Erie's Codified Ordinances Article 505 addresses dangerous and wild animals through general nuisance and restraint provisions, and the Zoning Ordinance does not list exotic species as a customary residential accessory use. Statewide, the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code at 34 Pa.C.S. Section 2961 et seq. and the Pennsylvania Game Commission's permit regulations at 58 Pa. Code Chapter 147 separately require an Exotic Wildlife Possession Permit for big cats, primates, bears, wolves, and venomous reptiles native to non-PA jurisdictions.
Erie's local enforcement runs through Article 505 of the Codified Ordinances at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/erie/, which addresses dangerous and at-large animals and provides the local nuisance hook for exotic species kept in residential settings. Pennsylvania state law layers a separate and significant requirement on top. The Game and Wildlife Code at 34 Pa.C.S. Section 2961 et seq., implemented through 58 Pa. Code Chapter 147 (https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/058/chapter147/chap147toc.html&d=reduce), classifies certain species as 'exotic wildlife' — including lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, mountain lions, cougars, bears, wolves, hyenas, and venomous reptiles native to non-PA jurisdictions — and requires an Exotic Wildlife Possession Permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The permit includes caging standards, prior-experience requirements, and a minimum two-year apprenticeship for large carnivores. Common household pets such as ferrets, parrots, non-venomous reptiles, rabbits, and most small mammals are not exotic under the state framework and do not need a Game Commission permit, though they may still draw zoning or nuisance review if Erie Code Enforcement treats them as non-customary household animals. Anyone considering an unusual pet should call the Erie Department of Code Enforcement (814-870-1480) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission Northwest Region Office in Franklin (814-432-3187) before purchase.
Keeping a dangerous or wild animal in Erie in violation of Article 505 is a summary offense with fines of $100 to $1,000 plus abatement orders. Possessing exotic wildlife under 34 Pa.C.S. Section 2961 without a Game Commission permit is a separate summary or misdemeanor offense with fines up to $1,500 per animal and seizure by Wildlife Conservation Officers. Animals seized for public-safety reasons are placed with PGC-licensed wildlife sanctuaries at the owner's expense.
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