Is it legal to own a raccoon in Virginia?
The short answer
No. Raccoons and all their relatives (family Procyonidae) are on Virginia's predatory and undesirable animal list, and DWR's special permits are issued for purposes consistent with wildlife management — not pets. Native wild raccoons are separately off-limits under Virginia's wildlife possession rules.
What Virginia law says
4VAC15-30-40's table lists all Procyonidae by family. Possession requires a special DWR permit that isn't available for personal pets; wild-caught natives are covered by separate take-and-possession prohibitions.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Virginia
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Virginia.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a raccoon illegally
Class 1 misdemeanor exposure under Virginia wildlife law, with confiscation; rabies-vector rules apply to bites.
Local city and county rules
Statewide rule controls; localities add restrictions only.
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
Can I get a Virginia permit for a pet raccoon?
No — DWR special permits under 4VAC15-30-40 serve wildlife-management-consistent purposes like exhibition and research, not pet ownership.
Can I keep a raccoon I found in Virginia?
No. Contact a DWR-permitted wildlife rehabilitator.
Sources
More animals in Virginia
- Is it legal to own a monkey 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 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 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.