Coconino County, AZ Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Conditional Use Permit, Section 5.7
- State approval
- Arizona Game and Fish Dept., before applying
- Definition
- Non-native species not classified as livestock
- Granting body
- Planning and Zoning Commission, public hearing
- Appeal
- Board of Supervisors
- Max fine
- $750/day individual, $10,000/day entity
Summary
Unincorporated Coconino County requires a Conditional Use Permit before anyone may keep a wild, non-domesticated, or exotic animal, and the county will not accept the application without written approval from the Arizona Game and Fish Department first. The Zoning Ordinance defines an exotic animal as any species not native to North America and not already covered by the livestock definition.
J. Wild, non-domesticated, or Exotic Animals
i. May be allowed through the granting of a Conditional Use permit.
a. Written approval from Arizona Game and Fish Department is required prior to application.
3.3.E. Permits and Administration
1. Permits are not required for Agriculture and Animal Keeping unless otherwise noted.
2. Performance and Permitting do not alleviate the applicant from the duty of obtaining all applicable Building, Environmental Quality, Engineering, County Health Department, and other State and federal permits as they apply.
EXOTIC ANIMALS shall mean animals that are not native to North America that are not included within the definition of Livestock.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
' The sequencing matters: the county will not open a Conditional Use Permit file until the state wildlife agency has already signed off, so a resident cannot start the local process and seek Game and Fish approval afterward. D. 7 procedure: the Community Development Director investigates and reports on the application, the Planning and Zoning Commission holds at least one public hearing and can grant, deny, or attach conditions, and a denial or condition may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors. E further clarifies that the county's Conditional Use Permit does not substitute for any state or federal Building, Environmental Quality, Engineering, or County Health Department permit the keeping of the animal separately triggers.
Violations & Fines
Keeping an exotic or wild animal without the required Conditional Use Permit is a zoning violation and, under Section 5.14.B, a public nuisance per se, with each day of the unpermitted use counted as a separate offense. The Hearing Officer can impose civil or criminal fines of up to $750 per day for an individual under Section 5.14.C.4.A(iii), and the county may withhold Building and Zoning Permits on the property until the violation is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Conditional Use Permit for an exotic animal without Game and Fish approval?
What counts as an exotic animal under county zoning?
Who decides whether I can keep an exotic animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coconino County
Compare Coconino County to another location·View the Arizona animal ordinances overview
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