Virginia House Bill 1238: Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session

What it does

Local ordinances; regulation of pet shops. Authorizes the governing body of any locality to, by ordinance, regulate or prohibit the sale of animals in a pet shop. Such ordinance may distinguish between certain types of pet shops and include provisions for special licensing, inspections, reporting, restrictions, or prohibitions on the sale of certain types of animals. The bill also includes certain existing statewide provisions related to pet shops in the list of sections for which a locality may adopt parallel or more stringent ordinances. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.

Latest action

Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N) (2026-02-24)

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