Is it legal to own a raccoon in Maine?
The short answer
Not really. Maine treats the raccoon as restricted native wildlife, so keeping one requires an IF&W permit that is essentially never granted for pet ownership. Rabies-vector rules make casual possession a non-starter. Practically, a pet raccoon is off the table.
What Maine law says
Under 12 M.R.S. §12152 and IF&W Rule Chapter 7, any wildlife not on the Unrestricted List needs an importation/possession permit; raccoons are a restricted native species with permits limited to serious husbandry, rehab, exhibition, or research.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Maine
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Maine.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
Yes — the Wildlife Possession / Importation Permit (Restricted Species), issued by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (Varies by permit type; application fee applies). Licensed rehabilitators, exhibitors, and research/USDA facilities may qualify.
Penalties and enforcement
Illegal possession is a civil/criminal wildlife violation with fines and seizure; rabies-vector protocols may require euthanasia and testing.
Local city and county rules
Towns may add their own bans; a state permit never overrides a stricter municipal ordinance.
Legal alternatives in Maine
- Sugar Glider in Maine — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Fennec Fox in Maine — 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 raccoon I found in Maine?
No — bring it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Personal possession isn't permitted.
Is a pet raccoon permit realistic?
No. Restricted-species permits are aimed at professionals, not pet owners, and raccoons are rabies-vector animals.
Sources
More animals in Maine
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Maine?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Maine?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Maine?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Maine page, or compare every state on the pet raccoon 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 Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.