Exotic pet laws in South Carolina
Every animal in our directory, checked against South Carolina Department of Natural Resources rules and South Carolina 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 | S.C. Code Ann. Rabies Control Act (Title 47) | 2026-07-03 |
| Monkey | Partly Legal | S.C. Code Ann. Title 47, Ch. 2 (Large Wild Cats, Non-Native Bears and Great Apes) | 2026-07-03 |
| Serval | Legal | S.C. Code Ann. Title 47, Ch. 2 | 2026-07-03 |
| Fennec Fox | Unclear | S.C. Code Ann. Rabies Control Act (Title 47) | 2026-07-03 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | S.C. Code Ann. Title 50, Ch. 16 (Importation of Wildlife) | 2026-07-03 |
| Hedgehog | Legal | S.C. Code §47-5-50 (hedgehogs not listed) | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | S.C. Code Ann. §47-5-50 | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in South Carolina
- Raccoon — Raccoons are furbearers and 'nondomesticated carnivores' barred from private ownership by SC's Rabies Control Act.
Partly legal in South Carolina (local restrictions apply)
- Monkey — Great apes are banned (2018 law); smaller monkeys/macaques are not prohibited by state statute.
Legal without a permit in South Carolina
- Serval — Servals aren't 'large wild cats' under the 2018 ban; no state permit required.
- Sugar Glider — Sugar gliders are not on any SC prohibited or restricted list; no permit required.
- Hedgehog — Legal — hedgehogs are outside South Carolina's exotic-animal restrictions
- Ferret — Legal — expressly exempt from the wild-carnivore sale ban; annual rabies vaccination required
How South Carolina regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 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 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources before acquiring any animal.