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DuPage County, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Sec. 5-10, DuPage County Code
Permit exception
State/federal wildlife permit holders only
Fine range
$50 to $1,000 per offense
Max jail time
Up to 6 months
Enforcement
DuPage County Animal Services administrator

Summary

DuPage County bans keeping lions, tigers, bears, wolves, crocodilians, and poisonous reptiles as pets unless the owner holds a state or federal wildlife permit.

City-specific rules exist: Naperville has its own exotic pets rules that differ from DuPage County's county-level regulations. If you live in Naperville, check the city-specific page instead.

Possession of a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, any hybrid thereof, or any other similar feline animal, bear hyena, wolf coyote, wolf-dog or coyote-dog hybrid, any member of the crocodilian family, poisonous reptile, or any other life threatening reptile or any other animal which is feral naturae in the eyes of the law shall be prohibited except by any person or institution possessing state and/or federal permits enabling them to keep such animals.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Under Section 5-10, possession of big cats (lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, cougar, lynx, bobcat), bears, hyenas, wolves, coyotes, wolf-dog or coyote-dog hybrids, crocodilians, poisonous reptiles, and any other animal that is "feral naturae" is prohibited countywide. The only exception is a person or institution holding the required state and/or federal permits to keep such animals. Section 5-3(N) separately bars keeping or exhibiting any wild animal contrary to federal, state, or local law.

Violations & Fines

A misdemeanor under Section 5-13: fine of $50 to $1,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a pet tiger or wolf-dog hybrid in DuPage County?
No. Section 5-10 prohibits big cats, bears, wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, crocodilians, and poisonous reptiles unless you hold a state or federal permit to keep them.
What happens if I'm caught with a banned exotic animal?
It's a misdemeanor: a $50–$1,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, or both, and each day the animal remains is a separate violation under Section 5-13.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in DuPage County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSignificant RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsBeekeepingSome RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsMicrochippingSome RestrictionsPet Store RulesHeavy RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsBird ProtectionSignificant RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All DuPage County rules

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Exotic Pets in Cities Across DuPage County

Naperville, IL