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.
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.
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.
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See how Lake County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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