Fayetteville, AR Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Wild Pets
- Prohibited (Sec. 92.28)
- Banned
- Primates, big cats, venomous snakes
- Wolf Hybrids
- Included as wild animals
- Exempt
- Indoor pet birds
- State Ban
- Bears, lions, tigers
Summary
Fayetteville bans keeping wild animals as pets: primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes, wolves, coyotes, venomous snakes, and big cats are all prohibited under Sec. 92.28. Display or exhibition of wild animals is barred outside zoos and circuses.
No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet within the corporate limits of the city.
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 92.28, no one may keep a wild animal as a pet within Fayetteville. Chapter 92 defines wild animal broadly: any nonhuman primate, raccoon, skunk, fox, wolf, coyote, poisonous snake, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, or other warm-blooded wild species, plus offspring of wild animals bred with domestic dogs or cats. Keeping such animals for display or exhibition is also prohibited except at zoological parks, performing-animal shows, or circuses. Arkansas separately bans private possession of bears, lions, and tigers statewide. Indoor pet birds such as parrots and parakeets are exempt, and conventional pets are unaffected.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a prohibited wild animal violates Sec. 92.28 and draws fines up to $500 (minimum $50), up to $250 per day for continuing violations, plus impoundment or removal of the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own an exotic pet in Fayetteville?
Are wolf-dog hybrids legal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayetteville
Compare Fayetteville to another location·View the Arkansas animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle exotic pets.