Hendricks County, IN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

07(E) of the Hendricks County Code, adopted under Ordinance 2000-30 with amendment by Ordinance 2018-12, states that no wild animal may be kept within the county limits except under such conditions as shall be fixed by the County Planning and Zoning Department, and the state. Chapter 91's definitions section cross-references the county's separate zoning ordinance for the term itself, defining WILD ANIMAL as defined by the County Zoning Ordinance, so the operative standard for what counts as a wild animal is set outside Chapter 91.

This default-ban structure means any resident wanting to keep an exotic or wild species must first secure the conditions the Planning and Zoning Department and applicable state law require, rather than relying on a general county pet-keeping right. 06(A)(4) acknowledges wild and large exotic animals can end up impounded, setting a $50 impoundment fee plus hauling and maintenance charges of $20 per day if such an animal is picked up, with unclaimed animals eligible for adoption or disposal after three days. This provision applies only to unincorporated Hendricks County; Danville and the county's incorporated towns set their own exotic-animal rules.