Milwaukee, WI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Exotic animals banned citywide
- Covers
- Big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles
- Penalty
- Class F: $50–$500 per offense
- Grandfathered pets
- Register within 60 days, keep for life
- Exempt
- Zoos, vets, licensed wildlife rehabilitators
Summary
Milwaukee prohibits keeping, possessing, breeding, selling, transferring, or exhibiting exotic animals, including big cats, bears, primates, crocodilians, and venomous reptiles, anywhere in the city, with narrow exemptions for zoos, vets, and licensed rehabilitators.
PROHIBITED
POSSESSION.
Except as provided in sub. 3, no person may keep,
harbor, possess, breed, sell, transfer, give away,
otherwise transfer possession of, or exhibit an
exotic animal within the city.
3. EXEMPTIONS. This section does
not apply to any of the following:
a. Accredited zoological parks.
b. Veterinary hospitals or clinics
providing temporary medical care.
c. Accredited educational or research
institutions maintaining exotic animals for
academic, scientific, or research purposes.
d. Government agencies acting within
the scope of official duties.
e. Wildlife rehabilitators licensed by the
state of Wisconsin.
f. A humane society, animal shelter, or
animal welfare organization temporarily housing an
exotic animal that has been surrendered,
impounded, or otherwise received for protective
custody, treatment, placement, or transfer,
provided the animal is housed in a manner
approved by the department.
g. Licensed or otherwise lawfully
authorized circuses, exhibitions, educational
programs, research programs, or similar special
events that are limited in duration and conducted
in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and
local laws.
7/14/2026
-216-
4. TEMPORARY
TRANSPORT.
Transportation of an exotic animal through the city
is permitted provided that the animal remains
confined in a secure enclosure at all times and is
Full Breakdown
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 78-5.5 bars anyone from keeping, harboring, possessing, breeding, selling, giving away, or exhibiting an exotic animal within city limits. The code defines exotic animal (§ 78-1-19) to include big cats, bears, non-human primates, crocodilians, venomous reptiles, constricting snakes, monitor lizards, snapping turtles, and wolf, coyote, or fox hybrids not otherwise allowed under state law. Violations are declared a public nuisance subject to seizure. Anyone who legally owned an exotic animal before the ordinance's effective date may keep it for the rest of its life if registered with the health department within 60 days and kept under department-approved containment. Emotional-support designations do not exempt an animal.
Violations & Fines
A Class F offense under Ch. 61: $50–$500 per violation, with each animal or act a separate offense, and default of payment punishable by 3–30 days in jail; illegally kept animals may be seized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet snake or lizard in Milwaukee?
What if I already owned an exotic animal before the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
Compare Milwaukee to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle exotic pets.