Is it legal to own a monkey in Massachusetts?
The short answer
No. No primate appears on Massachusetts' exemption list, and captivity licenses are institutional only. All monkeys are banned as pets.
What Massachusetts law says
The 321 CMR 9.01 whitelist contains no primates; M.G.L. c. 131 §23 licensing excludes personal pets.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Massachusetts
MassWildlife (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife) is the authority for monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Massachusetts.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a monkey illegally
Criminal penalties and confiscation.
Local city and county rules
Statewide framework controls.
Legal alternatives in Massachusetts
- Sugar Glider in Massachusetts — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Are any primates legal in Massachusetts?
None — the exemption list contains no primates, and there's no pet license.
Sources
More animals in Massachusetts
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Massachusetts?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Massachusetts?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Massachusetts?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Massachusetts 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 MassWildlife (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.