Hennepin County, MN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

346.155 POSSESSING REGULATED ANIMALS. Subdivision 1. Definitions.

(e) "Regulated animal" means:

(1) all members of the Felidae family including, but not limited to, lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, and servals, but not including domestic cats or cats recognized as a domestic breed, registered as a domestic breed, and shown as a domestic breed by a national or international multibreed cat registry association;

(2) bears; and

(3) all nonhuman primates, including, but not limited to, lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, marmosets, lorises, and tamarins. Regulated animal includes any hybrid or cross between an animal listed in clause (1), (2), or (3) and a domestic animal and offspring from all subsequent generations of those crosses or hybrids. Subd. 2. Possession of regulated animals. (a) Except as provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person to possess a regulated animal.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (e), a person must not take possession of a regulated animal after January 1, 2005.

(d) Except as provided in paragraph (e), a person must not allow regulated animals in their possession to breed after January 1, 2005. Subd. 4. Requirements. (e) A person who possesses a regulated animal shall prominently display a sign on the structure where the animal is housed indicating that a dangerous regulated animal is on the premises.

(f) A person who possesses a regulated animal must notify, as soon as practicable, local law enforcement officials of any escape of a regulated animal.