the care or the custody of a dangerous animal may permit the animal to go unconfined on his/her premises. A dangerous animal is unconfined, as used in this section, if the animal is not confined securely indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked pen or run area upon the person's premises. The pen or run area also must have either six-foot s...
Exotic Pets
Unincorporated Laurens County bans owning any carnivore that is not normally domesticated and not native to South Carolina, such as bobcats, wolves or coyote-dog hybrids, unless the owner holds an Animal Control permit or a federal USDA Class A, B or C license under Sec. 4-6(e). A permit applicant must also carry at least $50,000.00 in liability insurance.
Exotic and Wild Carnivore Pet Permits in Laurens County
Significant RestrictionsLaurens County Code § 4-6(e)
No carnivores which are both normally not domesticated and not native or indigenous to the State of South Carolina may be owned, possess, harbored, or kept in any manner in Laurens County, except pursuant to a permit issued by the Laurens County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Division ("animal control") or pursuant to a Class A, B, or C license issued by the United States Department of Agricul...
Cat Rules
In unincorporated Laurens County, every dog and cat must wear a valid metal rabies tag on a collar or harness whenever outside the owner's home, issued by a licensed veterinarian under County Code Sec. 4-4. Owners must also keep cats under reasonable control and restraint at all times under Sec. 4-6(a). Cats picked up without a tag go to the county animal shelter as abandoned animals.
Cat Rabies Tags and At-Large Rules in Laurens County
Some RestrictionsLaurens County Code §§ 4-4, 4-6(a)
A valid metal rabies tag must be attached to a collar or harness and worn by dogs and cats at all times when outside the owner's home. This rabies tag must have been issued by a licensed veterinarian. ... Dogs and cats without such rabies tags may be picked up by an animal control officer and taken to the animal shelter for further disposition as abandoned animals. ... The owner of every animal...
Bird Protection
Sec. 28-2(a)(2) of the Laurens County Code bans killing, harming or harassing any mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian on county park and recreation property, unless the parks department issues a permit. Hunting anywhere in a county park is separately banned under subsection (3). Violating either provision is a misdemeanor handled in magistrate's court.
Laurens County Park Wildlife Protection
Significant RestrictionsLaurens County Code § 28-2(a)(2)
(2)Killing, harming or harassing any mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian, except by permit issued by the department.
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