Is it legal to own a raccoon in Nebraska?
The short answer
Yes, with a permit. Raccoons are on Nebraska Game & Parks' list of species requiring a Captive Wildlife Permit, which costs $33 per year. You must buy from an authorized captive source (proof of purchase required - no taking from the wild), pass a conservation-officer inspection of your enclosure before the permit issues, and file annual reports.
What Nebraska law says
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-477(1) requires a permit to keep wild mammals in captivity, and § 37-479 sets up the Captive Wildlife Permit; Game & Parks lists raccoons among the species covered.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Nebraska
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Nebraska.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
Yes — the Captive Wildlife Permit, issued by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission ($33 per year). Licensed wildlife rehabilitators operating under separate rehab permits.
Penalties and enforcement
Misdemeanor prosecution under the Game Law, confiscation of the animal, and permit denial or revocation.
Local city and county rules
Game & Parks itself warns that raccoons are not allowed in some Nebraska cities and towns - check with local animal control before applying.
Legal alternatives in Nebraska
- Sugar Glider in Nebraska — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Fennec Fox in Nebraska — 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 wild raccoon I trapped in Nebraska?
No. Captive wildlife must come from an authorized captive source with proof of purchase - animals may not be taken from the wild.
What does the permit process involve?
Build your enclosure first, apply ($33), pass a conservation-officer inspection, then purchase the animal and report your inventory annually.
Sources
More animals in Nebraska
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Nebraska?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Nebraska?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Nebraska?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Nebraska 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 Nebraska Game & Parks Commission and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.