Coon Rapids, MN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Chapter 6-500 applies to all animals except dogs, cats, domesticated birds, and bees regulated elsewhere in the code, and except limited agricultural livestock on large LDR-2 lots. Section 6-502 draws the line by defining domestic animals as small caged species like non-poisonous snakes, indoor birds, non-poisonous spiders, turtles, lizards, hamsters, chinchillas, mice, rabbits, gerbils, white rats, and guinea pigs. Everything else that is wild by nature or dangerous by disposition is a non-domestic animal, and the code specifically names skunks, raccoons, badgers, weasels, wild ferrets and foxes; big cats such as lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, cheetahs, ocelots, and servals (but not registered domestic house cat breeds); wolves, coyotes, dingos, and jackals and their crossbreeds with dogs; venomous and constricting snakes including rattlesnakes, cobras, mambas, boa constrictors, and pythons; venomous spiders; and apes, gorillas, monkeys, and other primates.

Section 6-503(1) makes it unlawful to keep, maintain, harbor, or feed any non-domestic animal in the city except where the chapter permits it, though a songbird feeding exception applies if feed is stored in rodent-proof containers and the feeder does not attract nuisance wildlife. The only path to lawfully keep a non-domestic animal is a temporary exhibition or public-zoo-volunteer permit from the City Council under Section 6-506, capped at 30 days and revocable if the animal becomes dangerous, unsanitary, or a nuisance. Animals kept unlawfully may be impounded under Section 6-504 and, if unredeemed after five days, destroyed or humanely disposed of, with the owner liable for impounding costs.