Greenville, NC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Animal Protective Services Division
- Zoning compliance
- Required for the keeping location
- Large constricting snakes
- Locked escape-proof enclosure required
- Venomous reptiles
- Written bite protocol required
- First civil penalty
- $100
Summary
Greenville requires anyone keeping a wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal or reptile, including circuses and animal exhibitions, to first get a permit from the Animal Protective Services Division, pay a Manual of Fees charge, and follow extra state rules for large constricting snakes and venomous reptiles.
(A) The Division is hereby vested with the authority to issue permits for the keeping or maintaining of any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal when, in the opinion of the APS Supervisor, the animal may be kept or maintained without endangering the safety of any person or property. (B) No person, business, or event (e.g., circus, exhibition, show, and the like) shall have or maintain any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal or reptile without first applying to and receiving from the Division a permit to do so, provided that the keeping or maintenance of such animals shall conform to any applicable zoning regulation. Any person, business, or event planning to have or maintain any of the types of animals stated above shall pay a fee for each permit as set out in the Manual of Fees. (C) The Division may require an animal that is subject to the provisions of this section to be properly caged, secured, and maintained, and may revoke any such permit for any violation of state or federal law or this chapter or when, in the opinion of the APS Supervisor, the safety of any person or property is endangered by the keeping of any such animal.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 12-2-17 grants the Animal Protective Services Division authority to issue permits for keeping wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animals when the APS Supervisor decides the animal can be kept without endangering people or property. No person, business, or event, including a circus, exhibition, or show, may keep such an animal or reptile without first applying for and receiving a Division permit, subject to compliance with zoning, and paying the fee set in the Manual of Fees. The Division also issues temporary permits for wild animals or reptiles used in a circus, amusement enterprise, animal exhibition, or trade show, when zoning and other law allow it.
The Division may require caging and securing, and can revoke any permit for a violation of state or federal law or the animal chapter, or whenever the APS Supervisor decides the animal endangers safety. S. Chapter 14, Article 55 to large constricting snakes such as reticulated, Burmese, and African rock pythons, amethystine pythons, and green anacondas: a locked, escape-proof enclosure, clear labeling with scientific and common name and owner information, a written safety and escape-recovery protocol on file with the Division, and immediate notice to police and the Division if the snake escapes.
Venomous reptiles carry the same enclosure, labeling, and notification duties, plus a "Venomous Reptile Inside" label naming the antivenin and a written bite protocol covering emergency contacts and first aid.
Violations & Fines
Criminal violation of Sec. 12-2-17 is a Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4 and G.S. 160A-175, fined $100 to $500. Civil citations escalate from $100 for a first violation to $250 for a second and $500 for a third or later violation within 365 days, served by an APS officer or Greenville police officer and due within five business days to the Financial Services Department, with unpaid amounts recoverable as a debt or through collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep an exotic pet in Greenville?
Can Greenville revoke my exotic animal permit?
What extra rules apply to pythons and anacondas?
What if my venomous reptile escapes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenville
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