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PET SHOPS AND RELATED BUSINESSES

Las Vegas Municipal Code tit. 7, ch. 7.42
in effect

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.010 Definitions.

7.42.010 - Definitions. For purposes of this Chapter: "Animal care facility" means the Animal Protection Services Center or any other facility: (A) That is operated by, or under contract with and on behalf of, any unit of state or local government, or is operated by a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, as set forth in NRS 574.010—574.030, inclusive; (B) That receives and holds animals; and (C) Whose mission and practice consists, in whole or significant part, of the rescue and placement of animals in permanent homes. "Animal Welfare Act and regulations" means the animal welfare provisions of 7 U.S.C. Section 2131 et seq. and the corresponding federal animal welfare regulations located in 9 C.F.R. Chapter I, Subchapter A. "Broker" means any person in the business of selling dogs or cats to pet shops, whether or not the broker is also the breeder of the dogs or cats sold to pet shops. "Distributor" means a person who acts as the agent or contractor of a pet shop to obtain and transport dogs, cats or a combination thereof to a pet shop for purposes of sale. "Nonprofit animal rescue organization" means any nonprofit organization which has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose mission and practice consists, in whole or significant part, of the rescue and placement of animals in permanent homes, the prevention of cruelty to animals and the reduction of pet overpopulation, and that does not breed animals or obtain animals, in exchange for payment or compensation, from a person that breeds animals or resells animals from a person that breeds animals. "Offer for sale" means to make available, display or advertise any animal for sale, purchase, exchange, barter or auction. "Sell" means to, for any form of compensation or remuneration, barter, sell, rehome, gift, give away, trade, export, exchange, auction, make available, broker, or otherwise transfer or dispose of an animal. "USDA license number" means the license number issued to a breeder or broker by the USDA pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act and regulations. (Ord. No. 6928, § 6, 11-5-25; Ord. No. 6850, § 6, 10-18-23; Ord. No. 6816, § 80, 8-17-22; Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.020 Permit required.

7.42.020 - Permit required. (A) No pet shop within the City shall sell any dog or cat unless it first obtains a permit to do so. The permit shall be in addition to the professional animal handler permit required of a pet shop pursuant to LVMC Chapter 7.40. (B) The Animal Regulation Officer is authorized to charge an annual permit fee of five hundred dollars. (Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.030 Breeder/broker prohibitions.

7.42.030 - Breeder/broker prohibitions. No pet shop shall sell or offer for sale, or purchase for resale, whether or not actually offered for sale by the pet shop, any dog or cat purchased from any breeder or broker who: (A) If located in Nevada, is not in compliance with applicable Nevada law and local ordinances pertaining to the maintenance and care of animals and the sanitary operation of animal-related facilities at the time of such transaction or offer; (B) If located outside of Nevada, is not in possession of all other licenses required for a breeder or broker by the state in which the breeder or broker is located; (C) Is not in possession of a current license issued by the USDA pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act and regulations; (D) Within the two years immediately previous to the purchase, has been cited on a USDA inspection report for direct or critical noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act and regulations, or for three or more other noncompliance items under the Animal Welfare Act and regulations that directly impact the health of an animal; (E) On the two most recent USDA inspection reports immediately previous to the purchase, was cited for no-access violations pursuant to enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act and regulations; or (F) Directly or indirectly obtained the animal from a breeder, broker, or other person, firm, corporation, or organization to whom Subsections (A), (B), (C), (D) or (E) of this Section applies. (Ord. No. 6928, § 7, 11-5-25; Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.035 Sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and potbellied pigs prohibited.

7.42.035 - Sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and potbellied pigs prohibited. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.42.040, it is unlawful for any pet shop to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, rabbit, potbellied pig or guinea pig. A pet shop may cooperate with, or provide space to, an animal care facility or nonprofit animal rescue organization to offer to the public dogs, cats, rabbits, potbellied pigs or guinea pigs for adoption, provided that the pet shop shall not have any ownership interest in the animals offered, and shall not receive any fee for providing space to an animal care facility or nonprofit animal rescue organization or for the adoption of any of the animals. (Ord. No. 6928, § 8, 11-5-25)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.040 Same—Exemptions.

