Lake County, IN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Code
- Lake County Code Sec. 90.02(B)(21)
- Rule
- Waiver required; state permit not enough
- Annual waiver fee
- $75 per wild animal
- Signage
- Warning sign at each entrance
- Base fine
- $100 to $1,000
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County bans keeping wild animals without a Director's waiver, even if you hold a state or federal permit. Wild animals include alligators, foxes, big cats, monkeys, wolves, and venomous or constricting snakes. A $75 annual waiver fee applies, plus warning signage at each entrance.
Absent a waiver by the Director, a person shall not own or keep a wild animal, regardless of any state or federal permit allowing the keeping of the animal. This division does not prohibit the treatment of an injured wild animal by a licensed veterinarian or a licensed rehabilitator of wild animals. (Ord. 1280C, passed 10-10-2006) Penalty, see § 90.99
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-14: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 6-9-2026; and State legislation current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Lake County Code Sec. 90.02(B)(21) provides that, absent a waiver by the Director, a person shall not own or keep a wild animal, regardless of any state or federal permit. Section 90.01 defines WILD ANIMAL to include alligators, coyotes, crocodiles, foxes, leopards, lions, lynx, monkeys, non-human primates, panthers, poisonous or constricting snakes, tigers, wolves, and crossbreeds. Treatment of an injured wild animal by a licensed veterinarian or rehabilitator is exempt. A $75 annual wild-animal waiver fee applies. Owners of premises where a wild or dangerous animal is kept must post conspicuous "WARNING: WILD OR DANGEROUS ANIMAL" signs at each entrance with a contact phone number.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a wild animal without a waiver violates Chapter 90 and, per Sec. 90.99, is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000 (up to $2,500 for repeat offenses), each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a monkey or a large snake?
Does a state exotic-animal permit override the county rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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