Charlotte, NC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 3-73(a) makes it unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, possess or control a venomous reptile or any other wild or exotic animal anywhere in the city. Subsection (c) is explicit that the city does not authorize permits for keeping wild or exotic animals, so there is no application process a resident can use to legalize one. The only exemptions, in subsection (b), are lawfully operated and located pet shops, zoological gardens, scientific research laboratories, veterinarians treating such animals, and wildlife rehabilitators who hold proper permits, and only if the animals are confined so they cannot escape.

Subsection (d) requires that even exempt animals meet the state wildlife commission's regulations, federal Animal Welfare Act minimum standards, and USDA rules, and be confined so the safety and property of anyone lawfully on the premises is not endangered. Subsection (e) bars exempt venomous reptiles and wild or exotic animals from any public street, sidewalk or public way unless they are inside a fully enclosed cage or an equally adequate structural restraint; a leash, muzzled or not, does not satisfy this requirement. Residents in newly annexed areas get 30 days from annexation to bring an existing animal into compliance, which in practice means surrendering or relocating it since no local permit exists.