New Haven, CT Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 7-2
- Prohibited examples
- bear, alligator, monkey, wolf, coyote
- Enforcement
- DEEP commissioner or municipal authority
- Penalty
- Daily fine, continuing offense
Summary
New Haven bans possessing potentially dangerous wild animals like bears, alligators, monkeys, wolves, and coyotes without authorization; illegal animals can be seized under state and city authority.
Unless otherwise authorized, no person shall possess a potentially dangerous animal, such as a bear, alligator, monkey, wolf, coyote, or others as defined in C.G.S. Section 26-40a, as amended from time to time. Any such animal illegally possessed may be seized and disposed of as determined by the commissioner of energy and environmental protection or other lawfully authorized federal, state, or municipal authority. Any person who violates this provision shall be fined up to the maximum amount authorized by state statutes or this Code. Each violation shall be a separate and distinct offense and in the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.
(Ord. No. 1400, 1-3-06; Ord. No. 1849, 11-8-18)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
New Haven's animal code makes it unlawful to possess a potentially dangerous animal, the ordinance names bears, alligators, monkeys, wolves, and coyotes as examples, unless authorized, tracking the state's dangerous-animal list under C.G.S. § 26-40a (Sec. 7-2). An illegally possessed animal can be seized and disposed of by the state commissioner of energy and environmental protection or another authorized federal, state, or municipal authority. Violations are fined up to the maximum amount state law or the city code allows, and each day the animal remains in someone's possession is treated as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Fined up to the maximum amount allowed under state law or the city code; each day the animal remains in the person's possession counts as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can New Haven residents keep exotic pets like monkeys or snakes?
What happens to an illegally possessed wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Haven
Compare New Haven to another location·View the Connecticut animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle exotic pets.