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Euclid, OH Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

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

Key Facts

State Law
ORC 935 (2012)
Banned
Big cats, bears, primates
Venomous Snakes
Permit required
Local Code
C.O. 505
Common Pets
Unrestricted

Summary

Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animal Act (ORC 935) bans private ownership of big cats, bears, primates, and venomous snakes. Euclid enforces state law; exotic ownership requires state permit.

(C) "Dangerous wild animal" means any of the following, including hybrids unless otherwise specified:

(1) Hyenas;

(2) Gray wolves, excluding hybrids;

(3) Lions;

(4) Tigers;

(5) Jaguars;

(6) Leopards, including clouded leopards, Sunda clouded leopards, and snow leopards;

(7) All of the following, including hybrids with domestic cats unless otherwise specified:

(a) Cheetahs;

(b) Lynxes, including Canadian lynxes, Eurasian lynxes, and Iberian lynxes;

(c) Cougars, also known as pumas or mountain lions;

(d) Caracals;

(e) Servals, excluding hybrids with domestic cats commonly known as savannah cats.

(8) Bears;

(9) Elephants;

(10) Rhinoceroses;

(11) Hippopotamuses;

(12) Cape buffaloes;

(13) African wild dogs;

(14) Komodo dragons;

(15) Alligators;

(16) Crocodiles;

(17) Caimans, excluding dwarf caimans;

(18) Gharials;

(19) Nonhuman primates other than lemurs and the nonhuman primates specified in division (C)(20) of this section;

(20) All of the following nonhuman primates:

(a) Golden lion, black-faced lion, golden-rumped lion, cotton-top, emperor, saddlebacked, black-mantled, and Geoffroy's tamarins;

(b) Southern and northern night monkeys;

(c) Dusky titi and masked titi monkeys;

(d) Muriquis;

(e) Goeldi's monkeys;

(f) White-faced, black-bearded, white-nose bearded, and monk sakis;

(g) Bald and black uakaris;

(h) Black-handed, white-bellied, brown-headed, and black spider monkeys;

(i) Common woolly monkeys;

(j) Red, black, and mantled howler monkeys. "Dangerous wild animal" does not include a domesticated animal that is considered livestock as defined in section 901.70 of the Revised Code.

Source: ORC 935View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

After the 2011 Zanesville incident, Ohio enacted ORC Chapter 935 banning private ownership of dangerous wild animals including lions, tigers, bears, elephants, non-human primates, crocodiles, and venomous snakes. Pre-existing owners had to register and obtain permits. New private ownership is prohibited. Euclid C.O. Chapter 505 references and enforces the state law. Common pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, non-venomous reptiles, hamsters) are unrestricted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a ball python in Euclid?
Yes. Non-venomous snakes are not restricted under ORC 935.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Euclid

All Euclid rules

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