Washington County, AR Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 700.01
- Trigger
- Keeping any exotic wild animal
- Required step
- Notify Animal Control Officer
- Enclosure standard
- USDA containment standards
- Signage
- 1 warning sign at roadway access
- Geographic reach
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Washington County does not ban exotic or wild animals outright. Code § 700.01 requires anyone who keeps one in the unincorporated county to notify the Animal Control Officer, cage or fence the animal to USDA standards, and post a warning sign at the property's public roadway access.
1) Any person, institution, or organization that chooses to keep and care for exotic wild animals, as defined in section 2.7-21, shall notify the Washington County Animal Control Officer in a manner prescribed by the Sheriff's Office. 2) Upon notification of an exotic wild animal being kept in the County, the Animal Control Officer may visit and review the manner of containment of said animals. 3) Exotic wild animals must be contained in a manner approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and must be contained in a cage, fence, walled enclosure, building, or any other structure that is of sound construction so as to prevent said animals from escaping. 4) Owners or caretakers of exotic wild animals shall post, at the nearest access to a public roadway, at least one (1) notification of such animals and warning against illegal or unsupervised entry on to the property.
Full Breakdown
7-21 (dangerous species outside zoos, aquariums, laboratories, circuses, licensed exhibitors, or licensed dealers). The keeper must notify the Washington County Animal Control Officer in the manner the Sheriff's Office prescribes, and the Animal Control Officer may then visit and review how the animal is contained. S. Department of Agriculture standards and consist of a cage, fence, walled enclosure, building, or other structure of sound construction built to prevent escape. Owners or caretakers must post at least one notification sign at the nearest public roadway access warning against illegal or unsupervised entry, and the Animal Control Officer provides a copy of the regulations to anyone who files a notification.
The section applies only to the unincorporated county and to incorporated municipalities that have not adopted a similar ordinance, and it binds current and future residents, institutions, and organizations alike. , meaning enforcement and penalties run through that same chapter.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 700.01 is punishable as set out in Code § 2.7-21 et seq., the same chapter governing exotic and dangerous animal offenses generally, meaning misdemeanor prosecution under § 2-21 with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and civil enforcement by the County Judge, Sheriff, or any individual to compel compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep an exotic wild animal in Washington County?
What kind of enclosure does the county require?
Does this rule apply inside Fayetteville or Springdale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Arkansas animal ordinances overview
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