Cedar Rapids, IA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Base rule
- Outright ban, city limits, § 23.21(a)
- Covered animals
- Primates, big cats, bears, venomous snakes, more
- Exemptions
- Zoos, museums, licensed shows, vet care, state permits
- Enforcement
- Seizure, impoundment, possible on-site destruction
- Conviction penalty basis
- Iowa Code § 364.22
- Cost on conviction
- Owner pays confinement/vet/destruction costs
Summary
Cedar Rapids bans owning, keeping or harboring any wild, exotic or dangerous animal within city limits under Section 23.21(a). Narrow exemptions cover accredited zoos, museums and research institutions, licensed circuses and traveling shows, veterinary hospitals treating the animal, and animals under state, federal or Iowa Conservation Commission authority, all conditioned on Animal Welfare Act compliance.
(a)No person shall own, keep or harbor a wild or exotic animal or dangerous animal within the city.(b)The following are hereby excluded from the requirements of this section only if they are in compliance with the State and Federal Animal Welfare Act and other regulations:1.Public zoos; fully accredited educational or medical institutions; Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter; public museums where such dangerous animals are kept as live specimens for public viewing; or for the purpose of instruction and research;2.Exhibitions to the public by a traveling circus, carnival, exhibit or show, duly licensed in accordance with the ordinances of the City of Cedar Rapids;3.Wild or exotic animals or dangerous animals in a licensed veterinary hospital for treatment;4.Wild or exotic animals or dangerous animals under the jurisdiction of and in the possession of the Iowa Conservation Commission.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24).
Full Breakdown
1(8)-(10). 21(b) exempts six categories, all conditioned on compliance with state and federal Animal Welfare Act rules: public zoos, accredited educational or medical institutions, the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter, and public museums displaying the animals as live specimens for viewing or research; licensed traveling circuses, carnivals and shows; the animals while at a licensed veterinary hospital for treatment; animals under Iowa Conservation Commission jurisdiction; animals held under a state game breeder's or scientific collector's license; and animals maintained by federal, state, county or city government in enforcing this chapter.
22 governs what happens next: an Animal Control Officer can seize and impound a suspected wild, exotic or dangerous animal, and may humanely destroy it on the spot if capture would endanger the officer or the public. If an owner refuses entry to view a suspected animal, the officer can seek a search warrant from a magistrate. 22, which can include a court order to have the animal humanely destroyed or relocated, and the convicted owner pays all confinement, veterinary, destruction and relocation costs.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a banned wild, exotic or dangerous animal is prosecuted under Section 23.21, and a conviction carries the penalties of Iowa Code Section 364.22 referenced in Section 23.22(c), which can include a court-ordered abatement by having the animal humanely destroyed by the Animal Control Manager or a designee. On top of that penalty, a convicted owner must pay all confinement, veterinary, destruction and relocation expenses the seizure required, and the Animal Control Officer may relocate the animal instead of destroying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own an exotic snake in Cedar Rapids?
Does Cedar Rapids' exotic animal ban apply to zoos and museums?
What happens if Animal Control finds a banned animal in my home?
Can an officer enter my property to check for a wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Rapids
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