Exotic pet laws in Delaware
Every animal in our directory, checked against Delaware Dept. of Agriculture, Poultry & Animal Health rules and Delaware statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.
All animals: status at a glance
| Animal | Status | Statute | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | 3 Del. C. Ch. 72 (exotic = non-native) | 2026-07-03 |
| Monkey | Permit Required | 3 Del. C. §§7201–7203 | 2026-07-03 |
| Serval | Permit Required | 3 Del. C. §§7201–7203 | 2026-07-03 |
| Fennec Fox | Permit Required | 3 Del. C. §§7201–7203 | 2026-07-03 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | 3 Del. Admin. Code 903-6.1.1 (Sugar gliders exempt) | 2026-07-03 |
| Hedgehog | Legal | 3 Del.C. ch. 72 | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | 3 Del. Admin. C. 903 (ferret exempt) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in Delaware
- Raccoon — Native to Delaware — DNREC-regulated and prohibited as a pet
Permit-required animals in Delaware
- Monkey — Primate class permitted by individual exotic-animal permit — in theory
- Serval — Non-native carnivore — individual exotic-animal permit required
- Fennec Fox — Non-native carnivore — individual exotic-animal permit ($25/3 yrs)
Legal without a permit in Delaware
- Sugar Glider — Expressly exempt from Delaware's exotic-permit requirement
- Hedgehog — Legal — hedgehogs are exempt from Delaware's exotic animal permit
- Ferret — Legal — exempt from Delaware's exotic animal permit under 3 Del. Admin. C. 903
How Delaware regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with Delaware Dept. of Agriculture, Poultry & Animal Health. Statewide statute sets the floor; cities and counties frequently layer stricter bans on top, so always check your municipal code as well as the entries above.
Research directory, not legal advice. Verify current rules with Delaware Dept. of Agriculture, Poultry & Animal Health before acquiring any animal.