Carmel, IN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

No Carmel City Code section regulates exotic pets, and the Hamilton County ordinance that applies inside Carmel routes wildlife to the state: Sec. 15-2.1-1-20 (Wildlife) says, 'For provisions on wildlife, see IAC title 312: Natural Resources Commission, article 9: Fish and Wildlife.' Indiana's Wild Animal Possession Permit law (IC 14-22-26) and rule 312 IAC 9-11 require a permit, with a statutory fee of ten dollars ($10) (IC 14-22-26-4) and a separate permit for each animal. The rule classifies regulated wild animals into three tiers: Class I — not a public-safety threat, such as cottontail rabbit and squirrels; Class II — may pose a threat, including beaver, coyote, red and gray fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, skunk, weasel and smaller exotic cats (serval, leopard cat); and Class III — a real or potential threat, namely purebred wolves, all bears, wild cats other than those in Class II and feral cats, venomous reptiles, and crocodilians at least five (5) feet long. Class I and II permits are applied for within five days of taking possession; a Class III permit must be obtained before acquiring the animal and requires a written recapture/destruction plan and strict caging (e.g., a six-foot perimeter fence). A hybrid of a regulated species with a domestic dog or cat is exempt. Common domestic exotics — most pet reptiles, ferrets, birds and hamsters — fall outside the wild-animal rule and are treated as ordinary pets; the county code's 'Domestic Animal' definition includes rabbits, lizards, ferrets, snakes and birds.