Cincinnati, OH Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- ORC Chapter 935
- Effective Date
- January 1, 2014
- Banned Animals
- Big cats, bears, wolves, primates
- Local Code
- CMC Chapter 701
- Penalty
- Up to 180 days / $1,000
Summary
Ohio law (ORC 935) bans private possession of big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and alligators. The 2012 Dangerous Wild Animals Act took full effect January 2014. CMC Chapter 701 adds local restrictions.
(A) No person shall possess a dangerous wild animal on or after January 1, 2014. (B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (G)(1) and (2) of section 935.06 of the Revised Code, no person shall acquire, buy, sell, trade, or transfer possession or ownership of a dangerous wild animal on or after the effective date of this section.
(2) Notwithstanding division (B)(1) of this section, a person that operates a rescue facility may acquire, except by purchase, possession or ownership of a dangerous wild animal if one of the following applies:
(a) Prior to January 1, 2014, the person is authorized to do so by the director of agriculture in accordance with procedures adopted by the director.
(b) On or after January 1, 2014, the person has obtained a rescue facility permit under section 935.101 of the Revised Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Exotic pet ownership in Cincinnati is heavily regulated at both the state and local level. The Ohio Dangerous Wild Animals Act (ORC Chapter 935), signed in 2012 and effective January 1, 2014, prohibits private possession of dangerous wild animals including lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, cougars, bears, hyenas, gray wolves, alligators, crocodiles, komodo dragons, and nonhuman primates other than lemurs. Savannah cats (serval-domestic hybrids) are exempt from the serval ban. Existing owners who possessed animals before the effective date could keep them under a grandfather provision with registration.
The state law also restricts certain venomous snakes. At the local level, CMC Chapter 701 (Animals, Birds, Fowl) governs animal keeping within city limits. Cincinnati prohibits keeping certain animals without proper permits and requires owners of any permitted exotic animals to meet specific housing and care standards, undergo training, and submit to inspections. The Cincinnati Zoo and other accredited facilities are exempt. Violations of ORC 935 carry significant penalties including seizure of the animal.
Violations & Fines
Violating ORC 935 is a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail and $1,000 fine). Animals may be seized and placed with an accredited facility. Local violations under CMC Chapter 701 carry separate fines. Contact Cincinnati Animal CARE at (513) 541-7387.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a monkey in Cincinnati?
Are savannah cats legal in Cincinnati?
What about animals I owned before the 2012 law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cincinnati
Compare Cincinnati to another location·View the Ohio animal ordinances overview
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