{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6537.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6537.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6537.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6537.html"}],"law_id":81839,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81839,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537","catch_line":"Ordinances; penalties","history":"1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.54; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.84; 2005, c. 307; 2008, c. 860.","full_text":"The governing body of any locality may, by ordinance, require a person operating a pet shop or operating as a dealer in companion animals to obtain a permit. Such local governing body may charge no more than $50 per year for such permit. The revenues derived therefrom shall be used for the administration and enforcement of such ordinance.\n\t\tThe aforementioned ordinance may provide: (i) that records be kept by the permittees as are deemed necessary; (ii) for public hearing prior to issuance, renewal or revocation of any such permit; or (iii) for the denial of issuance, denial of renewal or for the revocation of such permit for fraudulent practices or inhumane treatment of the animals dealt with by the permittee.\n\t\tThe ordinance may provide for either a criminal penalty not to exceed a Class 3 misdemeanor or a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for any violation of the ordinance. Any civil penalties collected shall be deposited by the local treasurer pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-6534.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":293197,"text":"The governing body of any locality may, by ordinance, require a person operating a pet shop or operating as a dealer in companion animals to obtain a permit. Such local governing body may charge no more than $50 per year for such permit. The revenues derived therefrom shall be used for the administration and enforcement of such ordinance.\n\t\tThe aforementioned ordinance may provide: (i) that records be kept by the permittees as are deemed necessary; (ii) for public hearing prior to issuance, renewal or revocation of any such permit; or (iii) for the denial of issuance, denial of renewal or for the revocation of such permit for fraudulent practices or inhumane treatment of the animals dealt with by the permittee.\n\t\tThe ordinance may provide for either a criminal penalty not to exceed a Class 3 misdemeanor or a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for any violation of the ordinance. Any civil penalties collected shall be deposited by the local treasurer pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-6534.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13171,"edition_id":1,"name":"Authority of Local Governing Bodies","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13170,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198807,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13171,"identifier":"6","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13170,"edition_id":1,"name":"Comprehensive Animal Care","identifier":"65","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13169,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198459,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13170,"identifier":"65","token":"3.2\/V\/65","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13169,"edition_id":1,"name":"Domestic Animals","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12793,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198133,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13169,"identifier":"V","token":"3.2\/V","url":"\/3.2\/V\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12793,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":193939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12793,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81839,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537","catch_line":"Ordinances; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6537\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537","metadata":false},{"id":74955,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537.1","catch_line":"Cash bond for a pet shop obtaining certain dogs","url":"\/3.2-6537.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537.1","metadata":false},{"id":75887,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6538","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6538\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6538","metadata":false},{"id":54470,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6539","catch_line":"Ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash","url":"\/3.2-6539\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6539","metadata":false},{"id":86290,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","url":"\/3.2-6540\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540","metadata":false},{"id":78978,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.01","catch_line":"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding","url":"\/3.2-6540.01\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.01","metadata":false},{"id":61898,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.02","metadata":false},{"id":76550,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.03","metadata":false},{"id":54186,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.04","catch_line":"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.04\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.04","metadata":false},{"id":82525,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.1","catch_line":"Vicious dogs; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6540.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.1","metadata":false},{"id":64609,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6541","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit training of attack dogs","url":"\/3.2-6541\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541","metadata":false},{"id":67596,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6541.1","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit ownership of particular breed","url":"\/3.2-6541.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541.1","metadata":false},{"id":60877,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542","catch_line":"Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry","url":"\/3.2-6542\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542","metadata":false},{"id":71489,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542.1","catch_line":"Renewal of dangerous dog registration","url":"\/3.2-6542.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.1","metadata":false},{"id":81226,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542.2","catch_line":"Dangerous dog fees; local fund","url":"\/3.2-6542.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.2","metadata":false},{"id":78689,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6543","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may adopt certain ordinances","url":"\/3.2-6543\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543","metadata":false},{"id":66579,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6543.1","catch_line":"Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance","url":"\/3.2-6543.