Exotic pet laws in Ohio
Every animal in our directory, checked against Ohio Department of Agriculture / ODNR Division of Wildlife rules and Ohio 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 | Permit Required | ORC ch. 1533 | 2026-07-02 |
| Monkey | Partly Legal | ORC ch. 935 (Dangerous Wild Animals Act) | 2026-07-02 |
| Serval | Banned | ORC ch. 935 (serval listed as dangerous wild animal) | 2026-07-02 |
| Fennec Fox | Legal | Not listed in ORC ch. 935 | 2026-07-02 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | Not restricted under Ohio law | 2026-07-02 |
| Hedgehog | Legal | Ohio Rev. Code ch. 935 (hedgehogs not listed) | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | Ohio Rev. Code §935.01 (ferrets not listed) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in Ohio
- Serval — 'Dangerous wild animal' — new private ownership closed since 2014
Permit-required animals in Ohio
- Raccoon — Legal with an ODNR Noncommercial Wild Animal Propagation permit, captive-bred source
Partly legal in Ohio (local restrictions apply)
- Monkey — Split by species: lemurs, marmosets, capuchins, and squirrel monkeys allowed; most other primates are 'dangerous wild animals' closed to new private ownership
Legal without a permit in Ohio
- Fennec Fox — Legal — non-native, not a dangerous wild animal; no permit for captive-bred animals
- Sugar Glider — Legal statewide — no permit
- Hedgehog — Legal — not a 'dangerous wild animal' under Ohio Rev. Code ch. 935
- Ferret — Legal — not a 'dangerous wild animal' under ORC Chapter 935
How Ohio regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with Ohio Department of Agriculture / ODNR Division of Wildlife. 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 Ohio Department of Agriculture / ODNR Division of Wildlife before acquiring any animal.