7.42.040 - Same—Exemptions. (A) The following are exempt from the provisions of Section 7.42.035: (1) The operator of any existing pet shop location that is lawfully operating and who has all required business licenses and permits on or before the effective date of this ordinance. (2) The relocation of any existing pet shop that is exempt from the provisions of Section 7.42.035 or a subsequent relocation of that pet shop; provided, however that in each case the relocated pet shop location must be a replacement for a previously existing location and not an additional location, and the operation of a previously existing and thereafter relocated pet shop must cease at any previous location. Any such relocated pet shop will continue to be exempt from the provisions of Section 7.42.035 provided that such pet shop operator maintains all required business licenses and permits. (B) Exemption from the provisions of Section 7.42.035 will terminate upon any of the following: (1) The operator of any existing pet shop sells, transfers, or changes primary ownership of its business. (2) The pet shop operator abandons operation of the pet shop. For the purposes of this Subsection, a pet shop is abandoned if business activities are ceased at the location for a period exceeding one hundred eighty days. (3) The pet shop operator's required businesses licenses or permits are revoked. (C) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.42.040(A) and 7.42.040(B), inclusive, all exemptions from the provisions of Section 7.42.035 will terminate on November 6, 2028. (D) The operator of any existing pet shop that is exempted from the requirements of Section 7.42.035 must comply with the provisions of Section 7.42.020, Section 7.42.030, and Sections 7.42.050 to 7.42.070, inclusive. (E) Nothing in Section 7.42.020, Section 7.42.030, and Sections 7.42.050 to 7.42.070, inclusive, shall be deemed to limit the applicability of Section 7.42.035 to the pet shops to which the provisions of Section 7.42.035 pertain. (Ord. No. 6928, §§ 9, 10, 11-5-25)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.050 Requirements.

7.42.050 - Requirements. (A) Each breeder, pet shop and distributor shall comply with applicable provisions of NRS Chapter 574 and the Animal Welfare Act and regulations. (B) Each breeder and distributor shall ensure that all dogs and cats that are to be offered for sale at a pet shop have been microchipped before being transported to the pet shop. (C) No pet shop shall accept delivery of any dog or cat that it proposes to sell unless the pet shop ensures that the animal has been microchipped. (D) No breeder or pet shop shall sell or offer for sale any dog or cat unless it has been microchipped. (Ord. No. 6850, § 7, 10-18-23; Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.060 Compliance.

7.42.060 - Compliance. (A) Each pet shop subject to this Chapter has the burden of demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this Chapter with respect to each dog or cat that it sells or offers for sale. In order to facilitate the demonstration of such compliance and to facilitate the City's enforcement of this Chapter, each such pet shop shall submit to the City on a quarterly basis a report detailing: (1) The name, full street address, email address, if available, and USDA license number of each breeder or broker from which the pet shop purchased a dog or cat, whether or not the pet shop offered the animal for sale, with a detailed listing of each such purchase. The purchase information for each dog or cat must include the identification or registration number of the microchip implanted in the animal. (2) To the extent not included in Paragraph (1), the name, full street address, email address, if available, and USDA license number of each breeder that bred a dog or cat purchased by the pet shop from a broker, whether or not the pet shop offered the animal for sale, with a detailed listing of each such purchase. (3) The state license number(s) and/or state permit number(s) of each breeder and broker referred to in Paragraphs (1) and (2) if a state license or permit is required of the breeder or broker to operate as such within the state(s) in which it operates. In the case of a breeder or broker located outside the United States, the corresponding license and permit numbers from the foreign authorities having jurisdiction shall be provided. (4) The total number of dogs and cats reported as being purchased from each breeder and broker pursuant to this Section. (B) The Animal Regulation Officer is authorized to require each pet shop to document to the City its compliance with the provisions of NRS 574.450 to 574.510, inclusive, either by periodic reporting, periodic announced inspections, periodic unannounced inspections, audits, or a combination thereof. (C) Upon request, each pet shop shall make available to a prospective buyer of a dog or cat all information regarding that animal that is required to be documented or reported under this Chapter, NRS Chapter 574 and the Animal Welfare Act and regulations. (Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.070 Report.

