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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81839</law_id><section_number>3.2-6537</section_number><catch_line>Ordinances; penalties</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>19.2-392.12</reference><reference>3.2-6513.2</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="V">Domestic Animals</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="65">Comprehensive Animal Care</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="6">Authority of Local Governing Bodies</unit></structure><text>
						<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>.
		The 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.
		The <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 &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Disposition of funds" href="/3.2-6534/">3.2-6534</a>.</p></section></text><history>1984, c. 492, &#xA7; 29-213.54; 1987, c. 488, &#xA7; 3.1-796.84; 2005, c. 307; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
