Lee's Summit, MO Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 5-5 declares an entire list of species 'dangerous' and prohibits keeping or harboring them within city limits: big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, ocelots, jaguars, cheetahs, margays and mountain lions; Canada lynx and bobcats; jaguarundi; hyenas; wolves and coyotes; nonhuman primates, raccoons, skunks and foxes; and any deadly, dangerous or poisonous reptile. A catch-all clause also lets the City treat any other animal as dangerous 'because of past behavior, violations of this chapter, or the nature of the animal in relation to persons or domestic animals,' so the named list is not exhaustive.

The only carve-out is for a properly maintained and licensed zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital or animal refuge, and even those facilities must first register the animal with the Supervisor of Animal Control. If a registered animal at one of those facilities injures a person or kills a domestic animal without provocation, the Supervisor can order it destroyed or removed from City limits within 48 hours, and the owner may request a hearing before the Chief of Police, the Public Safety Advisory Board chair and the Police Department's Administration Division Commander within five working days of the determination. Section 5-5 separately bans building cages or enclosures for dangerous or poisonous reptiles out of plastic.