Boston, MA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

9.01: Exemption List — Pursuant to the authority granted in M.G.L. c. 131, § 23, herewith is established a list of species which are exempt from the licensing provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 23. This list includes wild (i.e., non-domesticated) vertebrate animals which may be imported, sold or possessed without a permit. [...] (3) Categorical Non-exemptions: No species in any of the following categories may be exempted: (a) Threatened or endangered species listed pursuant to the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended; (b) Species listed in the Red Book(-s) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature; (c) Species appearing on the Massachusetts list of endangered, threatened, and special concern species at 321 CMR 10.90. [...] (8) List of Fish. All aquarium trade fish may be kept without a permit except species categorically non-exempt pursuant to 321 CMR 9.01(3), and except that the following species are prohibited without a permit: (a) Grass Carp or White Amur (Ctenopharyngodon idella) (b) Piranha (Pygocentrus spp. and Serrasalmus spp.) (c) Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) (d) Walking Catfish (Clarias spp. and all members of the family Clariidae). [...] (b) Snakes: All venomous snakes require a permit. [...] (c) Lizards: The Gila Monster and Beaded Lizard (Heloderatidae) require a permit.