Mount Prospect, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 20.207 A lists what no person can possess. Item 6 bars any snake, lizard or other reptile whose species is physically capable of injuring a person by poison, constriction or a disfiguring bite. Item 7 bars any lion, tiger, cougar, panther, bobcat, mountain lion, lynx, ocelot, leopard, or any other similar feline animal, or any hybrid of them. Item 8 bars any wolf, coyote, jackal, fox, wild dog or hybrid of them. Item 9 bars any bear or bison. Item 10 bars any rodent weighing more than one pound, with the exception of guinea pigs. Item 11 bars any other animal which, when full grown, normally attains a weight in excess of two hundred (200) pounds. Item 12 bars any monkey, gorilla, chimpanzee or other similar primate, with an exception for a bona fide service animal or an animal authorized by the state of Illinois as a sanctioned pet. Item 13 bars possessing any dangerous animal if the owner has been found guilty of violating Article IV of the chapter with respect to that animal.

Subsection B gives the animal control official enforcement tools. Each person who possesses, keeps or maintains any wild or nondomesticated animal must, upon demand, furnish proof of compliance with restrictions and permit requirements imposed by state and federal law. The official is authorized to demand surrender of any animal possessed in the absence of that proof, or in violation of village zoning regulations, and the Village can dispose of a surrendered animal as it deems appropriate. The animal control official is the chief of police and any designated agent of the chief.

Subsection C exempts properly zoned, licensed and constructed zoos, animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, pounds, federally licensed scientific or research laboratories, and educational or other licensed institutions.

The same section also bars keeping or harboring live swine, pigs, pigeons, bees, chickens, geese, ducks, fowl, poultry, horses or cattle within the corporate limits, unless done pursuant to the business of providing veterinary or animal hospital services in compliance with village regulations. Section 20.301 lets the animal control official immediately order impoundment of a dangerous animal that is not kept in accordance with Article IV.