Lexington, KY Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

1 prohibits 'the keeping or holding of wildlife that have been identified by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resource as inherently dangerous to human health and safety within any area of the urban county,' declaring the conduct unlawful outright rather than subject to permit. The ban reaches any Fayette County resident who tries to keep such an animal as a pet, but the ordinance carves out six specific exemptions: zoological gardens accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, appropriately licensed theatrical exhibits, carnivals, circuses, any authorized wildlife rehabilitator or licensed veterinary hospital treating an injured animal, and federally licensed research institutions.

Animals kept in violation are seized and impounded by the Division of Police and confined in a suitable place, not simply left with the owner pending a hearing. First adopted by Ord. No. 147-94 in 1994 and amended as recently as Ord. No. 90-2005, the section imposes a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500 for each violation, on top of the reasonable costs the city incurs seizing, impounding and confining the animal, and treats every day the violation continues as a separate offense, so a prohibited animal kept for a week can generate seven citations.