El Paso Chapter 7.04 and Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 43 prohibit keeping dangerous wild animals such as large cats, bears, primates, and venomous reptiles without state exotic permits.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code and Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 (Subchapter E) require registration and specific caging for dangerous wild animals including lions, tigers, leopards, non-human primates, crocodiles, and alligators. El Paso prohibits keeping these animals in residential zones entirely regardless of state permit. Small exotics like geckos, bearded dragons, ferrets, and parrots are allowed without permit. Venomous snakes (rattlesnakes, coral snakes) require special state permits and are strongly discouraged at residences. Wildlife native to Texas captured from the desert requires Texas Parks and Wildlife permits.
Illegal exotic: Class A misdemeanor, up to $4,000 and one year jail plus seizure. State permit violations add separate penalties up to $10,000.
El Paso, TX
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See how El Paso's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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