Is it legal to own a raccoon in Utah?
The short answer
No. Utah bars holding raccoons in captivity as pets. Raccoon control sits with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, not the wildlife division, and its rule prohibits possession except under narrow Ag-issued authorizations.
What Utah law says
Utah Code section 4-23-11 and Rule R58-14 (Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Board) prohibit importing, holding in captivity, or possessing raccoons and coyotes except as the Department of Agriculture allows; DWR's bird-and-mammal table opens no pet pathway either.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Utah
Utah Dept. of Agriculture and Food is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Utah.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Department of Agriculture authorizations for damage control; not personal pets.
Penalties for owning a raccoon illegally
Class B misdemeanor with seizure; rabies-vector protocols apply to any bite exposure.
Local city and county rules
State rule controls; cities and counties may add their own nuisance-wildlife ordinances.
Legal alternatives in Utah
- Sugar Glider in Utah — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Fennec Fox in Utah — 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 raccoon I found in Utah?
No. Possession itself is prohibited under R58-14 - contact a licensed rehabilitator or the Department of Agriculture.
Why does Agriculture, not Wildlife, handle raccoons?
Utah treats raccoons and coyotes as agricultural-damage species, so the Damage Prevention Board's Rule R58-14 governs captivity.
Sources
- Utah Admin. Code R58-14 - Holding Live Raccoons or Coyotes in Captivity
- UT R657-3 - Animal Legal & Historical Center
More animals in Utah
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Utah?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Utah?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Utah?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Utah 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 Utah Dept. of Agriculture and Food and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.