Greensboro, NC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Bears, lions, tigers, wolves, etc.
- Exotic Permit
- Free permit from Animal Control
- Code Sections
- Sec. 5-11, Sec. 5-26
- State Permit
- NC Restricted Species Permit
Summary
Guilford County Sec. 5-11 and 5-26 regulate exotic animals in Greensboro. Bears, lions, tigers, wolves prohibited. Other exotics need a free Animal Control permit.
Article 55. Regulation of Certain Reptiles.
§ 14-416. Mishandling of certain reptiles declared public nuisance and criminal offense. The intentional or negligent exposure of other human beings to unsafe contact with venomous reptiles, large constricting snakes, or crocodilians is essentially dangerous and injurious and detrimental to public health, safety and welfare, and is therefore declared to be a public nuisance and a criminal offense, to be abated and punished as provided in this Article.
§ 14-417. Regulation of ownership or use of venomous reptiles.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, use, transport, or traffic in any venomous reptile that is not housed in a sturdy and secure enclosure. Enclosures shall be designed to be escape-proof, bite-proof, and have an operable lock.
(b) Each enclosure shall be clearly and visibly labeled "Venomous Reptile Inside" with scientific name, common name, appropriate antivenin, and owner's identifying information noted on the container. A written bite protocol that includes emergency contact information, local animal control office, the name and location of suitable antivenin, first aid procedures, and treatment guidelines, as well as an escape recovery plan must be within sight of permanent housing, and a copy must accompany the transport of any venomous reptile.
(c) In the event of an escape of a venomous reptile, the owner or possessor of the venomous reptile shall immediately notify local law enforcement.
§ 14-417.1. Regulation of ownership or use of large constricting snakes.
(a) As used in this Article, large constricting snakes shall mean: Reticulated Python, Python reticulatus; Burmese Python, Python molurus; African Rock Python, Python sebae; Amethystine Python, Morelia amethistina; and Green Anaconda, Eunectes murinus; or any of their subspecies or hybrids.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, use, transport, or traffic in any of the large constricting snakes that are not housed in a sturdy and secure enclosure.
Full Breakdown
Guilford County Code Chapter 5, Section 5-11 (Confinement and control of inherently dangerous mammals) and Section 5-26 (Exotic animals) regulate exotic pet ownership in Greensboro. Inherently dangerous animals including bears, lions, tigers, panthers, wolves, venomous reptiles, and large constricting snakes are prohibited from being kept as pets. Approved exotic animals that are not classified as inherently dangerous require a free permit from Guilford County Animal Control so the department knows what types of animals are in the home. At the state level, North Carolina requires a Restricted Species Permit from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for possession, importation, transportation, sale, or transfer of certain restricted species. Piranha, walking catfish, and snakehead fish are prohibited statewide. North Carolina does not have a comprehensive statewide exotic pet law; regulation is primarily at the county level under N.C.G.S. 153A-131. Contact Guilford County Animal Control for permit applications and approved species lists.
Violations & Fines
Keeping inherently dangerous animals: violation of Sec. 5-11, subject to penalties under Sec. 5-27. Animal may be seized and impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a pet snake in Greensboro?
What exotic animals are banned in Greensboro?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greensboro
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