Cincinnati, OH Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

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.