Denton, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Denton Code of Ordinances Section 6-6 prohibits harboring dangerous wild animals as defined by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 Subchapter E within city limits. The state dangerous wild animal list includes lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, cougars, bears, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and hyenas, among others. Any person who owned a dangerous wild animal before the effective date of the state law must register with Denton Animal Services and maintain $100,000 liability insurance per animal. Enclosures must prevent escape and public contact. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 63 requires scientific, educational, or zoological permits for possession of protected nongame species including raptors, certain reptiles, and fur-bearing animals.

Venomous snakes require a controlled exotic snake permit under TX Parks and Wildlife regulations. Common exotic pets such as hedgehogs, sugar gliders, non-venomous reptiles, and ferrets are generally legal in Texas and Denton with no special permit, though ferrets require rabies vaccination under Denton Section 6-13. Denton Animal Services enforces exotic pet violations and works with TPWD for wildlife seizures.