Joliet, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

City Code Sec. 6-10(a) makes it unlawful for any person to own, harbor, keep or permit a dangerous animal or primate as defined in the Illinois dangerous animal statute, 720 ILCS 5/48-10, within Joliet, except as that state statute itself provides. Sec. 6-10(b) separately bans exotic animals, which the ordinance defines to include any live alligator, crocodile, caiman, bear, sea mammal, poisonous or venomous snake, any member of the feline species other than a domestic cat (felis domesticus), any member of the canine species other than a domestic dog (canis familiaris), or any other animal requiring a standard of care greater than that needed for domestic farm animals or customary household pets.

Both prohibitions apply everywhere in the city, not just residential zones, and there is no permit or license path that lets a private owner keep a covered animal. The only exception, in Sec. 6-10(d), is for zoological parks and for temporary animal exhibitions or circuses, which by their nature operate under separate state and federal licensing rather than a city permit. The ban was rewritten in its current form by Ord. No. 17547, § 2, adopted December 6, 2016, replacing an earlier version of the section.

Because Sec. 6-10(a) incorporates the state dangerous-animal definition by reference, an animal that Illinois classifies as dangerous under 720 ILCS 5/48-10, such as specified big cats, bears, and venomous reptiles above a certain size, is automatically unlawful to keep in Joliet as well.