Is it legal to own a monkey in Idaho?
The short answer
It depends. Idaho lists non-human primates as deleterious exotic animals that may only be possessed on an AZA-accredited facility - with an explicit exception for capuchins, marmosets, spider monkeys, and squirrel monkeys, which aren't treated as deleterious. So most monkeys are effectively off-limits to pet owners, while those four named species fall outside the deleterious list.
What Idaho law says
Under IDAPA 02.04.27, all non-human primates are deleterious exotic animals requiring possession on an AZA-accredited facility, except capuchin, marmoset, spider monkey, and squirrel monkey, which the ISDA list carves out as non-deleterious.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Idaho
Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture is the authority for monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Idaho.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
Yes — the Deleterious Exotic Animal Possession Permit (AZA facility for most primates), issued by Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture. Capuchin, marmoset, spider monkey, and squirrel monkey are excluded from the deleterious list.
Penalties and enforcement
Unlawful possession penalties under Idaho ag rules with seizure.
Local city and county rules
Local ordinances may prohibit even the exempt small monkeys.
Legal alternatives in Idaho
- Sugar Glider in Idaho — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Fennec Fox in Idaho — The world's smallest fox — and one of the few foxes legal to own in several U.S. states.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep a capuchin in Idaho?
Capuchins are among the four monkeys ISDA excludes from the deleterious list, but confirm current status and check local ordinances before acquiring.
What about a marmoset?
Marmosets are on the carve-out too, unlike most primates, which require an AZA facility.
Sources
- ISDA - Deleterious Exotic Animals (primate carve-outs)
- IDAPA 02.04.27 - Rules Governing Deleterious Exotic Animals
More animals in Idaho
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Idaho?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Idaho?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Idaho?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Idaho page, or compare every state on the pet monkey laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-03 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.