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Benton County, OR Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Benton County Code § 9.810
Species list
§ 9.805(4), 20 categories
Enforcement
Animal Control Officer, § 9.815
Fine
$500 per violation, $1,000 continuing
Key exemption
AZA/WAZA accredited facilities
Key exemption
state-licensed wildlife rescue/rehab

Summary

Unincorporated Benton County bans using wild or exotic animals, listed exhaustively in County Code § 9.805(4) from elephants and big cats to bears and primates, in traveling circuses, fairs, rides or similar displays. Section 9.810 makes participation unlawful outright, with narrow exemptions for accredited zoos, veterinary and wildlife-rehab facilities, and licensed research or 4-H programs. Violators face fines up to $500, or $1,000 for a continuing violation.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Benton County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(4)"Wild or Exotic Animal" means any live animals listed below, including any hybrid of such animal:(a)Hippopotamuses, giraffes, camels, deer, antelope, and chevrotains;(b)Alligators, crocodiles and camans; ... (e)Tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, panthers, cheetahs, cougars, lynx, bobcat, ocelot, margay, Fisher cats, and European wild cats but excluding domestic cats; ... (h)Apes, monkeys, lemurs, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos; ... 9.810 - Prohibitions.(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to allow for the participation of an animal listed in Section 9.805(4) in a traveling animal display.

View official code

Full Breakdown

805 defines a 'Wild or Exotic Animal' with a species-by-species list that runs from hippopotamuses, giraffes, camels, deer and antelope, through alligators, crocodiles, sharks, elephants, big cats (tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, cougars and more), hyenas, kangaroos and other marsupials, primates (apes, monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees), rhinoceroses and zebras, seals and sea lions, ostriches, bears, wild canids, whales and dolphins, and several other groups down to monitor lizards and Komodo dragons, together with any hybrid of a listed species. A 'Traveling Animal Display' is any exhibition, fair, act, circus, ride, trade show, carnival, race or parade where a listed animal performs, gives rides, fights or otherwise participates for entertainment, whether or not a fee is charged, and the animal is moved to, from, or between locations in a mobile housing facility. 368. 815).

Violations & Fines

A conviction for allowing a listed wild or exotic animal to participate in a traveling display is a Chapter 9 violation of County law, punishable by a fine of $500 for each separate violation and $1,000 for a continuing violation, with each day of ongoing noncompliance treated as a separate, separately punishable offense (§ 9.820). Courts may add other compliance conditions, and the county can pursue any other legal or equitable remedy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Benton County ban owning an exotic pet like a tiger or monkey?
The county's rule targets traveling displays, not private possession generally. Section 9.810 makes it unlawful to let a listed wild or exotic animal, which includes big cats and primates, participate in a circus, fair, ride or similar traveling exhibition anywhere in the county, whether or not admission is charged.
Are zoos and wildlife sanctuaries exempt from the ban?
Yes. Section 9.810(2)(a) exempts any facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and 9.810(2)(b) separately exempts veterinary clinics and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facilities licensed by the State of Oregon.
Can a traveling circus pass through Benton County with exotic animals?
Only briefly. Section 9.810(2)(e) exempts persons temporarily transporting a listed animal through the county for no more than three days, provided the animal is not presented for any display while in the county; actually staging a display still triggers the ban.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Benton County

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsWildlife Rescue PermitsFew RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsBird ProtectionSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Wildfire ZonesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree TrimmingSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSignificant RestrictionsHistoric Preservation: Historic-Cultural MonumentsSignificant RestrictionsInvasive Plant Rules: Prohibited SpeciesSome Restrictions

All Benton County rules

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