Fairfax County prohibits keeping wild, exotic, or dangerous animals as pets, consistent with Virginia Code Β§3.2-6582. This includes big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, wolves/wolf hybrids, bears, and most non-domesticated species. Limited reptiles and some exotic birds are allowed.
Virginia Code Β§3.2-6582 prohibits the possession of dangerous wild animals as pets, and Fairfax County Code Chapter 41.1 reinforces and supplements this with additional restrictions. Prohibited species include big cats (lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs), primates (monkeys, apes, lemurs), bears, wolves and wolf hybrids, alligators and crocodiles, venomous snakes (beyond what Virginia's native venomous species rules allow), large constrictors over a certain length, and most wild-caught native wildlife. Permitted exotics generally include common pet store reptiles (bearded dragons, corn snakes, leopard geckos, ball pythons up to 6 feet), tropical fish, domesticated ferrets (rabies-vaccinated), sugar gliders (subject to county review), and exotic birds with legal paperwork. Native Virginia wildlife - even if raised from a young age - cannot be kept as pets without a DWR permit. USDA-licensed educational/exhibit facilities and sanctuaries operate under separate federal rules. Violations can result in seizure of the animal, misdemeanor charges under state law, and potential felony charges for species prohibited under the federal Lacey Act or Endangered Species Act.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County's Zoning Ordinance limits front-yard fences and walls to 4 feet on most residential lots, while side and rear yards may go up to 7 feet. Lots ...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County requires a building permit from Land Development Services for any private pool, spa or hot tub with a surface area greater than 150 sq ft, cap...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County does not allow detached backyard tiny homes on most residential lots. The Zoning Ordinance treats a second dwelling as an Accessory Living Uni...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County treats a carport as a freestanding accessory structure under the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 112), Article 4 use rules and Article 5 dimensional...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County enforces residential pool barriers under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC, 13VAC5-63), which adopts the International Swimm...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County permits Accessory Living Units (ALUs) under Zoning Ordinance Section 4102.7. Interior ALUs (within the principal dwelling) may be approved by ...
See how Fairfax County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.