Elgin, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

240(D) of the Elgin Municipal Code makes it unlawful to keep, harbor, possess, maintain, or have care or custody in the city of seven categories of animals: (1) any snake, reptile or lizard physically capable of injuring a person by bite, poison, constriction or other means; (2) any lion, tiger, cougar, jaguar, panther, bobcat, mountain lion, lynx, ocelot, leopard or hybrid or similar feline; (3) any wolf, coyote, jackal, fox, wild dog or hybrid; (4) any bear or bison; (5) any rodent over one pound, except guinea pigs; (6) any non-native noncanine animal that normally exceeds two hundred pounds at maturity; and (7) any monkey, gorilla, chimpanzee or similar ape.

The ordinance carves out a narrow exception for properly zoned and constructed zoos, federally licensed exhibits, circuses, animal refuges, and licensed scientific or research laboratories, so a backyard owner gets no relief. Any prohibited animal found in the city is declared a public nuisance under the same subsection and can be apprehended and impounded at any time by a police officer or the animal control officer, independent of any hearing. If the chief of police determines the animal cannot be safely relocated to a licensed entity able to handle it, the chief may order its humane destruction.

240(C) separately outlaws keeping any animal that is ferae naturae or any animal dangerous to the public because of a propensity to injure, and authorizes any person, not just police, to kill a dangerous animal when necessary to protect people or property. 04 runs through the chief of police, police officers, the animal control officer, and any other person the chief or city manager designates, per Sec. 230.