Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Bernalillo County Code § 6-68
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
- Grandfather deadline
- Must have predated April 6, 1999
- Permit window
- 60 days to apply, plus annual fee
- Enforcement
- Animal Care Services; penalty under § 1-6
Summary
Bernalillo County bans owning, keeping, or exhibiting dangerous wild animals as pets in unincorporated areas, covering wolves, big cats, bears, primates, and venomous species, with narrow grandfather permits for animals held before April 6, 1999.
It shall be unlawful for a person to own, harbor, keep or exhibit on any private or public property in the county any wild animal of a species that in its natural life is dangerous or ferocious. Such animals, though they may be trained and domesticated, remain a danger to others, and include: (1)Wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes...(2)Lions, pumas, panthers, mountain lions, wild cats...(3)All bears (ursidae)...(5)Primates (hominidae)...(9)Alligators, crocodiles, caimans, or poisonous lizards.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-68 of the Bernalillo County Code bans owning, harboring, keeping, or exhibiting any wild animal that is naturally dangerous or ferocious anywhere in unincorporated Bernalillo County, even if trained or domesticated. Banned species include wolves and other non-domestic canines, lions and other non-domestic felines, bears, raccoons, primates, skunks, bats, non-indigenous poisonous snakes, alligators, poisonous lizards, venomous fish and piranha, and elephants. Anyone who lawfully held such an animal before April 6, 1999, could keep it for life by applying for a wild animal permit within 60 days and providing an escape-proof enclosure; no new animals could be added after that. Zoos, vets, and state- or federally permitted holders are exempt; Animal Care Services enforces the ban under section 1-6.
Violations & Fines
Owning a banned wild animal without a pre-1999 grandfathered permit violates section 6-68 and is punishable under section 1-6; officers may impound the animal pending court proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet wolf or other listed wild animal in Bernalillo County?
Does this ban apply inside Albuquerque?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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