Is it legal to own a raccoon in Maryland?
The short answer
No. Maryland's criminal law names raccoons directly among animals that may not be kept as pets, alongside foxes, skunks, wild cats, and primates. There is no permit pathway.
What Maryland law says
Md. Code, Crim. Law §10-621 prohibits possessing, importing, selling, or trading listed animals as pets; raccoons are expressly named. Exceptions cover research, exhibitors, sanctuaries, and rehabilitators.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Maryland
Maryland DNR / local animal control is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Maryland.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a raccoon illegally
Misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 per animal, plus seizure; rabies-vector protocols apply.
Local city and county rules
Statewide ban controls; counties add stricter rules only.
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
Can I keep a raccoon I found in Maryland?
No — transfer it to a DNR-licensed rehabilitator. Possession itself is the crime.
Any permit for pet raccoons in Maryland?
None. §10-621's exceptions are institutional (research, exhibition, rehab), not personal.
Sources
More animals in Maryland
- Is it legal to own a monkey 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 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 Maryland DNR / local animal control and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.