Flint, MI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned
- Wild, exotic, dangerous animals as pets
- Excluded
- Fowl, ferrets, lab-type rodents
- Grace period
- 30 days to remove animal
- Exempt
- Zoos, sanctuaries, research facilities
Summary
Flint bans keeping wild, exotic, dangerous, or venomous animals as pets citywide, including primates, raccoons, foxes, and big cats, with narrow exceptions for zoos and research facilities.
It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, own or in any way possess within the corporate limits of the City of Flint: (a) Any warm-blooded, carnivorous or omnivorous, wild or exotic animals, dangerous or undomesticated animals which are not of a species customarily used as an ordinary household pet ... including, but not limited to nonhuman primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes and wild and exotic cats; but excluding fowl, ferrets and small rodents of varieties used for laboratory purposes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2016 Code: Local legislation current through Ordinance 3821, passed 3-1-2012).
Full Breakdown
Flint Code § 9-14.4 makes it unlawful to keep, harbor, own, or possess any wild or exotic, dangerous, or undomesticated animal not customarily kept as a household pet, naming nonhuman primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and wild or exotic cats, plus venomous animals and dangerous cold-blooded species like large constrictor snakes, crocodiles, and piranha. Fowl, ferrets, and lab-type small rodents are excluded. Owners of an already-kept prohibited animal get 30 days to remove it from the city; licensed zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves, circuses, and bona fide research facilities are exempt under § 9-14.4.1.
Violations & Fines
Violating the ban is punishable under § 9-14.9 by a fine of $200 to $500, up to 90 days in jail, plus the owner's costs for the animal's seizure and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet fox or raccoon in Flint?
Are pet snakes allowed in Flint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
Compare Flint to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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