Lincoln, NE Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Any unusual or wild animal
- Zone
- Citywide, corporate limits of Lincoln
- Exemptions
- Zoos, colleges, humane society, wildlife rescues
- Removal deadline
- 11 days after notice
- Citation
- Lincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.020
Summary
Lincoln prohibits owning, keeping, or harboring any unusual or wild animal within city limits, with narrow exemptions for zoos, universities, humane societies, and licensed wildlife rescues.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to own, keep, or harbor any unusual or wild animal within the corporate limits of the City of Lincoln. This section shall not apply to: (1) a public zoo, circus, or carnival that maintains all legally required permits under applicable state or federal law, including applicable rules and regulations of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and federal wildlife agencies; (2) colleges and universities using said unusual or wild animal for research and teaching; (3) a humane society kenneling or boarding impounded unusual or wild animals for Animal Control; (4) any wildlife rescue organizations with appropriate permits from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission that rehabilitate or shelter unusual or wild animals; or (5) authorized individuals sheltering unusual or wild animals belonging to a public zoo which require extensive care or rehabilitation.
b. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, give away, transfer, or import into the City any unusual or wild animals as defined in this title except for a public zoo doing business with another zoo.
Full Breakdown
Lincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.020 bars anyone from owning, keeping, or harboring an unusual or wild animal inside city limits, and separately bans selling, giving away, transferring, or importing one into the city. Exemptions cover licensed zoos, circuses, and carnivals, colleges and universities using the animal for research or teaching, humane societies boarding animals for Animal Control, and permitted wildlife rescue organizations. If the Animal Control Director finds a violation, the animal can be impounded or the owner ordered to remove or destroy it within eleven days of notice; the owner bears all recovery, boarding, and disposal costs.
Violations & Fines
Violating the ban means impoundment or a Director's order to remove or destroy the animal within 11 days, plus the owner pays all recovery, boarding, and disposal costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic pet like a big cat or snake in Lincoln?
What happens if Animal Control finds a prohibited wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska animal ordinances overview
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