Kenosha, WI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

02, the same section that restricts backyard livestock and bees, and it is written broadly: no person, firm or corporation may bring into, keep or maintain under their control any wild animal or any animal which may endanger life or property within Kenosha's limits. The code defines 'animal' as any living, non-human, non-plant thing generally capable of voluntary motion, and defines 'wild animal' to include, without limitation, any animal not indigenous to the North American continent that has a dangerous propensity, sweeping in exotic species like large cats, primates and venomous reptiles regardless of how they are marketed as pets.

Only two exceptions exist. A traveling circus or similar business is exempted if it has structures or facilities the City Humane Officer determines are suitable to safeguard the animals. Separately, a bona fide, accredited school may keep designated animals for educational purposes if it has structures the Health Administrator deems appropriate for safekeeping and for protecting anyone who comes in contact with the animals, and only if the head of the school or school system authorizes keeping those specific animals. Outside those two carve-outs, there is no permit path, unlike the A-1/A-2 agricultural exception available for livestock and bees under the same section; the wild-animal prohibition applies citywide with no zoning escape valve. 09.