South Carolina Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

South Carolina currently does not require a state-level dog breeder license. As of April 2026, advocates have confirmed that the state has no commercial breeding laws in place. However, Senate Bill 720, introduced in December 2025 and still under review in March 2026, would change this if enacted. Under the proposed legislation, a 'professional dog breeder' is defined as anyone who owns at least 10 adult female breeding dogs or sells more than 15 puppies in a calendar year. The bill would require these professional breeders to obtain a license from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The proposed law includes background check provisions to prevent individuals convicted of dog fighting or animal cruelty from breeding dogs. Individual counties and municipalities may have their own local kennel licensing requirements, so breeders should check with their local animal control offices. Some counties require basic business licenses or kennel permits for those keeping multiple dogs.

Currently, there is no state-level application process for dog breeders in South Carolina because no statewide licensing requirement exists. Breeders who sell dogs through interstate commerce or online may need to apply for a USDA Animal Welfare Act license through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/apply. Under the proposed Senate Bill 720, professional dog breeders would apply for a license through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The proposed license would be valid for two years and would require an initial on-site inspection by local law enforcement or an appointed designee to ensure compliance with housing and care standards before the license is issued. Until the bill passes and implementation details are published, no specific state application forms or procedures exist. Breeders should monitor the South Carolina Legislature website at www.scstatehouse.gov for updates on S. 720's progress.

South Carolina currently does not charge any state-level dog breeder licensing fees because no state licensing system exists. The pending Senate Bill 720 does not specify exact fee amounts in the publicly available bill text, so if the legislation passes, fee amounts would likely be established through subsequent regulations by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Local counties and municipalities may charge fees for business licenses or kennel permits that vary by jurisdiction. Breeders selling dogs across state lines who require federal USDA licensing pay federal fees according to APHIS fee schedules, which vary based on facility type and size. Until state legislation passes, breeders should budget only for any applicable local permits and potential federal licensing costs if they meet USDA thresholds.

Because South Carolina has no statewide dog breeder licensing law, there are currently no mandatory state-level inspections of dog breeding facilities. Under the proposed Senate Bill 720, professional dog breeders would be subject to an initial on-site inspection before receiving their license, conducted by local law enforcement or a designee appointed by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The proposed legislation would also establish a procedure for reinspection of premises, dogs, and records of professional dog breeders. The bill would create housing and care standards that inspectors would verify during these visits. If breeders fall under USDA jurisdiction for interstate sales, they are subject to unannounced APHIS inspections to verify compliance with federal Animal Welfare Act standards. Local animal control officers may have authority to inspect facilities under county ordinances, particularly in response to complaints about animal welfare.

South Carolina currently has no state-level record-keeping requirements specific to dog breeders because no state licensing law exists. The proposed Senate Bill 720 would establish a procedure for inspection of records of professional dog breeders, though specific record-keeping requirements are not detailed in the publicly available bill text. These details would likely be established through regulations if the bill passes. Breeders subject to USDA licensing under the federal Animal Welfare Act must maintain detailed records including acquisition and disposition records for all dogs, medical records, and breeding records, which must be kept for at least one year and made available during APHIS inspections. South Carolina law does prohibit the sale, trade, or giving away of dogs under eight weeks of age, as stated in South Carolina Code § 47-1-200, so breeders must be able to document puppies' ages. Local jurisdictions may have their own record-keeping requirements as part of kennel permits or business licenses.

Because South Carolina currently has no statewide dog breeder licensing requirement, there are no specific state penalties for breeding without a license. However, breeders must still comply with general animal cruelty laws found in South Carolina Code § 47-1-40, which provides graduated penalties for ill-treatment of animals. Violating local county or municipal kennel ordinances can result in fines and permit revocation according to local laws. The proposed Senate Bill 720 does not specify exact penalties in the publicly available text, but enforcement mechanisms would likely be established if the bill becomes law. Breeders who are required to have federal USDA licensing but operate without one can face federal penalties including fines, cease and desist orders, and potential criminal prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act. Selling puppies under eight weeks of age violates South Carolina Code § 47-1-200 and can result in penalties. Recent legislative proposals from March 2026 indicate lawmakers are seeking stronger enforcement tools to combat puppy mills and substandard breeding operations.