Lawrence, KS Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 3-107 flips the presumption: it is unlawful to own any animal in the city unless Section 3-108 excludes it from the ban. The exclusion list runs to 26 categories. Reptiles and amphibians are allowed only within limits: nonvenomous snakes must be under eight feet long and no more than 50 pounds fully grown, and must stay on the owner's premises; nonvenomous lizards must weigh under 50 pounds; turtles are allowed except species protected by state or federal law. Birds are permitted except roosters, turkeys, geese, swans, peafowl, guinea fowl, ostriches, emus and any species under state or federal protection.

Domesticated rodents, ferrets, rabbits, hedgehogs, Vietnamese potbellied pigs, and nonpoisonous fish, invertebrates and small amphibians round out the list. Falconry birds require a separate city clerk permit under Section 3-110. Livestock such as goats, sheep, horses, cows, mules and donkeys are excluded from the general ban only if kept under the Land Development Code's urban agriculture standards or grandfathered under a pre-1992 exception. Anything not on the Section 3-108 list, from big cats to venomous reptiles to primates, is flatly prohibited. Under Section 3-108(c), the municipal court judge may order a prohibited animal confiscated if it poses an immediate danger, and on conviction the judge must order it confiscated and transferred to a licensed rehabilitation or care facility, or released only outside the city.