Aurora, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned pets
- Bears, wolves, coyotes, big cats, venomous reptiles
- Exempt
- Licensed zoos, exhibits, research labs
- Penalty
- $100–$2,500/day plus Misdemeanor III
- Enforcer
- Animal Care & Control director
Summary
Aurora, Illinois bans owning, keeping or harboring any 'dangerous animal' as a pet, a defined list running from bears, wolves and coyotes to big cats, venomous reptiles and primates, anywhere in the city.
No person shall own, keep or harbor within the city a dangerous animal. Any animal, snake, reptile, lizard, rodent or other creature defined as a dangerous animal is declared a public nuisance, and such animal may be impounded by the director, his or her designee, or an animal control officer. If such animal cannot be relocated safely to an entity licensed to handle the dangerous animal in the sole discretion of the director, the director may order the humane destruction of such animal. This section shall not apply to properly zoned, licensed and constructed zoos, animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, federally licensed exhibits, circuses, animal refuges, scientific or research laboratories of educational or other licensed institutions, or other enterprise.
(Ord. No. O94-18, § 1, 3-1-94; Ord. No. O94-97, § 3, 9-20-94; Ord. No. O95-87, § 1, 10-17-95; Ord. No. O00-32, § 1, 3-28-00; Ord. No. O07-98, § 1, 8-28-07)
Editor's note— Formerly § 9-15.
HISTORY Amended by Ord. O22-035 on 5/10/2022
Full Breakdown
Aurora Code of Ordinances § 9-14 makes it unlawful to own, keep or harbor a dangerous animal within the city. § 9-1 defines 'dangerous animal' as any wild or exotic species not indigenous to Illinois and not commonly domestic, naming bears, wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes, big cats (lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats), alligators, crocodiles, venomous snakes and reptiles, apes, baboons, macaques, bison and rodents over one pound (guinea pigs excepted). Any such animal found in the city is a public nuisance subject to impoundment, and the director may order humane destruction if safe relocation to a licensed facility isn't possible. Zoos, licensed exhibits and research labs are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a dangerous animal is a public nuisance triggering impoundment or humane destruction, plus §9-32 fines of $100 to $2,500 per violation per day; §9-14 violations can also be charged as a Misdemeanor III.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet fox or wolf-dog hybrid in Aurora?
What happens to a seized dangerous animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
Compare Aurora to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle exotic pets.