Is it legal to own a monkey in Virginia?
The short answer
Yes, surprisingly. Virginia's exotic animal regulation works by list, and primates are not on it. Subsection H of 4VAC15-30-40 says all unlisted nonnative animals 'may be possessed, purchased, and sold' subject to other laws. That makes Virginia one of the notable monkey-legal states — with the usual heavy local caveats (several Northern Virginia jurisdictions prohibit primates).
What Virginia law says
We verified this against the current regulation text: the mammal table covers pigs, deer, canids, bears, procyonids, mustelids, viverrids, hyenas, cats, bats, and certain rodents and rabbits — no primates. Unlisted species fall under subsection H's general allowance.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Virginia
No state agency regulates monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Virginia — authority rests with local animal control. See the state wildlife agency for related rules.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None at the state level for possession; local ordinance penalties where applicable.
Local city and county rules
Fairfax County, Arlington, and other localities restrict or ban primates — the county code is your controlling law.
Legal alternatives in Virginia
- Sugar Glider in Virginia — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really legal to own a monkey in Virginia?
At the state level, yes — primates aren't on the 4VAC15-30-40 list, and unlisted exotics may be possessed under subsection H. Your city or county ordinance is the real gate, and several Northern Virginia localities ban primates.
Why do some sites say monkeys need permits in Virginia?
They misread the regulation's structure. The permit requirement applies only to listed species; primates aren't listed. We verified against the current official text.
Sources
More animals in Virginia
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Virginia?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Virginia?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Virginia?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Virginia 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 your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.