Exotic pet laws in North Dakota
Every animal in our directory, checked against North Dakota Department of Agriculture - State Board of Animal Health rules and North Dakota statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.
All animals: status at a glance
| Animal | Status | Statute | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | N.D. Cent. Code § 36-01-08.4 | 2026-07-03 |
| Monkey | Permit Required | N.D. Admin. Code 48.1-09-01-02, 48.1-09-01-03 | 2026-07-03 |
| Serval | Permit Required | N.D. Admin. Code 48.1-09-01-02(2), 48.1-09-01-03 | 2026-07-03 |
| Fennec Fox | Unclear | N.D. Admin. Code 48.1-09-01-02(6) | 2026-07-03 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | N.D. Admin. Code 48.1-09-01-02(4) | 2026-07-03 |
| Hedgehog | Legal | N.D. Admin. Code art. 48.1-09 (Category 1 nontraditional livestock) | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | N.D. Admin. Code art. 48.1-09 (ferret = Category 1) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in North Dakota
- Raccoon — Skunks and raccoons may not be kept in captivity or imported - full stop
Permit-required animals in North Dakota
Legal without a permit in North Dakota
- Sugar Glider — Sugar gliders are expressly exempt from nontraditional-livestock requirements
- Hedgehog — Legal — hedgehogs are Category 1 nontraditional livestock (no license needed)
- Ferret — Legal — Category 1 nontraditional livestock; no license required
How North Dakota regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with North Dakota Department of Agriculture - State Board of Animal Health. Statewide statute sets the floor; cities and counties frequently layer stricter bans on top, so always check your municipal code as well as the entries above.
Research directory, not legal advice. Verify current rules with North Dakota Department of Agriculture - State Board of Animal Health before acquiring any animal.