Is it legal to own a monkey in Pennsylvania?
The short answer
Unclear — and we say that deliberately. Pennsylvania's statutory 'exotic wildlife' definition (34 Pa.C.S. §2961) lists bears, big cats, wolves, and coyotes, not primates, and published guidance on pet monkeys in Pennsylvania is contradictory. Some sources treat monkeys as unregulated at the state level; others report PGC asserting permit authority. Before acting, get a written answer from the Game Commission's Special Permits Enforcement Division.
What Pennsylvania law says
The Game and Wildlife Code defines exotic wildlife by list, and primates aren't on it. PGC regulations expand coverage for cats and canids specifically — again not primates. That leaves pet monkeys in a statutory gap where PGC practice, Department of Agriculture rules, and local ordinances all matter more than any single clear statute. This is exactly the kind of entry where we won't guess: call PGC and your municipality.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Game Commission, Special Permits Enforcement Division is the authority for monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Pennsylvania.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
No permit is required at the state level. Exhibitors, research institutions, and menagerie permittees operate under separate PGC permits.
Penalties and enforcement
Depends on how possession is classified; unlawful wildlife possession penalties under the Game Code apply if PGC asserts jurisdiction.
Local city and county rules
Philadelphia and many municipalities ban primates outright by ordinance regardless of state-level ambiguity.
Legal alternatives in Pennsylvania
- Sugar Glider in Pennsylvania — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
So are pet monkeys legal in Pennsylvania or not?
The statute doesn't clearly cover them, and published guidance conflicts. Get written confirmation from PGC's Special Permits Enforcement Division and check your municipal code — that combination is your real answer.
Why is this entry marked 'unclear'?
Our policy is to reflect what the primary sources actually establish. Where a state's law is genuinely ambiguous, saying so is more useful than guessing.
Sources
- 34 Pa.C.S. ch. 29 — exotic wildlife definition
- Joint State Government Commission — Exotic Wildlife in Pennsylvania (study)
More animals in Pennsylvania
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Pennsylvania?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Pennsylvania?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Pennsylvania?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Pennsylvania page, or compare every state on the pet monkey laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-02 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Pennsylvania Game Commission, Special Permits Enforcement Division and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.