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543.1","metadata":false},{"id":64002,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6544","catch_line":"Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl","url":"\/3.2-6544\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6544","metadata":false},{"id":65760,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6545","catch_line":"Regulation of sale of animals procured from animal shelters","url":"\/3.2-6545\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6545","metadata":false},{"id":84667,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6546","catch_line":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6546\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6546","metadata":false},{"id":73172,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6547","catch_line":"Acceptance of animals for research or experimentation; prohibition","url":"\/3.2-6547\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6547","metadata":false},{"id":83344,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6548","catch_line":"Private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6548\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6548","metadata":false},{"id":86437,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6549","catch_line":"Releasing agencies other than public or private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of companion animals; recordkeeping; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6549\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6549","metadata":false},{"id":85287,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6550","catch_line":"Requirements for foster homes; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6550\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6550","metadata":false},{"id":67608,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6551","catch_line":"Notification by individuals finding companion animals; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6551\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6551","metadata":false},{"id":76046,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6552","catch_line":"Dogs killing, injuring, or chasing livestock or poultry","url":"\/3.2-6552\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6552","metadata":false},{"id":74206,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6553","catch_line":"Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dogs","url":"\/3.2-6553\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6553","metadata":false},{"id":68901,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6554","catch_line":"Disposal of dead companion animals","url":"\/3.2-6554\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6554","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":74955,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537.1","catch_line":"Cash bond for a pet shop obtaining certain dogs","url":"\/3.2-6537.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6537\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 492 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1987, chapter 488; in 2005, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0307\">307<\/a>; in 2008, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?081+ful+CHAP0860\">860<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":74660,"section_number":"19.2-392.12","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction by petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.12\/"},{"id":74582,"section_number":"3.2-6513.2","catch_line":"Rental or lease of dog or cat prohibited; requirements for financing a dog or cat; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6513.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84310,"section_number":"3.2-6534","catch_line":"Disposition of funds","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6534\/"}],"permalink":{"id":198809,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81839,"identifier":"3.2-6537","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537","url":"\/3.2-6537\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6537\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537","dublin_core":{"Title":"Ordinances; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6537","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The governing body of any locality may, by <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>, require a person operating a <span class=\"dictionary\">pet shop<\/span> or operating as a <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> in <span class=\"dictionary\">companion animals<\/span> to obtain a permit. Such local governing body may charge no more than $50 per year for such permit. The revenues derived therefrom shall be used for the administration and enforcement of such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>.\n\t\tThe aforementioned <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> may provide: (i) that records be kept by the permittees as are deemed necessary; (ii) for public <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> prior to issuance, renewal or <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span> of any such permit; or (iii) for the denial of issuance, denial of renewal or for the <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span> of such permit for fraudulent practices or inhumane <span class=\"dictionary\">treatment<\/span> of the animals dealt with by the permittee.\n\t\tThe <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> may provide for either a criminal <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> not to exceed a Class 3 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span> or a civil <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> not to exceed $500 for any violation of the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>. Any civil penalties collected shall be deposited by the local <span class=\"dictionary\">treasurer<\/span> pursuant to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Disposition of funds\" href=\"\/3.2-6534\/\">3.2-6534<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nORDINANCES; PENALTIES (\u00a7 3.2-6537)\n\nThe governing body of any locality may, by ordinance, require a person operating\na pet shop or operating as a dealer in companion animals to obtain a permit.\nSuch local governing body may charge no more than $50 per year for such permit.\nThe revenues derived therefrom shall be used for the administration and\nenforcement of such ordinance.\n\t\tThe aforementioned ordinance may provide: (i) that records be kept by the\npermittees as are deemed necessary; (ii) for public hearing prior to issuance,\nrenewal or revocation of any such permit; or (iii) for the denial of issuance,\ndenial of renewal or for the revocation of such permit for fraudulent practices\nor inhumane treatment of the animals dealt with by the permittee.\n\t\tThe ordinance may provide for either a criminal penalty not to exceed a Class\n3 misdemeanor or a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for any violation of the\nordinance. Any civil penalties collected shall be deposited by the local\ntreasurer pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-6534.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.54; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.84; 2005, c. 307;\n2008, c. 860.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}