Is it legal to own a monkey in Iowa?
The short answer
No. Iowa's Dangerous Wild Animals law (Iowa Code ch. 717F) bans owning, possessing, breeding, or importing any nonhuman primate, listing the primate families by name in its definitions. Owners who legally held and registered a primate before the law took effect could keep that individual animal for its life, but new pet monkeys are prohibited.
What Iowa law says
Iowa Code § 717F.1 defines dangerous wild animals to include all members of the order Primates (family by family), and § 717F.3 prohibits owning, possessing, or transporting them into the state.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Iowa
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is the authority for monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Iowa.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Animals owned and registered with local authorities before Dec. 31, 2007 (grandfathered); AZA-accredited zoos, USDA-licensed research facilities and exhibitors, veterinarians providing care.
Penalties for owning a monkey illegally
Civil penalty of $200 to $2,000 per animal, plus seizure, disposition costs, and possible criminal charges.
Local city and county rules
Local ordinances are moot for primates - the statewide ban controls everywhere in Iowa.
Legal alternatives in Iowa
- Sugar Glider in Iowa — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a permit for a monkey in Iowa?
No. Chapter 717F is a ban, not a permit system - there is no application process for private primate ownership.
Sources
More animals in Iowa
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Iowa?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Iowa?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Iowa?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Iowa 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 Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.