Is it legal to own a monkey in Maryland?
The short answer
No. Maryland's statute bans all nonhuman primates as pets — naming lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, marmosets, lorises, and tamarins to remove any doubt.
What Maryland law says
Crim. Law §10-621 lists primates comprehensively; institutional exceptions only. No grandfather pathway remains open for new acquisitions.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Maryland
Maryland DNR / local animal control is the authority for monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Maryland.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a monkey illegally
Misdemeanor, fines up to $1,000 per animal, and seizure.
Local city and county rules
Statewide ban controls.
Legal alternatives in Maryland
- Sugar Glider in Maryland — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Are marmosets or finger monkeys exempt in Maryland?
No — the statute names marmosets expressly. All primates are banned regardless of size.
Sources
More animals in Maryland
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Maryland?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Maryland?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Maryland?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Maryland 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 Maryland DNR / local animal control and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.