Animal Ordinances in Pickens County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Pickens County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Unincorporated Pickens County does not impose a blanket leash mandate; Code § 4-4(a)(1) bars letting a dog run at large off its owner's property when doing so becomes a nuisance or menace, and § 4-1 defines "at-large" as off-property and not under restraint. Complaint-driven capture follows under § 4-9.
Dog At-Large Rules in Pickens County
Some RestrictionsPickens County Code §§ 4-1, 4-4(a)(1)
At-large describes an animal off the property of its owner or other consenting landowner and not under restraint. ... (a)It shall be unlawful in the county for any animal owner or other person with custody and control of any animal to allow: (1)Such animal to run at large off of property owned, rented or controlled by him so as to constitute a nuisance or menace to the person or property of ano...
Breed Restrictions
Pickens County's vicious-animal ordinance is behavior-based, not breed-based: Code § 4-1 states an animal "is not a dangerous animal solely by virtue of its breed or species," so no dog breed is banned or restricted. Owners of animals declared vicious under § 4-10 face confinement, registration and impoundment instead.
No Breed-Specific Dog Rules in Pickens County
Few RestrictionsPickens County Code § 4-1
Vicious animal means: (1)An animal of the canine or feline family:a.Which the owner knows or reasonably should know has a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, cause injury, or otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; ... (3)An animal is not a dangerous animal solely by virtue of its breed or species.
Exotic Pets
Unincorporated Pickens County bans owning, possessing or keeping any nondomesticated carnivore under Code § 4-10(f) unless the owner holds a county animal control permit, a USDA class A/B/C license, or state authorization under S.C. Code § 50-11-2400. Zoos, shelters, vet hospitals and labs are exempt under § 4-10(g).
Wild Carnivore Pet Permit Rule in Pickens County
Significant RestrictionsPickens County Code § 4-10(f)-(g)
(f)No nondomesticated species of carnivores may be owned, possessed, harbored or kept in any manner in the county, except pursuant to a permit issued by the county animal control department; or pursuant to a class A, class B, or class C license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, under 7 U.S.C. 2131-2157 and 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, 371.2(g), authorizing operation as a breeder, deal...
Cat Rules
Unincorporated Pickens County exempts sterilized, ear-tipped community cats from licensing, at-large enforcement, and shelter stray-hold rules under Code § 4-5. Caregivers who feed community cats are not treated as owners but must feed responsibly. All non-qualified cats still need a rabies tag under § 4-6.
Community Cat and TNR Rules in Pickens County
Light RestrictionsPickens County Code § 4-5
(b)"Community cat" means any free roaming cat that may be cared for by one or more residents in the immediate area who is/are known or unknown; a community cat may be friendly or feral. Qualified community cats may be distinguished from other cats by being sterilized and ear tipped and are not subject to licensing, at large, or shelter stray hold provisions. ... (2)"Trap/neuter/return" or "TNR"...
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