Is it legal to own a monkey in Vermont?
The short answer
No. Nonhuman primates aren't on Vermont's Unrestricted Wild Animals List, and Vermont's rule blocks the Commissioner from issuing possession permits for wild animals as pets — only scientific and educational permits are available. There's no pet-monkey path in Vermont.
What Vermont law says
10 App. V.S.A. §18 prohibits possessing unlisted live wild animals without a permit, and §5.1(a) bars captivity permits except for bona fide scientific or educational use; primates are absent from the unrestricted list.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Vermont
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. is the authority for monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Vermont.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Bona fide scientific or educational permits only.
Penalties for owning a monkey illegally
Unlawful possession may lead to confiscation and disposal under 10 V.S.A. §4513 and fines.
Local city and county rules
Municipal rules may add restrictions; none create a pet-primate permit.
Legal alternatives in Vermont
- Sugar Glider in Vermont — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Are any pet monkeys legal in Vermont?
No — permits for wild animals are limited to research and education, not companionship.
Can I move to Vermont with a pet monkey?
You can't import a wild animal for pet purposes without a qualifying permit, which pets don't get.
Sources
- 10 App. V.S.A. §18 — Importation & Possession of Wild Animals
- VT Fish & Wildlife — Importation & Possession Rules
More animals in Vermont
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Vermont?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Vermont?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Vermont?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Vermont page, or compare every state on the pet monkey 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 Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.