7.42.070 - Report. Each distributor subject to this Chapter has the burden of demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this Chapter with respect to each dog or cat that it arranges for delivery to a pet shop for purposes of sale. In order to facilitate the demonstration of such compliance and to facilitate the City's enforcement of this Chapter, each such distributor shall submit to the City on a quarterly basis a report detailing: (A) The name, full street address, email address, if available, and USDA license number of each breeder or broker from which the distributor obtained a dog or cat for delivery to a pet shop, with a detailed listing of each such transaction. The transaction information for each dog or cat must include the identification or registration number of the microchip implanted in the animal. (B) To the extent not included in Subsection (A), the name, full street address, email address, if available, and USDA license number of each breeder that bred a dog or cat obtained by a distributor for delivery to a pet shop, with a detailed listing of each such transaction. (C) The state license number(s) and/or state permit number(s) of each breeder and broker referred to in Subsections (A) and (B) if a state license or permit is required of the breeder or broker to operate as such within the state(s) in which it operates. In the case of a breeder or broker located outside the United States, the corresponding license and permit numbers from the foreign authorities having jurisdiction shall be provided. (D) The total number of dogs and cats reported as being obtained from each breeder and broker pursuant to this Section. (Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.075 Limitation on number of sales to a household.

7.42.075 - Limitation on number of sales to a household. (A) In any one calendar year, no pet shop or breeder may sell to the same person, or persons from the same household, more than the following number of animals in each category: (1) Six dogs; (2) Six cats; (3) Four ferrets; (4) Four rabbits; or (5) Two guinea pigs. (B) In order to document compliance with Subsection (A) and to assist in enforcement efforts, each pet shop and each breeder shall: (1) In connection with the sale of any animal listed in Subsection (A), record the name and address of each purchaser of an animal listed in Subsection (A) as documented by the purchaser's driver's license or state-issued identification card, as well as the number and type of each animal purchased on that occasion; and (2) Submit to the City, on a calendar quarter basis, a report detailing the information recorded pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection (B). Each such report must be submitted within thirty days following the end of each calendar quarter. (C) Each pet shop shall post signage in a prominent location, or provide a handout to each purchaser of an animal listed in Subsection (A), a listing of the limits established by this Title regarding the number of such animals that can be kept at a residence or premises within the City, as well as the number limits applicable to dog fanciers, cat fanciers and pet fanciers. (D) A violation of this Section is subject to the enforcement provisions of LVMC Chapter 7.44. In addition, a second violation of Subsection (A) shall be grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with LVMC Chapter 6.88 regarding the business license of a pet shop or breeder responsible for the violation. (Ord. No. 6895, § 1, 1-15-25)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.080 Enforcement.

7.42.080 - Enforcement. (A) The Animal Protection Services Officer, officers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and officers and employees of the City within the Business Licensing Division shall have the authority to issue citations or notices of violation, and to conduct inspections, investigations and audits regarding the operation of each breeder and pet shop, including without limitation the transportation of dogs and cats to and from a pet shop and documentation regarding the acquisition and disposition of dogs and cats by a pet shop. (B) The Animal Regulation Officer shall have the authority to develop and adopt forms, reports and other items of documentation to be used by breeders, pet shops and distributors in documenting compliance with this Chapter, and breeders, pet shops and distributors shall use such items of documentation as are required by the Animal Regulation Officer. (C) Following notice to a breeder, pet shop or distributor to use particular forms, reports or documentation adopted pursuant to Subsection (B), each breeder, pet shop or distributor so notified shall thereafter use or follow the format of the forms, reports or documentation as applicable. The failure to do so authorizes the Animal Regulation Officer to issue a notice of noncompliance that requires correction within the time specified by the Animal Regulation Officer. The failure to comply with the notice shall constitute a violation of this Section and subject the violator to applicable criminal or civil proceedings and penalties, including potential disciplinary action against a business license. (Ord. No. 6895, § 2, 1-15-25; Ord. No. 6816, § 81, 8-17-22; Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.085 Violations of Section 7.42.035.

7.42.085 - Violations of Section 7.42.035. Any person who violates the provisions of Section 7.42.035 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to a fine not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. Each sale or offer for sale made in violation of Section 7.42.035 shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. No. 6928, § 11, 11-5-25)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 7.42.090 Relationship with Chapter 7.40.

7.42.090 - Relationship with Chapter 7.40. The requirements of this Chapter are independent of and in addition to the requirements of Chapter 7.40. Businesses subject to both chapters shall comply with the provisions of both chapters wherever possible. In the event of conflict or inconsistency, the more stringent provision shall apply unless the Animal Regulation Officer determines that enforcing or applying a less stringent provision of this Chapter is consistent with the Council's intent in adopting this Chapter. (Ord. No. 6623, § 4, 6-20-18)
Source: City of Las Vegas, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nv/las_vegas/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT7AN_CH7.42PESHREBUFetched: 10/28/2026

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