Council Bluffs, IA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned species examples
- Lions, bears, wolves, alligators, venomous snakes
- Governing definition
- CBMC 4.20.020 dangerous animal, per se
- Zoo/vet exception
- Licensed institutions may keep them
- Removal order appeal
- Board of Review, then District Court
- Enforcing agency
- Animal Control, Department of Public Health
Summary
Council Bluffs bans keeping wild and dangerous animals as pets. CBMC 4.20.090 makes it unlawful to keep any animal defined as dangerous per se under CBMC 4.20.020, a list that names lions, bears, wolves, alligators, venomous snakes and dozens of other wild species by taxonomic family.
Dangerous animal, per se: The following animals which shall be deemed to be dangerous animals, per se: ... Carnivora of the family Felidae, which includes lions, lynx, bobcats, and hybrids, but excludes domestic cats; ... Carnivora of the family ... Ursidae, which includes bears; ... Crocodilia which includes crocodiles and alligators; ... Squamata of the suborder Ophidia (snakes) which are venomous or constrictors, not to include any nonvenomous snake indigenous to the state of Iowa. ... No person shall keep, shelter, or harbor as a pet, guardian, or for any other purpose within the city, a dangerous animal as defined herein except as provided by this code. ... The keeping of dangerous animals in ... a public zoo, bona fide educational or medical institution, museum or other place where they are kept as live specimens for the public to view, or for the purpose of instruction or study;
Full Breakdown
CBMC 4.20.020 defines 'dangerous animal, per se' as a specific roster of wild taxonomic groups: Carnivora of the family Felidae (lions, lynx, bobcats and hybrids, excluding domestic cats), family Canidae (wolves, foxes and hybrids, excluding domestic dogs), family Ursidae (bears), family Mustelidae (badgers, wolverines, weasels and skunks, except ferrets), Crocodilia (crocodiles and alligators), venomous or constricting snakes not native to Iowa, scorpions of the family Buthidae, elephants, and several rodent and bird families among others. CBMC 4.20.090 flatly prohibits keeping, sheltering or harboring any of these animals as a pet, guardian, or for any other purpose within city limits.
CBMC 4.20.100 carves out narrow exceptions: farm-district keeping of bulls or swine in an A-2 agricultural zone, public zoos and accredited educational or medical institutions, licensed circuses, carnivals and pet shops exhibiting to the public, bona fide licensed veterinary hospitals treating the animal, and animals in the custody of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Anyone who qualifies under CBMC 4.20.110 to keep a dangerous animal must report the species and number kept to the department of public health, keep it securely caged at all times, and, for venomous species, maintain ten doses of anti-venom on hand.
The administrative authority can order removal or destruction of an animal kept unlawfully, and an owner may appeal that order to the Board of Review under CBMC 4.20.132.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a prohibited dangerous animal is enforced through a removal order from the administrative authority; noncompliance lets Animal Control seize and impound the animal for seven days before it is sold or humanely destroyed if the owner has not petitioned Pottawattamie County District Court. Failing to comply with a Board of Review order is a misdemeanor under CBMC 8.02.020, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet wolf or big cat in Council Bluffs?
Are there exceptions for zoos or vets?
What happens if Animal Control finds a banned animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Council Bluffs
Compare Council Bluffs to another location·View the Iowa animal ordinances overview
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